Simultaneous synthesis, sizing and scheduling of multiproduct batch plants

Abstract: "Merging of various processing tasks and using parallel equipment in multiproduct batch plants can help to reduce the overall idle time in the processing units. When this increased efficiency of operations is anticipated together with the scheduling at the design stage significant savings in the capital cost of batch plants are possible. This paper addresses the structural design problem of multiproduct batch plants for deciding which tasks to merge in what units, in what units to use parallel equipment, and the sizing of these units while simultaneously accounting for the production scheduling. MINLP models are proposed that take into account the various complex economic trade-offs involved in these design decisions. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the scope of this model."