Optimal Design of a Trigeneration Plant using Fuzzy Linear Programming with Global Sensitivity Analysis on Product Price Uncertainty
Ivan Henderson V. Gue
a,b
,
Aristotle T. Ubando
a
,
Kathleen B. Aviso
c
,
Raymond R. Tan
c
a Mechanical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
b Mechanical Engineering Department, Far Eastern University – Institute of Technology, P. Paredes Street, 1015 Manila, Philippines
c Chemical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Abstract: A trigeneration system consists of interdependent technologies for power generation, heat generation, and the generation of cooling effect which leads to the overall improved thermodynamic efficiency of the system. However, the optimal design of a trigeneration system also depends on the product price variability of the energy streams which are highly dependent on the price of the raw materials and the product demand. Taking into consideration expected price fluctuations of streams, it is then possible for plant owners and engineers to evaluate the investment risk associated with the design capacity of a trigeneration system. The study proposes the use of a 2k factorial design of experiments together with fuzzy linear programming to conduct a price sensitivity analysis in the optimal design of a trigeneration system. This type of analysis can provide plant owners information on possible configurations for optimal capacity given uncertainty in the price parameters.