THE DESIGN OF MULTIPRODUCT BATCH PLANTS WITH PROCESS PERFORMANCE MODELS

A model is presented for the optimal design of multiproduct batch plan ts, which uses process performance information. The process descriptio n resembles the familiar posynomial model for sizes and cycle times. W hile the former approaches considered constant values for the size and cycle time factors, they are considered here as functions of a set of process variables. The results obtained show significantly improved s olutions with this model, when typical chemical engineering unit opera tions are involved. Operating costs are naturally included.