Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin go to home page university of texas at austin college of engineering U T direct
Victor M. Zavala
Assistant Professor starting August 2010

Dr. Victor Zavala
Office: Mailing Address:
Phone: (412) 728-8375 Argonne National Lab
Fax: (512) 471-7060 -
Email: vzavala@mcs.anl.gov 9700 South Cass Ave, Bldg. 221
UT Mail: C0400 Argonne, IL 60439

Research Group Site

Educational Qualifications:
B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City (2004)
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University (2008)
Director's Postdoctoral Fellow, Argonne National Laboratory (2008-2010)

Research:

Our research is focused on the development of computational strategies able to tackle diverse issues arising in the design and operation of complex engineering systems. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information. Some specific research activities are:

  • Mathematical Modeling Techniques:We are interested in the development of first-principles dynamic models for separation, polymerization and hybrid energy systems. The ultimate objective is to understand complex time-varying phenomena affecting their overall performance (e.g. kinetic and transport limitations, persistent aging) and to use this knowledge to come up with more efficient designs and operating policies.
  • Optimization-Based Operations: We are interested in the development of advanced control technology able to dictate the operation of engineering systems through detailed first-principles dynamic models. The ultimate objective of this new generation of control systems is to capture long-term trends of market prices and availability of resources, and to fold them directly into low-level operational tasks. An important component of this research is the development of forecasting and uncertainty quantification techniques, and large-scale optimization algorithms.

Selected Publications:

  • Zavala, V. M.; and Biegler, L.T. Optimization-Based Strategies for the Operation of Low-Density Polyethylene Tubular Reactors: Moving Horizon Estimation. Comp. Chem. Eng. In Press, 2008.
  • Zavala V.M.; Laird, C.D. and Biegler, L.T. A Fast Moving Horizon Estimation Algorithm Based on Nonlinear Programming Sensitivity. Journal of Process Control, 18 (9), pp. 876-884, 2008.
  • Zavala, V. M.; and Biegler, L.T. The Advanced Step NMPC Controller: Optimality, Stability and Robustness. Automatica, Accepted for Publication, 2008.
  • Zavala, V. M.; Laird, C.D. and Biegler, L.T. Interior-Point Point Decomposition Approaches for Parallel Solution of Large-Scale Nonlinear Parameter Estimation Problems. Chem. Eng. Sci. 63 (19), pp. 4834-4845, 2008.
  • Zavala, V. M.; Laird, C.D. and Biegler, L.T. Fast Implementations and Rigorous Models: Can Both be Accommodated in NMPC?. Int. J. Robust Nonlinear Control. 18 (8), pp.800-815, 2008.
  • Zavala, V. M. and Biegler, L.T. Large-Scale Parameter Estimation in Low-Density Polyethylene Tubular Reactors. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45 (23), pp. 7867 -7881, 2006.
  • Zavala, V. M.; Flores-Tlacuahuac, A. and Vivaldo-Lima, E. Dynamic Optimization of a Semi-Batch Reactor for Polyurethane Production. Chem. Eng. Sci. 60 (11), pp. 3061-3079, 2005.

 

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