JPH10118896A - Schedule preparation support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily correct a schedule of a plant under operation by providing a means which inputs and edits an operation schedule by moving job labels from a preparation position to a Gantt chart on a scope. SOLUTION: A Gantt chart display part 3 displays a Gantt chart on a monitor scope, receives an input of job labels and an instruction of editing from an input and edit part 5, and automatically corrects and displays the arrangement of the job labels so as to satisfy a prescribed constraint including the first term successive processing conditions between respective jobs. And it automatically implements the initial arrangement of respective job labels on the Gantry chart, and the correction of the schedule prepared already.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a Gantt chart displayed on a screen for a batch-continuous process in which a product produced by a batch process is temporarily stored in a buffer facility and then subjected to a predetermined process in a continuous process. The present invention relates to a schedule creation support device capable of creating an operation schedule of the batch-continuous process by inputting and editing an operation schedule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a plant using a so-called batch-continuous process, a product produced by a batch process is temporarily stored in a buffer facility and then subjected to a predetermined process in a continuous process. Examples include the following. (1) There is a large variation in the processing time for each batch and type. (2) The upper limit of the buffer equipment fluctuates due to the influence of the product concentration and the like. (3) The state of filling the product storage tank after the continuous process is changed due to a type change or a trouble. (4) The throughput of the continuous process fluctuates due to equipment trouble or the like. (5) The production plan itself is frequently changed. Due to these characteristics, the operation of a chemical plant or the like using the above-described batch-continuous process is often not performed according to the initial schedule, and it is necessary to constantly correct the schedule even during the operation of the plant. In order to create a schedule in a chemical plant or the like using the above-described batch-continuous process, conventionally, a card-shaped job label (representing the execution period of each job) is arranged on a board such as a whiteboard. A method of creating a Gantt chart displaying an operation schedule has been adopted. This method has the advantage that it is easy to grasp the created schedule because the Gantt chart is used, and the plan can be easily modified because the job label can be moved and the length can be changed freely. ing.

[0003]

However, the method using the Gantt chart on the board as described above has the following problems. In preparing the operation schedule, the product storage amount of the buffer equipment is determined based on the arrangement of the batch process and the continuous process while satisfying predetermined constraints such as overlap prevention conditions and sequential processing conditions between jobs. Since it is necessary to arrange each job label while always calculating, there is a problem that it takes considerable skill to perform these operations accurately, and it takes time to create. In addition, although the schedule can be freely modified as described above, there is also a problem that it is troublesome because it is a manual operation. From the above, the need to develop a system that allows anyone to easily create a schedule using a computer has increased. However, as described above, the schedule of a chemical plant or the like using a batch-continuous process needs to be constantly revised even during the operation of the plant, so that the schedule is automatically set based on the initial condition setting. Using the automatic creation system that creates
Every time a correction is made, it is necessary to start over from the initial condition setting, which is rather inefficient. In order to easily and efficiently perform the above-described schedule correction, a system that implements the same processing procedure on a computer as the conventional method using a Gantt chart on a board to support a schedule creation work performed by an operator. However, it seems to be the most suitable at the moment. By the way, many systems for creating and editing a schedule using a Gantt chart on a computer have already been proposed. However, most of them did not presuppose that the schedule was modified during the operation of the plant as described above. For example, the Gantt chart display / edit processing device proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-325043 has a function of editing a created schedule, but the schedule can be easily or automatically changed according to the current plant operation status. There is no function to fix this. In these systems, the created schedule can be edited only by simple operations on the screen, but it is necessary to prepare schedule data etc. separately at the time of initial placement of job labels.
It was not possible to do everything from creating a schedule to editing it by operating only on the screen. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily correct a schedule during plant operation, and to perform all schedule creation and editing operations only on a screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a schedule creation support device capable of easily and efficiently creating a schedule for anyone.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a batch-continuous process in which a product produced by a batch process is temporarily stored in a buffer facility and then subjected to a predetermined process in a continuous process. Gantt chart display means for displaying on a screen a Gantt chart in which the operation schedules of a batch process and a continuous process are represented by the arrangement of job labels representing individual jobs, and the Gantt chart displayed on the Gantt chart display means An input / editing means for inputting and editing an operation schedule using a label; and a storage amount of the buffer equipment based on an operation schedule of the batch process and the continuous process displayed on the Gantt chart of the Gantt chart display means. Calculation of buffer storage amount to calculate and display graph on screen An attribute value table storage means for storing, as an attribute value table, a default value of an attribute value for each product type of the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process; Automatically creating a job label by referring to the attribute value table stored in the attribute value table storage means.
The input / edit means is capable of inputting / editing the operation schedule by moving a job label created by the job label automatic creation means from a creation position on a screen onto the Gantt chart. It is configured as a schedule creation support device characterized by the following. The default value of the attribute value stored in the attribute value table storage means can be arbitrarily changeable.

