An improved formulation for scheduling multipurpose batch plants using synchronous slots

Abstract

A simpler and more efficient continuous-time mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation was presented. A multipurpose batch plant or production facility that produces multiple products using a number of shared production units that constrain the plant operation was considered. A basic formulation for scheduling multipurpose plants, in which all units are batch units, and no resources other than materials and equipment are required for tasks, is also presented. The model is much simpler and faster and eliminates the big-M constraints which improves MILP formulations.