Optimal design of a multi-product batch plant

Abstract A convex MINLP model for the preliminary design problem of a multi-product batch plant is developed. The plant model consists of several batch and semicontinuous stages. The parallel units on a batch stage can be operated in-and/or out-of-phase while all units on a semicontinuous stage are operated in-phase. The optimal location and size of intermediate storage is determined. A numerical example from the literature is solved with DICOPT ++.