Computing Optimal Operation Schemes for Multi Batch Operation of Chemical Plants

We describe a methodology for optimal controller construction for chemical batch plants. The emphasis lies on the problem of running multiple batches. We consider a layered design and solution to the above problem, in particular with a lower layer realised in PLCs and a higher layer realised on arbitrary computer systems (usually PCs), such that the lower layer ooers to the higher layer a collection of atomic process operations. Then safe operation is a concern of the lower layer while optimisation and scheduling is a concern of the higher layer mostly. We formalise these concepts and apply them to the case study of a student's batch plant at the university of Dortmund. Using several algo-rithmic approaches from real time veriication, we were able to compute optimal schedules for this plant, which improve over the previously used ad hoc schedules.