A Novel Approach to Address Process Plant Layout based on a Bacterial Genetic Optimization Algorithm
The process plant layout is a determining factor for the efficient and secure operation of it. In this sense, define the best position of each process unit contributes to reducing transport costs and the explosion and fire risk. This issue has been addressed in the past by different methods like expert criteria, simulation, and optimization. In this contribution, a hybrid bacterial genetic optimization algorithm for process plant layout is introduced, which solves a mathematical model that minimize interconnection cost and land cost. In addition, the model takes into consideration facilities dimensions, minimal distances among facilities, and minimum distance up to the property boundary. The performance evaluation was carried out with a case of study of literature, and the results expose the advantages of this proposal in performance and time.