Hybrid method integrating agent-based modeling and heuristic tree search for scheduling of complex batch processes

作者：Chu Yunfei; You Fengqi^*; Wassick John M

来源：Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2014, 60: 277-296.

DOI：10.1016/j.compchemeng.2013.09.004

• Complex batch scheduling
• Hybrid method
• Agent-based modeling
• Heuristic search
• Mixed integer programing

We propose a hybrid method integrating agent-based modeling and heuristic tree search to solve complex batch scheduling problems. Agent-based modeling describes the batch process and constructs a feasible schedule under various constraints. To overcome myopic decisions of agents, the agent-based simulation is embedded into a heuristic search algorithm. The heuristic algorithm partially explores the solution space generated by the agent-based simulation. Because global information of the objective function value is used in the search algorithm, the schedule performance is improved. The proposed method shares the advantages from both agent-based modeling and mixed integer programing, achieving a better balance between the solution efficiency and the schedule performance. As a polynomial-time algorithm, the hybrid method is applicable to large-scale complex industrial scheduling problems. Its performance is demonstrated by comparing with agent-based modeling and mixed integer programing in two case studies, including a complex one from The Dow Chemical Company.

• 出版日期2014-1-10
• 单位西北大学