Computer Aided Methods In Optimal Design And Operations (series On Computers And Operations Research)

Series on Computers and Operations Research Vol. 7 Computer Hided Methods in Editors I D L Bogle University College London, UK J Zilinskas Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Lithuania \[p World Scientific NEW JERSEY • LONDON • SINGAPORE • B E I J I N G ' S H A N G H A I • H O N G K O N G • TAIPEI • C H E N N A I Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. 5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224 USA office: 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601 UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. COMPUTER AIDED METHODS IN OPTIMAL DESIGN AND OPERATIONS Series on Computers and Operations Research — Vol. 7 Copyright © 2006 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the Publisher. For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher. ISBN 981-256-909-X Printed in Singapore by World Scientific Printers (S) Pte Ltd Preface This book contains papers presented at the bilateral workshop of British and Lithuanian scientists "Optimal process design" held in Vilnius, Lithuania from 15th to 17th of February, 2006. The workshop was supported by the British Council through the INYS programme. The workshop was organized by UCL (University College London), UK, and the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Lithuania. The meeting was co-ordinated by Professor A. Zilinskas and Dr J. Zilinskas from the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, and Professors E. S. Fraga and I. D. L. Bogle from UCL. The British Council International Networking for Young Scientists Programme (INYS) brings together young researchers from the UK and other countries to make new contacts and promote the creative exchange ideas through short conferences. Mobility for young researchers facilitates the extended laboratory in which all researchers now operate: it is a powerful source of new ideas and a strong force for creativity. Through the INYS programme the British Council helps to develop high quality collaborations in science and technology between the UK and other countries and shows the UK as a leading partner for achievement in world science, now and in the future. The INYS programme is unique in that it brings together scientists in any priority research area and helps develop working relationships. It aims to encourage young researchers to be mobile and expand their knowledge. The homepage of the INYS supported workshop "Optimal Process Design" is available at http://www.mii.lt/inys/. The workshop was divided into four sections: General Methodologies in Design, Design Applications, Visualization Methods in Design, and Operations Applications. Twenty two talks were selected from twenty seven submissions from young UK and Lithuanian researchers. Professor V vi Computer Aided Methods in Optimal Design and Operations C. A. Floudas from Princeton University, USA, gave an invited lecture. Some review lectures were also given by the other members of the scientific committee. This book contains review papers and revised contributed papers presented at the workshop. All papers were reviewed by leading scientists in the field. We are very grateful to the reviewers for their recommendations and comments. We would like to thank the Brit