Patent ID: 8180615

Claim:
A computer-based method for simulating at least one batch manufacturing process within a batch manufacturing facility, comprising: (1) identifying a high-level process step of said batch manufacturing process, said high-level process step including a sequence of unit operations, wherein each said unit operation has an identifier code, wherein each unit operation includes tasks; (2) selecting a set of scheduling cycles for said sequence of unit operations; (3) defining an offset for each of said scheduling cycles; (4) referencing a master process parameters table using said identifier codes to obtain operational parameters and calculation sets for each of said sequence of unit operations; (5) generating a process time line using said operational parameters, said calculation sets, said set of scheduling cycles, and said offsets; (6) generating a material consumption table using said operational parameters, said calculation sets, said set of scheduling cycles, said offsets and said process time line, whereby said material consumption table is used for summarizing the date/times that various solutions are required by their respective process streams in a batch manufacturing process; and (7) determining an equipment turn-around-time (ETT) associated with solution storage equipment in the batch manufacturing facility based upon said material consumption table.