Methodology for Optimization of Process Integration Schemes in a Biorefinery under Uncertainty

Abstract

The uncertainty has a great impact in the investment decisions, operability of the plants and in the feasibility of integration opportunitiesin the chemical processes. This paper, presents the steps to consider the optimization of process investment in the processes integration under conditions of uncertainty. It is shown the potentialities of the biomass cane of sugar for the integration with several plants in a biorefinery scheme for the obtaining chemical products, thermal and electric energy.  Among the factories with potentialities for this integration are the pulp and paper and sugar factories and other derivative processes. Theses factorieshave common resources and also havea variety of products that can be exchange between them so certain products generated in a one of them can be raw matter in another plant. The methodology developed guide to obtaining of feasible investment projects under uncertainty. As objective function was considered the maximization of net profitablevalue in different scenariosthat are generated from the integration scheme.