Sequential methodology for integrated optimization of energy and water use during batch process scheduling

Though commonly encountered in practice, energy and water minimization simultaneously during batch process scheduling has been largely neglected in literature. In this paper, we present a novel framework for incorporating simultaneous energy and water minimization in batch process scheduling. The overall problem is decomposed into three parts – scheduling, heat integration, and water reuse optimization – and solved sequentially. Our approach is based on the precept that in any production plant, utilities (energy and water) consumption is subordinate to the production target. Hence, batch scheduling is solved first to meet an economic objective function. Next, alternate schedules are generated through a stochastic search-based integer cut procedure. For each resulting schedule, minimum energy and water reuse targets are established and networks identified. As illustrated using two well-known case studies, a key feature of this approach is its ability to handle problems that are too complex to be solved using simultaneous methods.