Multiproduct Disassembly Line Balancing With Carbon-Saving Constraints: A Discrete Whale Optimization Algorithm

In recent years, advanced manufacturing has accelerated product upgrading, resulting in an increasing number of end-of-life (EOL) products. Disassembly lines have been established to recycle EOL products, contributing to both economic benefits and environmental protection. The challenges of disassembly line balancing (DLB) have garnered significant attention from both industry and academia. In this article, a two-phase optimization solution that considers both disassemble profits and carbon savings is designed. To solve the proposed DLB problem, this article utilizes the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and makes improvements to it. Remarkably, the experimental results highlight the superior performance of the proposed algorithm, even outperforming industry standard optimization tools such as CPLEX. This research contributes significantly to existing technology by providing a robust optimization tool tailored specifically for DLB problems, thus offering a promising avenue for advancing sustainable manufacturing practices.