A decomposition algorithm for the simultaneous batching and scheduling of multistage batch facilities

MONTAGNA, JORGE M.; FUMERO, YANINA; CORSANO, GABRIELA

Barcelona

Congreso; EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON COMPUTER AIDED PROCESS ENGINEERING; 2017

In this work, the simultaneous batching and scheduling problem of multistage batch plants is addressed using mathematical programming. The proposed model can handle multiple orders per product with different due dates, variable processing times, zero-wait transfer policy, and sequence-dependent changeover times. Given the plant configuration, the equipment utilization maximum and minimum capacities and the total required amount of each order, the proposed approach determines the number and size of batches for each customer order, the assignment of batches and their sequence on each unit, and the timing of selected batches, in order to minimize the production and changeover costs. In order to enhance the computational performance of the simultaneous optimization, a solution method based in a decomposition scheme is developed that enables to generate near optimal solutions or the optimal solution of the integrated problem, with reasonable computational effort.