Path and equipment allocation for multiple, concurrent processes on networked process plant units

doi:10.1016/0098-1354(95)00224-3

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Volume 20, Issue 9, September 1996, Pages 1081-1087

https://doi.org/10.1016/0098-1354(95)00224-3 Get rights and content

Abstract

The path and equipment allocation problem for batch processes is defined and cast in the context of graph theory. Networks of interconnected process equipment are represented by directed graphs. Inter-unit material transfer paths and equipment allocations are found using a shortest path algorithm and subsequently isolated to prevent cross-contamination. The results are applicable to real-time implementation in operating plants.

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Citation Excerpt :
Since machine takes such an important role in production and construction, more and more attentions have been taken into the research on machine management in manufacturing and construction industries [4]. Early works include Uthgenannt’s [5] research about path and machine allocation for multiple, concurrent processes on networked process plant units. Yurtsever [6] developed a software named as Machine Management System to monitor and track machine states, restrictions and preventative maintenance schedules in real time.
This paper proposed a discrete time optimal control model in which machine failure time is modeled assuming a Weibull distribution and machine productivity is regarded as a fuzzy variable for dealing with a dynamic machine allocation problem (DMAP) in manufacturing and construction industries. The aim is to maximize total production or construction throughput when uncertainties such as machine breakdowns are taken into account. A failure probability-work time equation is presented to describe the relationship between machine failure probability and mean time to work. To transform the uncertain optimal control model into a deterministic one, the expected value model (EVM) was introduced for forming an equivalent crisp model. The fuzzy variables in the model are also defuzzified by using an expected value operator with an optimistic–pessimistic index. Then a number of lemmas and theorems are presented and proved to formulate the theoretical algorithm so that the crisp model of the DMAP can be solved. Three actual construction and production projects are used as practical application examples. The theoretical algorithm results for the three project examples are compared with a particle swarm optimization approach and a genetic algorithm method, which demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of our optimization method.
Generation of batch operating procedures for multiple material-transfer tasks with Petri nets
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They utilized a combination of artificial intelligence techniques, pattern matching and path search algorithms to identify all feasible routes for transferring a designated material from one storage tank to another in the plant. Uthgenannt (1996) used digraph models to describe the network of interconnected process equipments. The material transfer routes and the required operating procedures can be obtained using a graph search method.
The aim of this study is to develop a systematic method on the basis of Petri net models to automatically generate operating procedures for multiple material transfer tasks in any batch process. The system model of the pipeline network used for such tasks is built by assembling the component nets representing piping elements, i.e., fragments, valves, pumps and/or compressors, according to the network configuration. All possible material-transfer routes and the corresponding operating procedures are then identified in a constrained system net, which can be constructed by imposing a set of control rules to the system model. A realistic example is presented at the end of this paper to demonstrate the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed approach.
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Cleaning pipeline networks is a routine operation in almost every chemical plant. Our aim is to develop a systematic strategy to generate the needed operating procedures with Petri-net models. Specifically the proper material-transfer routes are selected on the basis of the Petri-net representation of all possible paths. The equipment models are then attached to this path model according to network configuration to build a system model. By connecting the system model with a net representing the schedule manager, a recipe can be produced accordingly to achieve a multi-route sequential/concurrent schedule. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated with a realistic example.
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Path and equipment allocation for multiple, concurrent processes on networked process plant units

Abstract

Computers chem. Engng

Computers chem. Engng

Computers chem. Engng

Computers chem. Engng

Computers chem. Engng

A combined MILP and logic-based approach to the synthesis of operating procedures for batch plants

Chem. Engng Communs

Shortest path algorithms: taxonomy and annotation

Networks