Ecological optimization of pollution control equipment and planning from a simulation perspective†

Abstract

Once pollution control equipment is installed in a factory (or at another pollution source site) it needs to be adjusted for optimal performance. Typically trying to decide the optimal settings for several control knobs on the machine in question can give rise to a nonlinear multivariate optimization problem. It can be difficult to solve with theoretical techniques. Therefore, multi-stage Monte Carlo simulation is tried here on a hypothetical problem of this kind along with other pollution control problems. Additionally a discussion of the multi-stage simulation theory and other potential applications to pollution control from a management and planning perspective is presented. The multi stage Monte Carlo optimization theory is further demonstrated with some geometric and statistical illustrations. Also the generality of the multi stage approach to other areas of modeling and simulation is featured. †This is a lengthened version of a paper titled “Ecological Optimization of Pollution Control Equipment” of the 13th European Simulation Symposium in Marseille, France, October 2001, by the Society for Computer Simulation.