[0005] Further, the schedule creation support device includes:
Operating data acquisition means for acquiring operation data indicating a current operation state of the batch-continuous process, wherein the Gantt chart display means generates a new operation schedule based on the operation data acquired by the operation data acquisition means. It is also possible to create an initial condition or update an already created operation schedule. Further, when the operation schedule is input / edited by the input / editing means, the Gantt chart display means automatically corrects and displays the arrangement of the job labels so as to satisfy predetermined constraints. Is also good. At this time, the predetermined constraint conditions include conditions for preventing the overlapping of the job labels, conditions for sequential processing between the processes, an upper limit of the storage capacity of the buffer equipment calculated by the buffer storage capacity calculation / display means, and / or Alternatively, it may be possible to include any of the lower limit prevention condition and the constraint condition of the job interval of the continuous process. Further, it is possible to edit the operation schedule by changing the attribute values of the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process.

[0006]

In the schedule creation support device according to the present invention,
Default values of attribute values for each product type of the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process are stored in advance in an attribute value table storage unit as an attribute value table, and these values can be arbitrarily changed. When creating a new operation schedule, first, operation data indicating the current operation state of the batch-continuous process is acquired by the operation data acquisition means, and the initial state of the operation schedule is acquired by the Gantt chart display means based on the operation data. Is placed. In the creation of the schedule subsequent to the above-mentioned initial state arrangement, the job label is automatically created by the job label automatic creation means by referring to the attribute value table just by specifying the job by the operator. The created job label is moved to the Gantt chart by a simple operation such as dragging with a mouse by the input / editing means. Therefore, anyone can easily create an operation schedule, and all operations can be performed only on the screen. Further, it is also possible to easily edit the job label already arranged on the Gantt chart in response to various changes by using the input / edit means. For example, by simply changing the attribute values for each product type of the batch process, buffer equipment, and continuous process, the length and position of the job label are automatically changed, and the associated operation schedule is automatically re-set accordingly. Edited. As a result, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the attribute value for each job.

In addition, when inputting and editing the operation schedule as described above, the Gantt chart display means controls the conditions for preventing the overlapping of job labels, the sequential processing conditions between the processes, the buffer storage amount calculation and display means. The arrangement of the job labels is automatically corrected and displayed so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition including a condition for preventing the storage amount of the buffer facility from exceeding the upper limit and / or lower limit being exhausted, which is calculated by the above. Therefore, the worker is released from the work while being aware of the above-mentioned constraints. At any time during the operation schedule input / edit, the buffer storage amount calculation /
Based on the operation schedules of the batch process and the continuous process displayed on the Gantt chart by the display means, the stored amount of the buffer equipment can be calculated and displayed on the screen. Examples of the display method include a graph display, numerical display, color, and sound. Therefore, the worker can create a schedule while checking the storage amount of the buffer equipment. The operation schedule created as described above is automatically updated based on the current operation data acquired by the operation data acquisition means, so that the schedule modification work during the operation of the plant can be easily performed. It can be done efficiently.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments and examples are mere examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a schedule creation support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a plant to which the schedule creation support device 1 is applied, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the schedule creation support apparatus 1, FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a schedule creation screen, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation data acquisition screen, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schedule creation screen when initial conditions are set, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a new job label creating method, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of automatic processing of constraint conditions, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a method of modifying a job label by changing an attribute value, and FIG. 11 is an example of a display screen of an attribute value table. FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples of buffer storage amount display, FIG. 13 shows an example of job label arrangement of a continuous process, FIG. 14 shows an example of job label arrangement of a continuous process, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a job label arrangement, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a method of processing a buffer storage amount exceeding an upper limit, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a processing method of a buffer storage amount exceeding a lower limit, and FIG. Illustration of a method for processing a lower limit out of the storage amount, 19 is an explanatory view of the constraints upon type switching of a continuous process, FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the acquisition of operating data.

