Gurobi supports the complex strategic planning, supply chain management, and daily operations of chemical and petroleum manufacturers, marketers, and distributors. Optimization enables decision-makers to improve planning, scheduling, and production processes within refineries that impact day-to-day business operations and long-term asset investment strategies.
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Dive deep into sample models, built with our Python API.
In this example, we’ll demonstrate how you can use mathematical optimization to optimize the output of a refinery. You’ll learn how to generate an optimal production plan that maximizes total profit, while taking into account production capacity and other restrictions. More information on this type of model can be found in example # 6 of the fifth edition of Modeling Building in Mathematical Programming by H. P. Williams on pages 258 and 306 – 310. This modeling example is at the intermediate level, where we assume that you know Python and are familiar with the Gurobi Python API. In addition, you should have some knowledge about building mathematical optimization models.
Learn MoreCompanies across numerous industries – including petrochemical refining, wastewater treatment, and mining – use mathematical optimization to solve the pooling problem. In this example, we’ll guide you through the process of building a mixed-integer quadratically-constrained programming (MIQCP) model of a pooling problem using the Gurobi Python API and show you how to generate an optimal solution to the problem with the Gurobi Optimizer. This modeling example is at the advanced level, where we assume that you know Python and the Gurobi Python API and that you have advanced knowledge of building mathematical optimization models. Typically, the objective function and/or constraints of these examples are complex or require advanced features of the Gurobi Python API.
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Mathematical optimization uses the power of math to find the best possible solution to a complex, real-life problem. It can be thought of as a way to make the smartest (and most optimal) decision despite having a multitude of variables and challenges.
Mathematical optimization models contain three components:
1. Objective Function: This is the end goal that you want to achieve.
2. Decision Variables: These represent the items involved that you can control and change in order to reach your objective.
3. Constraints: These are the rules and/or limitations that you must follow.
To help put the idea of mathematical optimization into perspective, imagine that you’re a delivery company that’s trying to minimize the amount of time it takes to complete your delivery route.
Objective Function
Your objective function is simply to minimize the amount of time it takes to complete your delivery route. This might be driven by goals such as minimizing vehicle usage to reduce carbon emissions or saving on labor and fuel expenses.
Decision Variables
A delivery company can adjust key aspects of its operations to achieve its objective. For instance, changing the route taken could reduce travel distance and time, while altering the time of day to start deliveries could help avoid peak traffic, ensuring faster and smoother operations.
Constraints
The constraints that you are limited by can range from the number of deliveries that you’re required to make, the times that you’re required to deliver by and the locations you’re delivering to. These factors cannot be changed as they are a core part of the business’ services.
Descriptive and predictive analytics show you what has happened in the past, why it happened, and what’s likely to happen next. But to decide what to do with that information, you need human input—which can introduce bias.
With mathematical optimization, you receive a decision recommendation based on your goals, constraints, and variables alone. You can, of course, involve human input when it comes to whether or not to act on that recommendation. Or you can bypass human input altogether and automate your decision-making.
80% of the world’s leading companies use mathematical optimization to make optimal business decisions. It provides stakeholders with decisions that are data-driven and free from subjective human bias. Mathematical optimization has countless real-life uses, such as managing supply chains to minimize costs, planning production schedules in manufacturing, and improving staff scheduling to improve efficiency.
For example, Air France uses it to build the most efficient schedule for its entire fleet to save on fuel and operational costs whilst reducing delay propagation. You can read more about this here.
Regardless of the industry that you work within, if you have a complex problem that needs resolving, Gurobi Optimization could be the solution that you’ve been seeking.
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