Evaluation of mixed integer linear programming solvers when applied to a biogas reactor system model

Abstract: Optimization of a biogas reactor system, to maximize its profits, is a natural step to become a more competitive electricity source. This is done by first formulating mixed integer linear program (MILP), of an abstract biogas reactorsystem, which is then implemented with parameters to simulate a real biogas reactor system. Then to solve a MILP problem, a solver is used. Depending on what solver is used to solve the problem, the run-time and solution may differ a lot. That is the reason why FarmBioTech AB is interested in the evaluation of the solvers Cplex, Gurobi, Glpk, and Cbc when applied to a biogas reactor system model. The solvers are evaluated by checking if they manage to find feasible solutions that are at most 1% from the optimal solution within a run-time limit of one hour. Both Gurobi and Cplex managed to find quality solutions within the given run-time limit, while Glpk and Cbc did not.