First, a schematic configuration of a target plant to which the schedule creation support device according to the present embodiment is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in this target plant, a batch process 11, a batch process 12, a buffer facility 13, and a continuous process 14 are arranged in series. Further, the batch process 11 includes three batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c arranged in parallel, and the buffer facility 13 includes two buffer facilities 13a and 13b. When these are applied to an actual chemical plant, for example, the batch process 11 is a polymerization process for producing a product by polymerizing raw materials, the batch process 12 is an impurity removal process for removing impurities from the product, The equipment is a storage tank for temporarily storing the product, and the continuous process 14 is a drying process for drying the product. The products produced by the batch processes 11a, 11b and 11c are paid out collectively for each batch. Therefore, it is paid out after satisfying the following sequential processing conditions. For example, since the batch process 12 is shared by the batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c, two or more batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c cannot pay out products at the same time. Batch process 1
The products paid out from 1a, 11b, 11c are sequentially processed by the batch process 12, and are also paid out in batches. The products paid out from the batch process 12 are divided into buffer facilities 1 by type.
There are sequential processing conditions such as temporary storage in 3a and 13b. The products are sequentially supplied to the continuous process 14 for each product type, subjected to predetermined processing, stored in a hopper (not shown), and sequentially shipped.

Subsequently, a schematic configuration of a schedule creation support device applied to the above-described target plant will be described. The schedule creation support device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a single personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC).
) And has a configuration as shown in FIG. The input / editing unit 5 includes an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the PC, and includes an operation data acquisition unit 2, a Gantt chart display unit 3, a buffer storage amount calculation / display unit 4, and an attribute value table storage unit 6, which will be described later.
The user inputs various instructions, data, and the like. The operation data acquisition unit 2 receives a request from the process management computer 7 that manages the progress of the process of the plant or the like periodically or at an arbitrary time.
Operation data indicating the operation state of the plant at that time is acquired. The Gantt chart display unit 3 displays a Gantt chart on a monitor screen, accepts an input or edit instruction of a job label from the input / edit unit 5, and sets a predetermined constraint including a condition of the sequential processing between jobs. Automatically correct the above job label layout to satisfy the conditions,
indicate. Further, based on the operation data acquired by the operation data acquisition unit 2, the initial arrangement of each job label on the Gantt chart or the correction of the already created schedule is automatically performed. In the attribute value table storage unit 6, default values of attribute values for each type in the batch processes 11, 12, the buffer equipment 13, and the continuous process 14 are stored in advance in the form of an attribute value table. The attribute value is, for example, the batch process 1
Items related to 1 include the product output (production amount for one batch) (ton), processing time (h), etc. Items related to the continuous process 14 include an average processing amount (ton / h). . Based on the operation schedule of the batch processes 11 and 12 and the continuous process 14 created on the Gantt chart of the Gantt chart display unit 3, the buffer storage amount calculation / display unit 4 Calculate the storage amount according to the above and display the graph on the monitor screen.

