Review of Real Time Optimization in the Chemical Process Industries

Real Time Optimization (RTO), or On‐Line Optimization, is the continuous reevaluation and alteration of operating conditions of a process so that the economic productivity of the process is maximized subject to operational constraints. The purpose of this paper is to review the available literature in the area of real time optimization, with particular attention to the methodologies being used at present. The general components which make up a real time optimizer, the process model, objective function, optimization algorithm, data reconciliation and gross error detection, are also reviewed. Finally implementation of real time optimizers is covered including user interfacing and on‐going maintenance of the system.