Mathematical Foundations of Refinery Simulation

This knowledge hub contains articles covering the mathematical foundations of refinery simulation, including mathematical modeling, optimization, thermodynamics, material and energy balances, numerical methods, and engineering calculations used in the Petroleum Refining Library (PRL). More detailed information is available in our Solutions section.

First published: July 26, 2026

Linear Programming in Petroleum Refining

Linear Programming (LP) is one of the fundamental methods of mathematical optimization used to solve resource allocation problems under linear constraints. This article explains the core concepts of LP, including decision variables, objective functions, constraints, the Simplex Method, LP solvers, industrial applications, and the limitations of linear programming.

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