Hereinafter, the processing operation of the schedule creation support apparatus 1 having such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (Step S1: Acquisition of Operation Data) An initial screen displayed on the monitor of the schedule creation support device 1 is shown in FIG. The upper four rows on the screen are the Gantt chart display fields by the Gantt chart display unit 3 and the lower one is the buffer storage quantity display fields by the buffer storage quantity calculation / display unit 4, which are divided horizontally by one day. ing. The Gantt chart also shows the batch processes 11a, 11
b, 11c, and the operation schedule of the continuous process 14 are displayed. The initial screen at the time of creating a new schedule is blank as shown in FIG. If a future operation schedule is created in a state where the plant is not operating, the schedule input / edit work must be performed on the blank screen from the beginning. To create a schedule to continue operation, first obtain the current plant operation data as described below, and set the initial conditions based on it. On the initial screen shown in FIG. 4, by clicking the "Operating data acquisition" button shown at the upper left with a mouse (input / editing unit 5), the operation data acquiring unit 2 sends the current (August 24, 1995) The operation data indicating the operation state of the plant on the day of 2:00 is acquired and displayed on the window of the monitor screen as shown in FIG. The acquired operation data includes a product name currently being processed in each batch process, a start time and a scheduled end time of the process, a product name currently stored in each buffer facility, a storage amount, and the like. If a continuous process is in operation, data can be obtained for this as well.

The operation data acquired as described above is automatically reflected as an initial condition on a screen shown in FIG. 4 (hereinafter, referred to as a schedule creation screen). FIG. 6 shows this state. In the columns of the batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c on the schedule creation screen, job labels JLa, which indicate the processing time in each process, are respectively provided in portions corresponding to the start time to the end time in the operation data.
JLb and JLc are displayed. A display of the processing schedule by arranging such job labels is called a Gantt chart. Since the continuous process 14 is stopped, no job label is displayed. The batch process 12 is not directly displayed on the schedule creation screen, but is reflected on the Gantt chart as one of the constraint conditions (details will be described later). Further, based on the initial conditions of the batch processes 11a, 11b, 11c, the storage amounts of the buffer facilities 13a, 13b are calculated by the buffer storage amount calculation / display unit 4, and displayed in the buffer storage amount display column. At this stage, since the schedule of the continuous process has not been input, the buffer storage amount does not decrease, and the buffer equipment 13 obtained from the operation data is not used.
From the current storage amount of 50 a (ton) only, each time the batch process 11 a, 11 b, 11 c is completed, the graph shows a step-like graph that constantly increases by the payout amount. The initial conditions are set as described above.
It is also possible to create a Gantt chart in the following step S2 without acquiring the operation data in step S1. (Step S2: Gantt chart creation / edit) and (Step S3: Buffer storage amount display)

As described above, a schedule following the initial conditions is created on the Gantt chart in which the initial conditions have been created according to a separately prepared production schedule. First, a new job label following the batch process job label according to the above initial conditions is created. As shown in FIG. 7, when a type name is entered in the job label creation field K on the screen, the job label JL of the entered type is automatically created at the top of the screen. Attribute values such as processing time and payout amount required at that time are stored in the attribute value table storage unit 6.
From the attribute value table (see FIG. 11) stored in the. In the attribute value table, default values of attribute values listed for each type of job are stored in advance. Therefore, the length of the job label JL is automatically adjusted to the processing time for one batch, and the operator simply drags the job label JL to an appropriate position on the Gantt chart using a mouse. (See FIG. 7). In a conventional Gantt chart display / editing device,
When creating a new job label as described above, it is necessary to separately create and enter schedule data, etc.
Although work was required on parts other than the schedule creation screen, the present apparatus can easily perform all operations up to the creation of a job label only by operating the mouse on the screen.
Of course, a move key, enter key, or the like may be used instead of the mouse. When a new job label is arranged on the Gantt chart as described above, the Gantt chart display unit 3 automatically corrects the position of the job label so as to satisfy some constraints. The constraint conditions include, for example, a job label overlap prevention condition, a sequential processing condition of the previous job, and the like. The job label overlap prevention condition is a condition for preventing successive job labels from overlapping in the same batch process. In an actual batch process, it is unlikely that two or more batch processes overlap. Therefore, the Gantt chart display section 3
If the dragged job label overlaps the previous job label, the subsequent job label is moved backward by the length T of the overlapping portion (see FIG. 8A).

