Patent ID: 7107112
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for simulating and scheduling a batch process manufacturing facility, comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of unit operations, wherein each of the sequence of unit operations has an identifier code; selecting a set of scheduling cycles for each of the sequence of unit operations; referencing a master table using the identifier code to obtain operational parameters for each of the sequence of unit operations; devising one or more discrete tasks for each of the sequence of unit operations; generating a block flow diagram using the sequence of unit operations and the operational parameters; and generating a process time line using the operational parameters, the discrete tasks, the block flow diagram, the set of scheduling cycles for each of the sequence of unit operations, wherein the process time line is used as a tool for batch processing and facility design, wherein devising one or more discrete tasks for each of the sequence of unit operational parameters includes: defining one or more design cycle levels that comprise one or more execution options, each of the design cycle levels are associated with one of the discrete tasks; testing the execution options with multiple iterations whether each of the execution cycles is executed (a) only during the first iteration of a design cycle level; (b) during each iteration of a design cycle level; (c) only during intermediate iterations of a design cycle level, excluding the first and last iterations; or (d) only during the last iteration of a design cycle level; and including or excluding an adjusted task duration for each the discrete tasks associated with each of the sequence of unit operations in the process time line depending on the results of testing the execution options.