Importance

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Abstract

A method of optimizing the operation of a process so that desired products are produced at minimum cost. The process has a plurality of process components, with each component having a run status and an idle status. The process has available more than one input and produces more than one output. The process is controlled by a computer which is provided with a mathematical model of the process, which model includes a model of each of its components. The model for each process component includes a logic variable, which logic variable can have only two values, 0 and 1, and which represent the run or idle status of each process component. The computer, when predetermined conditions arise, solves a mixed integer equation to determine the optimum state of the process at a given time to produce the desired outputs, at desired rates and at minimum cost; and, in doing so, determines the value of the logic variable for each component. When a change of status of a process component from run to idle or idle to run is required to place the process in its optimum state, control signals to cause such change of status of process components are applied to such components.

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First Claim