In this paper an object-oriented representation of a continuous process pla
nt is viewed as a directed multi-graph-based pictorial model. The associate
d modelling language has two components, the first describing the structure
of production system in a pictorial manner and the second defining its beh
aviour. The structural-functional description realized through this languag
e supports a significant reduction and so the initial multi-graph can be ob
served by a sequential graph. The context makes possible the natural develo
pment of the proposed cooperative production planning method. This method i
s mainly based on a horizontal decomposition, every department of the plant
cooperates in order to obtain a good global plan. Coordination is made by
the plant managers. The departments will solve multi-objective linear progr
amming problems. In this process a large number of goals are set, including
those expressed by experts. A specific rule-based computing technique is p
rovided. This technique uses a rule constructor for expert knowledge acquis
ition and two facts categories defined by basic planning data and data gene
rated by the mathematical solving method. Therefore, a production plan with
high-quality technical and economic features can be constructed fast. (C)
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