[0014] The sequential processing condition of the job means that when there is a process shared by a plurality of batch processes as in the previous period, the shared process cannot be used simultaneously by a plurality of batch processes. The condition is that processing must be performed. In the plant shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of batch processes correspond to batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c, and the shared process corresponds to batch process 12. The batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c cannot simultaneously use two or more batch processes 12, which are subsequent processes. Therefore, if the batch process 11a, 1
When a plurality of jobs 1b and 11c are finished at the same time, a job other than one job must wait for payout.
Inefficient. Therefore, the Gantt chart display unit 3
Automatically corrects the end time of the processing of the batch processes 11a, 11b, and 11c so as to be shifted by the processing time of the batch process 12. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in the figure, for example, the rear end (Tb1) of the job label of the type A of the batch process 11b is
Of the batch process 12 (T
a1 to Ta2), the batch process 11
The job label of the type A of b is automatically set to Ta2-Tb1.
Just move backwards. In this embodiment, in order to make the screen display easier to understand, the job label of the batch process 12 (the hatched portion in FIG. 8A) is not displayed on the screen.
Although the batch process 12 is reflected on the schedule only in the form of the above-described constraint, it may be displayed on a screen as a matter of course. FIG. 9 specifically shows the above two constraints. In FIG. 9A, a job label is newly arranged in the initial state shown in FIG. The two job labels are arranged with the end times shifted by the processing time of the batch process 12 so as to satisfy the sequential processing condition. Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, if a new job label is to be inserted between job labels, the job labels are arranged while observing the above-described overlapping prevention condition. The job label moves backward as in b). At the same time, the job label must always satisfy the above-described sequential processing condition, so that the job label moves backward by the same amount as the job label moves. If it is desired to arrange the job labels behind the job labels without any gaps, as shown in FIG. 9C, by clicking the “left justified” button, each job label interval can be adjusted while satisfying the above-mentioned constraints. Can be minimized. FIG. 9 (c)
In the case of (1), the arrangement of the job labels is reversed, but in this case also the sequential condition must be satisfied.

On the other hand, if only the above-mentioned constraints are satisfied,
For example, the automatic correction is not particularly performed for increasing the interval between the job labels. Of course, it is also possible to automatically adjust the gap between job labels according to the buffer storage amount described later. Also, once a job label is placed, its placement position can be freely changed by dragging with the mouse. It is also possible to edit the schedule by changing the attribute values possessed by each job label.As shown in Fig. 10, clicking the job label on the screen with the mouse causes the attribute possessed by the job label to be changed. A value window W is displayed, and a value that can be changed, for example, a value such as a processing time and a payout amount can be changed on the attribute value window.
When the processing time is changed from 1000 hours to 1500 hours, the length of the job label on the Gantt chart changes accordingly. Of course, the above constraints are automatically satisfied. However, the change of the attribute value at this time is reflected only on the job label to be changed, and the attribute value table stored in the attribute value table storage unit 6 (see FIG. 11).
The default value of is not changed. As described above, in a chemical plant or the like, the attribute values for each batch and product type fluctuate. Thus, the standard values of the attribute values are stored as default values, and individual variations are individually corrected. The method of adding is suitable. Of course, it may be necessary to modify the above default value, but at that time, it can be modified on the attribute value table window (the data modification unit in FIG. 11) and reflected in the subsequent processing.

Further, after editing the job label as described above, a process of automatically minimizing (left-justifying) each job label interval may be performed in order to improve the efficiency of the process while satisfying the above constraint conditions. It is possible. As described above, the schedule creation support apparatus 1 automatically corrects the constraints so as to always satisfy the constraints, so that it is not necessary for an operator to always create a schedule with the constraints in mind as in the related art. In addition, when a new job label is created, the storage amount of the buffer facility 13 with respect to the schedule of the batch process can be calculated as necessary, and can be displayed in the buffer storage amount display column. As shown in FIG. 12, when the "storage amount display" button on the screen is clicked with a mouse, the buffer storage amount calculation / display unit 4 calculates the buffer storage amount for each product type based on the Gantt chart at that time. Is displayed in the buffer storage amount display field on the screen. A plurality of different buffer facilities are displayed in different colors. Each job label is given an attribute value for the production amount in advance, and the storage amount increases by the production amount at the end of processing of each job. Also, at this stage, since the job labels of the continuous process 14 have not been arranged yet, the storage amount does not decrease, and the graph has a stepped shape as shown in FIG. As described above, in the schedule creation support device 1, the buffer storage amount is automatically calculated based on the Gantt chart at that time, and is displayed as a graph.
There is no need for the operator himself to create the schedule while calculating the buffer storage amount as in the related art.

