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Using column generation to solve a coal blending problem

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Auray, Stéphane [CREST-Ensai] de Wolf, Daniel [CREST-Ensai] Smeers, Yves [UCL]

In this paper, we formulate and solve a real life coal blending problem using a Column Generation Approach. The objective of the model is to prescribe optimal mixes of coal to produce coke. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer program. It involves various types of constraints arising from technical considerations of the blending process. The model also incorporates nonlinear constraints. It results in a large-scale problem that cannot be solved by classical operations research methods. Defining three heuristic methods based on column generation techniques, this paper proposes reasonable solutions for the industry.

Document type Article de périodique (Journal article) – Article de recherche
Access type Accès libre
Publication date 2014
Language Anglais
Journal information "RAIRO - Operations Research" - Vol. 49, no.1, p. 15-37 (2014)
Peer reviewed yes
Publisher E D P Sciences (Les Ulis)
issn 0399-0559
e-issn 1290-3868
Publication status Publié
Affiliation UCL - SSH/LIDAM/CORE - Center for operations research and econometrics
Keywords Column generation ; coal blending
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Bibliographic reference Auray, Stéphane ; de Wolf, Daniel ; Smeers, Yves. Using column generation to solve a coal blending problem. In: RAIRO - Operations Research, Vol. 49, no.1, p. 15-37 (2014)
Permanent URL http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/166440