Modelling decision support systems using conceptual constraints: linking process systems engineering and decision making models

This paper presents the use of a Conceptual Constraint (CC) Domain to systematize the construction of Decision Making Models (DMMs). The modelling systematics include the integration between the CC Domain and production systems as well as an identification procedure which contains some steps aimed at constraint identification using the CC Domain. The CC Domain consists of different modelling elements such as Conceptual Constraints (generic constraint types), Conceptual Components (pieces of a constraint), and Conceptual Component Elements (pieces of a conceptual component that may be connected to production systems). In this instance, the CC Domain is integrated with the Process Systems Engineering (PSE) Domain as a production system domain. The PSE Domain contains information from the multi-level functional hierarchical in an enterprise and it will be used to cover a wide range of scenarios related to hierarchical integration of DMMs. In addition, an integration step between the CC and PSE Domains is illustrated. The focus of the work is to show how these models should be developed in order to be properly integrated, and how they are used by different functionalities with an identification procedure.Postprint (author's final draft

Integrated game-theory modelling for multi enterprise-wide coordination and collaboration under uncertain competitive environment

In this work, an integrated Game Theory (GT) approach is developed for the coordination of multi-enterprise Supply Chains (SCs) in a competitive uncertain environment. The conflicting goals of the different participants are solved through coordination contracts using a non-cooperative non-zero-sum Stackelberg game under the leadership of the manufacturer. The Stackelberg payoff matrix is built under the nominal conditions, and then evaluated under different probable uncertain scenarios using a Monte-Carlo simulation. The competition between the Stackelberg game players and the third parties is solved through a Nash Equilibrium game. A novel way to analyze the game outcome is proposed based on a win–win Stackelberg set of “Pareto-frontiers”. The benefits of the resulting MINLP tactical models are illustrated by a case study with different vendors around a client SC. The results show that the coordinated decisions lead to higher expected payoffs compared to the standalone case, while also leading to uncertainty reduction.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Application of industrial symbiosis principles to the management of utility networks

Utility exchanges between different plants have shown to produce large energy savings, extending the potential advantages of Energy/Process Integration through Industrial Symbiosis principles. Systematic approaches to determine such exchanges in industrial networks have been already proposed, although some of them are only applicable to specific situations and some others introduce the figure of a central authority. However, assuming such a figure in non-cooperative situations may restrict the economic benefit of some companies involved, thus discouraging their participation and preventing eventual agreements. The aim of this work is to develop an optimization model that allows analyzing the different symbiosis alternatives in different conflicting situations, even without the presence of any authority. Scenarios inspired by Game Theory have been considered. The problem has been modelled using a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation and its capacities are illustrated through a particular case from the literature. Results show that the method allows establishing utility exchanges between different plants, which can improve the energetic, economic and environmental efficiency of all of them, as well as the whole set. Considering cooperative scenarios may allow determining solutions producing total energy savings and cost reductions, but without taking the specific interests of individual companies into account. On the other hand, considering non-cooperative scenarios ensures desirable outcomes from the eventual agreements for each company. Furthermore, the model is able to identify the economic barriers of the companies for participating, thus, being a useful and applicable tool that may improve decision-making support for managing utility networks in such situations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Towards automatic construction of domain ontologies: Application to ISA88 and assessment

Process Systems Engineering has shown a growing interest on ontologies to develop knowledge models, organize information, and produce software accordingly. Although software tools supporting the structure of ontologies exist, developing a PSE ontology is a creative procedure to be performed by human experts from each specific domain. This work explores the opportunities for automatic construction of domain ontologies. Specialised documentation can be selected and automatically parsed; next pattern recognition methods can be used to extract concepts and relations; finally, supervision is required to validate the automatic outcome, as well as to complete the task. The bulk of the development of an ontology is expected to result from the application of systematic procedures, thus the development time will be significantly reduced. Automatic methods were prepared and applied to the development of an ontology for batch processing based on the ISA88 standard. Methods are described and commented, and results are discussed from the comparison with a previous ontology for the same domain manually developed.Postprint (published version

Scenario-based dynamic negotiation for the coordination of multi-enterprise supply chains under uncertainty

A novel scenario-based dynamic negotiation approach is proposed for the coordination of decentralized supply chains under uncertainty. The relations between the involved organizations (client, provider and third parties) and their respective conflicting objectives are captured through a non-zero-sum and non symmetric roles SBDN negotiation. The client (leader) designs coordination agreements considering the uncertain reaction of the provider (follower) resulting from the uncertain nature of the third parties, which is modeled as a probability of acceptance function. Different negotiation scenarios are studied: (i) cooperative, and (ii) non-cooperative and (iii) standalone cases. The use of the resulting models is illustrated through a case study with different vendors around aPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Improving automation standards via semantic modelling: Application to ISA88

