Abstract: Systems and methods which implement surrogate (e.g., approximation) models to systematically reduce the parameter space in an optimization problem are shown. In certain embodiments, rigorous (e.g., higher fidelity) models are implemented with respect to the reduced parameter space provided by use of surrogate models to efficiently and more rapidly arrive at an optimized solution. Accordingly, certain embodiments build surrogate models of an actual simulation, and systematically reduce the number of design parameters used in the actual simulation to solve optimization problems using the actual simulation. A multi-stage method that facilitates optimization of decisions related to development planning and reservoir management may be provided. Iterative processing may be implemented with respect to a multi-stage optimization method. There may be uncertainty in various parameters, such as in reservoir parameters, which is taken into account according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention is a computational system to generate feasible marine transportation schedules given a proposed bulk material supply chain. The decision support tool will fulfill the objectives and scope defined above. The technology employed will require (a) the use of mathematical programming modeling techniques (mixed integer linear programming) to mathematically formulate the business problem, and (b) advanced proprietary solution methods to produce solutions satisfying all constraints of the mathematical model while optimizing an objective function. The decision support tool has the following capabilities: Read input data, Generate feasible bulk material ship Schedule, Evaluate bulk material ship Schedule with User-defined Objective Function, Allow Case comparison, Graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying input data and displaying results.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement surrogate (e.g., approximation) models to systematically reduce the parameter space in an optimization problem are shown. In certain embodiments, rigorous (e.g., higher fidelity) models are implemented with respect to the reduced parameter space provided by use of surrogate models to efficiently and more rapidly arrive at an optimized solution. Accordingly, certain embodiments build surrogate models of an actual simulation, and systematically reduce the number of design parameters used in the actual simulation to solve optimization problems using the actual simulation. A multi-stage method that facilitates optimization of decisions related to development planning and reservoir management may be provided. Iterative processing may be implemented with respect to a multi-stage optimization method. There may be uncertainty in various parameters, such as in reservoir parameters, which is taken into account according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention is a computational system to generate feasible marine transportation schedules given a proposed bulk material supply chain. The decision support tool will fulfill the objectives and scope defined above. The technology employed will require (a) the use of mathematical programming modeling techniques (mixed integer linear programming) to mathematically formulate the business problem, and (b) advanced proprietary solution methods to produce solutions satisfying all constraints of the mathematical model while optimizing an objective function. The decision support tool has the following capabilities: Read input data, Generate feasible bulk material ship Schedule, Evaluate bulk material ship Schedule with User-defined Objective Function, Allow Case comparison, Graphical user interface (GUI) for specifying input data and displaying results.

Abstract: An enzymatic transesterification method for preparing a margarine oil having both low trans- acid and low intermediate chain fatty acid content is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a transesterification reaction mixture containing a stearic acid source material and an edible liquid vegetable oil, transesterifying the stearic acid source material and the vegetable oil using a 1-, 3-positionally specific lipase, and then finally hydrogenating the fatty acid mixture to provide a recycle stearic acid source material for a recyclic reaction with the vegetable oil. Also described is a counter-current method for preparing a transesterified oil.