Utilization of harmony search algorithm to optimize a cascade for separating multicomponent mixtures

In this paper, a new code, Multicomponent Isotope Separation Cascade Code (MISCC-HS), is developed to calculate the optimal parameters of a cascade for separating multicomponent mixtures. The Harmony Search, HS, algorithm for finding the optimum solution is implemented and developed in the MISCC-HS. Minimizing the total flow rate of a cascade with the prescribed external isotope concentration has been studied. To demonstrate the MISCC-HS capability in converging to the near optimal cascade, the optimization results for the separation of xenon isotopes are compared with the results for the R-cascade that optimized by virtual component variation. MISCC-HS results represent the cascade with fewer centrifuges than the R-cascade. Furthermore, the ability of MISCC-HS is evaluated with other optimization algorithms. Suitable alignment of the results indicates that the use of the HS for this problem guarantees the calculation of the optimal parameters.