Evolution of unit-specific event-based models in batch process scheduling

Scheduling is a decision making activity which involves efficient management of all resources such as time, equipment, storage, and materials; and optimal sequencing of different tasks over a given time horizon. In general there are specific objectives to be met such as maximizing profitability or productivity of a manufacturing facility minimizing total cost or makespan time. On the basis of the time horizon considered, process scheduling has been broadly classified into three types: (i) short-term scheduling (time horizon in days), (ii) medium-term scheduling (time horizon in weeks), and (iii) long-term scheduling (time horizon in months). In this work, the focus is on short-term scheduling of batch plants. Extensive reviews were written by Floudas and Lin (2004), Mendez et al. (2006), Shaik et al. (2006), Pitty and Karimi (2008), Sundaramoorthy and Maravelias (2011), Maravelias (2012), and Harjunkoski et al. (2014), who presented different developments and associated challenges in the scheduling of batch plants.