A simulation study of logistics activities in a chemical plant

Abstract

This article describes an application of discrete-event simulation to study logistics activities in a chemical plant. Most chemical production involves continuous flow of materials, such as liquid, gas or solid through the manufacturing and logistics processes. Some simulation issues in this area are conceptualizing production operations for simulation, discretization of continuous processes and building adequate level of detail in the models. The purpose of this study is to determine the required capacity of logistics operations to allow continuous operations of a chemical manufacturing plant. The application has been used to provide critical decision support. The value of the simulation study is not only the simulation model itself but also the process of building it. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.