Automated Petri-Net Modelling for Batch Production Scheduling

The control of batch processes poses difficult issues as these processes are neither continuous nor discrete, but have the characteristics of both. ISA society introduced a multi-part S88 standard where the first part [1] defines the models and terminology for batch plants and control systems. S88 provides a framework for the development of technologies that not only support control activities of batch processes but also management activities, such as scheduling. This is illustrated in [14] where a generic framework is defined for interpreting a multi-purpose/product batch plant in terms of S88 constructs for scheduling purposes.