In this paper, an improved hybrid differential evolution-estimation of distribution algorithm (IHDE-EDA) is proposed for nonlinear programming (NLP) and mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) models in engineering optimization fields. In order to improve the global searching ability and convergence speed, IHDE-EDA takes full advantage of differential information and global statistical information extracted respectively from differential evolution algorithm and annealing mechanism-embedded estimation of distribution algorithm. Moreover, the feasibility rules are used to handle constraints, which do not require additional parameters and can guide the population to the feasible region quickly. The effectiveness of hybridization mechanism of IHDE-EDA is first discussed, and then simulation and comparison based on three benchmark problems demonstrate the efficiency, accuracy and robustness of IHDE-EDA. Finally, optimization on an industrial-size scheduling of two-pipeline crude oil blending problem shows the practical applicability of IHDE-EDA.