An Object-Oriented Graphical Modeler for Optimal Production Planning in a Refinery

A visually interactive graphical modeling approach for process oriented production systems, with hidden generation of complex optimization models for production planning is presented. The concept is demonstrated with a linear programming prototype developed for a petroleum refinery, AREMOS. The system lets the users build a graphical model of the refinery through its interactive visual interface, accepts production-specific data for its components, and finally, internally generates and solves the mathematical programming model without any interaction with the user. The approach allows the continued use of optimization models without requiring any mathematical programming background, as the generation of mathematical models is hidden and automatic, therefore maintenance free: updating graphical production system models is enough for renewing internal optimization models.