Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R52312/01
Title:	Global Optimisation: From Theoretical Foundations to Engineering Tool.
Principal Investigator:	Pantelides, Professor CC
Other Investigators:	Adjiman, Professor CS
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	BASF BOC BP
Department:	Chemical Engineering
Organisation:	Imperial College London
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 January 2002	Ends:	31 December 2004	Value (£):	260,456
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Design of Process systems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Given the importance of finding the global solution for many scientific and engineering problems, we will focus on deterministic spatial branch-and-bound algorithms (sBB). The work will combine theoretical and algorithmic developments in order to solve large-scale mixed-integer nonlinear problems, and smaller time-varying problems. A critical theoretical issue in this context is the construction of valid and tight convex relaxations of the non-convex problems. We will undertake fundamental work on problem formulation and generic convex relaxation strategies, using tools such as symbolic manipulation, interval arithmetic and differential inequalities. This theoretical work will be complemented by the implementation and testing of the proposed algorithms.The efficiency of the overall sBB algorithm will be ensured through the development of several analysis tools which will exploit problem structure in order to choose branching variables, tighten variable bounds and eliminate regions of the solution space through convexity and optimality tests. This work is essential if we are to solve large-scale problems of industrial relevance. Further improvements of the algorithm will result from the solution of literature test problems and case studies derived from research projects involving the investigators and members of the industrial consortium of the Centre for Process Systems Engineering. An industrial steering committee has been set up to ensure the relevance of the research and provide suitable case studies.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.imperial.ac.uk