Operation of Flexible Multiproduct Modular Continuous Polymerization Plants

摘要

In this work, the operation of modular fl exible continuous polymerization plants is investigated. For a benchmark problem (six products with an overall yearly demand of 20,000 t, two continuous production lines with modules that can be moved between the lines) that is defi ned by industrial speciality polymer producers, the optimal campaign planning problem is solved, minimizing the cost of cleaning and waste production. The results are compared to the production of the same portfolio of products in a batch plant. The results show that the changeovers between different products and production parameters lead to a loss of production capacity and additional costs. For long production campaigns (demand satisfaction on a monthly basis), these costs and losses are comparatively small, whereas for short demand satisfaction periods (one week) they are signifi - cant. On the other hand, longer demand satisfaction periods require a signifi cant amount of product inventory and hence storage facilities.