Using column generation to solve a coal blending problem

Auray, Stéphane;de Wolf, Daniel;Smeers, Yves
(2014) RAIRO - Operations Research — Vol. 49, n° 1, p. 15-37 (2014)

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Authors
  • Auray, StéphaneCREST-Ensai
    Author
  • de Wolf, DanielCREST-Ensai
    Author
  • Smeers, YvesUCLouvain
    Author
Abstract
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.
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Auray, S., de Wolf, D., & Smeers, Y. (2014). Using column generation to solve a coal blending problem. RAIRO - Operations Research, 49(1), 15-37. https://doi.org/10.1051/ro/2014033 (Original work published 2014)