Nonlinear Blend Scheduling via Inventory Pinch-based Algorithm using Discrete- and Continuous-time Models

This work uses multi-period, inventory pinch-based algorithm with continuous-time model (MPIP-C algorithm1) for scheduling linear or nonlinear blending processes. MPIP-C decomposes the scheduling problem into (i) approximate scheduling and (ii) detailed scheduling. Approximate scheduling model is further decomposed into two parts: a 1st level model which optimizes nonlinear blend models (with time periods delineated by inventory pinch points), and a 2nd level multi-period mixed-integer linear programming model (which uses fixed blend recipes from the 1st level solution) to determine optimal production plan and swing storage allocation, while minimizing the number of blend instances and product changeovers in the swing tanks. The 3rd level computes schedules using a continuous-time model including constraints based on the short-term plan solution. Nonlinear constraints are used for the Reid vapor pressure in our case studies. Excellent computational performance is illustrated by comparisons with previous approach with discrete-time scheduling model

Dynamic hybrid simulation of batch processes driven by a scheduling module

Simulation is now a CAPE tool widely used by practicing engineers for process design and control. In particular, it allows various offline analyses to improve system performance such as productivity, energy efficiency, waste reduction, etc. In this framework, we have developed the dynamic hybrid simulation environment PrODHyS whose particularity is to provide general and reusable object-oriented components dedicated to the modeling of devices and operations found in chemical processes. Unlike continuous processes, the dynamic simulation of batch processes requires the execution of control recipes to achieve a set of production orders. For these reasons, PrODHyS is coupled to a scheduling module (ProSched) based on a MILP mathematical model in order to initialize various operational parameters and to ensure a proper completion of the simulation. This paper focuses on the procedure used to generate the simulation model corresponding to the realization of a scenario described through a particular scheduling

Comparative study of different approaches to solve batch process scheduling and optimisation problems

Effective approaches are important to batch process scheduling problems, especially those with complex constraints. However, most research focus on improving optimisation techniques, and those concentrate on comparing their difference are inadequate. This study develops an optimisation model of batch process scheduling problems with complex constraints and investigates the performance of different optimisation techniques, such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Constraint Programming (CP). It finds that CP has a better capacity to handle batch process problems with complex constraints but it costs longer time

Response of Fresh Food Suppliers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Large European Retailers

This article analyses new supply chain management (SCM) strategies of the largest retail distribution chains in Europe within the context of differing sustainability concepts and approaches. An analysis is carried out of the strategic plans of such retailers, as well as recent developments in the sector. We begin by identifying the priority actions of retailers and then evaluating, by means of a survey, how small horticultural marketing firms (mainly cooperatives) in southeast Spain respond to the needs of these retailers. Subsequently, an analysis is carried out on these small marketing firm exporters to identify the relative weight which they assign to the variables assessed, while also considering the existing relationships between said weighted variables and business profits. Our results show that retailers tend to establish more simplified supply chains (that is, shorter and more vertical), essentially demonstrating their interpretation of a sustainable supply chain. In contrast, horticultural marketing firms have concentrated more on tactical and operational issues, thereby neglecting environmental, social and logistics management. Thus, their success rate in meeting the sustainability demands of their customers can be considered medium-low, requiring a more proactive attitude. Improved and collaborative relations, and the integration of sustainability concepts between suppliers (marketing firms) and their clients could contribute to successfully meeting sustainability demands. From the point of view of the consumer, close supplier–retail relationships have solved food safety issues, but the implementation of sustainability in other supply chain activities and processes is a pending issue. We propose strategic approximation and collaboration to bridge the gap between the varying sustainability demands in the supplier–retail relationship within perishable supply chains. Although this article specifically addresses fresh vegetable supply chains, the results may be extrapolated to other agri-food chains with a similar structure

Suggestions to Improve Lean Construction Planning

The Last Planner System® has been one of the most popular lean construction tools that offers a solution to tackle the problems of production management on construction sites. Since its inception almost 20 years ago, construction companies across the world have implemented Last Planner with reported success. However, even as Last Planner was originally designed to address some shortcomings of the CPM method, a particular shortcoming – namely task continuity was not addressed directly. Also, excepting PPC and Reasons for Non Completion charts, there are no explicit visual tools offered by the Last Planner system. On the other hand, Line of Balance based approaches intrinsically support the consideration of task continuity, and offer a basic visual management approach in schedule representation. With some exceptions, Line of Balance is seen as a special technique applicable only in linear or repetitive work based schedules. The authors suggest that i) there is a need for a robust theory of planning and scheduling and ii) there is a need for a more suitable approach that addresses critical aspects of planning and scheduling function for example by integrating Line of Balance and Last Planner to provide a more robust support for construction scheduling

Many-Sources Large Deviations for Max-Weight Scheduling

In this paper, a many-sources large deviations principle (LDP) for the transient workload of a multi-queue single-server system is established where the service rates are chosen from a compact, convex and coordinate-convex rate region and where the service discipline is the max-weight policy. Under the assumption that the arrival processes satisfy a many-sources LDP, this is accomplished by employing Garcia's extended contraction principle that is applicable to quasi-continuous mappings. For the simplex rate-region, an LDP for the stationary workload is also established under the additional requirements that the scheduling policy be work-conserving and that the arrival processes satisfy certain mixing conditions. The LDP results can be used to calculate asymptotic buffer overflow probabilities accounting for the multiplexing gain, when the arrival process is an average of \emph{i.i.d.} processes. The rate function for the stationary workload is expressed in term of the rate functions of the finite-horizon workloads when the arrival processes have \emph{i.i.d.} increments.Comment: 44 page

Optimisation of work flow

AeroSpace Technologies of Australia (ASTA) is a supplier of aircraft components for several of the world's major aircraft manufacturers. Its anticipation of a substantial increase in demand has led to concern as to its ability to satisfy customer imposed schedules. ASTA's main concern is scheduling at its five autoclaves. The autoclaves, which are large pressurised ovens in which components are cured before non destructive testing and final assembly, appear to be the bottlenecks in ASTA's manufacturing process. ASTA came to the Australian Mathematics-in-Industry Study Group (MISG) with the objective of developing an optimised loading plan for the autoclaves to improve their utilisation while meeting demand for final components. This report discusses the results of an intensive three day study by the MISG group working on the ASTA problem. Its findings were that: • Modifying the way in which Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) is used may usefully increase autoclave utilisation. • A single product which will account for 60% of factory hours could and should be scheduled separately. • It is feasible and very helpful to group products into a small number of sets with common autoclave processing requirements. • Integer programming models modelling the production line show considerable promise and should be developed further

Global supply chains of high value low volume products

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