DEVELOPING AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF AN ALUMINUM SMELTER INCORPORATING SUB-MODELS WITH DIFFERENT TIME BASES AND LEVELS OF AGGREGATION

In this paper an integrated production model of an aluminium smelter i s discussed. The core model, i.e., the model involving the largest tim e base and highest level of aggregation of the production process, is a nonlinear bilevel programming problem. A number of smaller intermedi ate product modelling type mixed integer sub-models involving smaller time bases and lower levels of aggregation of the production process a re important components of the overall integrated production model, It is shown that in order for the core integrated model of the smelter t o be able to be specified with respect to some capacities, etc., and f or the results of the integrated model to be implemented, these sub-mo dels are necessary. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.