Supply chain optimization of batch chemical plants comprising continuous flexible process networks

The problem of optimal management of multipurpose and multiproduct batch plants (MPBP) and their complexes in the chemical industry has been studied. The work was focused on the merging of multipurpose plants into corporations aimed at achievement of sustainable results of the unified system. In particular, the merging of pharmaceutical plants that exhibit specific features and the relevant problems of optimal performance has been targeted. The main objective solved is formulation of a planning strategy and schedules of multipurpose chemical plants, while accounting for the basic commercial requirements. A strategy, based on the decomposition approach, grounded on a two-stage optimal control task of the multipurpose system, has been proposed. Stage I considers definition of product portfolios corresponding to each individual plant of the complex. The feasibility of the suggested approach and its mathematical background in solving the first stage of the strategy are demonstrated by an example approximation of reality, based on software generated by MATLAB version 6.50.