Abstract
A batch processing production scheme using mobile vessels has been created by decomposing functions of unit operations in the conventional batch processing plant from the viewpoint of operational tasks and reorganizing the batch process as a sequence of operational tasks. This production scheme, called a pipeless batch plant, is expected to be used in the coming generation because production can be accomplished in a flexible manner. The dynamics of this plant are very complex because it includes many design problems which require solving; such as determining the number of vessels, stations and AGVs, layout of stations, vessel moving rules and job scheduling.
In this paper, the system concept and required system components are reviewed first. Then methods for modeling and simulation of the complex system are proposed to analyze the system performances. The simulation system developed entails the modeling of a real plant, its simulation and evaluation of subsystems.