Standardization is essential for automation. Extensibility, scalability, and reusability are important features for automation software that rely in the efficient modelling of the addressed systems. The work presented here is from the ongoing development of a methodology for semi-automatic ontology construction methodology from technical documents. The main aim of this work is to systematically check the consistency of technical documents and support the improvement of technical document consistency. The formalization of conceptual models and the subsequent writing of technical standards are simultaneously analyzed, and guidelines proposed for application to future technical standards. Three paradigms are discussed for the development of domain ontologies from technical documents, starting from the current state of the art, continuing with the intermediate method presented and used in this paper, and ending with the suggested paradigm for the future. The ISA88 Standard is taken as a representative case study. Linguistic techniques from the semi-automatic ontology construction methodology is applied to the ISA88 Standard and different modelling and standardization aspects that are worth sharing with the automation community is addressed. This study discusses different paradigms for developing and sharing conceptual models for the subsequent development of automation software, along with presenting the systematic consistency checking methodPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Targeting economic and environmental benefits associated with the integration of regeneration units in water systems

Water treatment is traditionally seen as an "end-of-pipe" solution to deal with contaminated water satisfying discharge regulations at a minimum expense. However, the reuse of treated water as regenerated water is a promising strategy to counteract water scarcity. This approach to transform waste into resources is motivated by the circular economy paradigm. This study presents a mathematical programming approach to target both the environmental and economic benefits of water systems by introducing additional regeneration units to close the loop. In addition to water users and authorities, the approach also considers operators and dealers, which are revealed as key stakeholders. Hence, the feasible region of the regeneration units design specifications is determined and visualized through a multi-objective optimization approach targeting the systems operating cost and freshwater consumption. Its application is demonstrated on a benchmark case study from the literature, revealing a potential economic benefit of 37.5% and a freshwater reduction of 80.9% over the case without regeneration units. Furthermore, we show that a cooperative exchange strategy leads to higher benefits compared to the solutions presented in the literature. Finally, we demonstrate how the barrier plots introduced in this work can be used by different stakeholders in the water market to support their decision-making.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Negotiations provider-client for supply chains coordination under competitiveness

Current tactical models of Supply Chain s (SC ) associate the conflicts among independent SCs with the uncertain behavio u r of external echelons (third parties). Although the trend now arises to solve these conflicts using multi - objective opti mization and game theory, typical analytical models do not consider the benefits of uncertainty reduction obtained when a supply/demand contract is agreed, which can be model l ed as the probability of acceptance of solutions with reduced benefits, where lie s precisely the novelty of this work . Accordingly, this work proposes a win - win scenario - based negotiation approach, for the case of decentralized multi - site and multi - product SCs in a highly competitive environment. Different price scenarios, offered by t he leader SC, are analyzed for the negotiation item, resulting in different MINLP tactical models, which are illustrated using a case study that coordinates different suppliers’ SCs with an industrial production/distribution SC in a global scenario. The ne gotiation scenario resulting from maximizing each SC profit proves to be the most adequate, leading to higher global profitsPostprint (published version

Decentralized supply chains coordination under uncertain competitiveness

The coordination of decentralized multi - site multi - product manufacturing SCs is achieved through Scenario - Based Negotiation s (SBN s ) based on expected win - win principles in an uncertain competitive environment . Based on the non - symmetric roles of t he different actors , the client (SC leader ) is supposed to propose coordination contract s according to its best expected conditions , taking into account the uncertain reaction of the provider ( follower ). This uncertain reaction is modeled as a probability of acceptance , computed according to the overall scenario conditions, which include the presence of third parties . Different negotiation scenarios are analyzed considering i) Standalone, ii) Cooperative, and iii) Non - Cooperative cases . The resulting MINLP tactical models are illustrated using a case study with different providers ( follower SCs ) around a client ( SC leader ) interacting in a global decentralized scenario. The Non - Cooperative Negotiation Scenario ( nCNS ) proves to identify the situation with , hi gher independent profit expectations , while cooperation would lead to higher overall profit . Moreover, the proposed approach show s the importance of considering the uncertainty associated with the response of the follower s to the leader's decision - making, resulting from a wider knowledge of its optionsPostprint (published version

Batch process scheduling optimization of multiproduct plants under simultaneous environmental and economical considerations

This work aims at analyzing the significant environmental issues associated to production process scheduling. The implementation of a LCA for a given process or product requires the gathering of data regarding process environmental interventions (e.g. raw material consumption, uncontrolled emissions and waste generation). This set of data is organized in a life cycle inventory (LCI) which is the basis for the environmental impact calculation, as specified in the ISO 1404X series. In this work we aim at generating the required process LCI by means of a mathematical programming model. Multicriteria optimization of a mathematical process model representation is considered to obtain the optimal production schedules from both economical and environmental points of view.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version