Simulation approach to the design and operation of multiproduct batch plants

SALOMONE, H.E.; MONTAGNA, J.M.; IRIBARREN, O.A.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN

INST CHEMICAL ENGINEERS

Año: 1997 vol. 75 p. 427 - 437

0263-8762

This paper presents a strategy for the design of multiproduct batch plants that permits the use of detailed dynamic models to represent the stages involved in the process. The use of base case simulations at the decoupled solution of the modules into which the plant is decomposed yields a strategy that iterates on dynamic simulations and optimization steps. The merits of such a strategy are robustness, reliability, reuse and full exploitation of already developed technologies. The results obtained so far are encouraging. It is possible to handle rigorous models that take into account the tradeoffs among the different decision variables, the stages and the products. This makes it possible to arrive at conclusions and to evaluate alternatives not approached in the past. Different scenarios and applications of this approach are analyzed.