Next, the creation of a schedule for a continuous process will be described. The creation of the schedule of the continuous process can be performed subsequently to or in parallel with the creation of the schedule of the batch process. The method of creating and arranging a new job label is almost the same as that of the above batch process. As shown in FIG. 13, the job label automatically created by inputting the type of the product to be processed and the number of batches in the input fields is arranged at an arbitrary position in the continuous process field on the Gantt chart. Of course, the attribute value is read from the attribute value table stored in the attribute value table storage unit 6, and the length of the job label and the like are automatically determined from the default value. After the job label is arranged, by clicking the storage amount display button described above, the buffer storage amount in consideration of the continuous process is displayed. Since the attribute value includes the average processing amount (processing amount per unit time), the graph of the buffer storage amount, which has a staircase shape, shows a constant slope decrease as shown in the figure. . The job label placed on the Gantt chart can be freely moved by dragging with the mouse. As shown in FIG. 14, since the buffer storage amount changes with the movement of the job label, the job label arrangement is corrected while observing the change in the buffer storage amount. In FIG. 14, there is a portion where the graphs of the type A and the type B of the buffer storage amount intersect.
This is because a and 13b are displayed in the same column. In practice, products of different types are stored separately in the buffer facilities 13a and 13b, and are color-coded for each buffer as described above for easy identification. . Also, similarly to the batch process, the schedule can be edited by changing the attribute value of each job label. As an attribute value that can be changed, for example, there is an average processing amount. By changing the average processing amount, the inclination of the buffer storage amount graph can be changed. As described above, the job labels of the continuous process are sequentially arranged for each type (see FIG. 15). At this time, similarly to the case of the batch process, the arrangement position is automatically corrected between job labels of the continuous process so as to satisfy the arrangement constraint. Further, in a continuous process, a cleaning process is required at the time of product type switching, so that it is necessary to secure a time interval corresponding to the cleaning process, as a job label interval.
Automatically processed as one. Next, a description will be given of a processing method when the upper limit of the buffer storage amount is exceeded and the lower limit is exceeded during the schedule creation stage, and restrictions on switching types of the continuous process. These can also be considered as being included in the above-described constraint conditions. However, in this case, since these are clarified only by calculating the buffer storage amount, they are separately considered here.

First, a processing method when the buffer storage amount exceeds the upper limit will be described. In an actual plant, a situation in which the buffer storage amount exceeds the upper limit means that an abnormality has occurred, and therefore a schedule proposal as shown in FIG. 16A is not allowed. Therefore, in such a case, the job label that directly causes the upper limit may be moved (backward) to a position where the upper limit is not exceeded. Assuming that the amount of movement T is V, where the upper limit is exceeded, and Q is the average processing amount of the continuous process (slope of the buffer storage amount graph), T = V / Q. At this time, since the above constraint condition must also be satisfied, the job labels behind the job label move backward while maintaining their distance (FIG. 1).
6 (b)). Also, when switching between types, products of different types are stored in the two buffer equipments 13a and 13b. In this case, however, the above-mentioned constraint must be satisfied for each individual buffer equipment. The above processing is automatically performed when the buffer storage amount is displayed. If the buffer storage amount is always displayed automatically, the conditions for preventing the buffer storage amount from exceeding the upper limit are also
It can be considered in exactly the same way as the above-mentioned constraint conditions.

Next, the processing method when the lower limit of the buffer storage amount is exceeded will be described. If the lower limit of the buffer storage volume is exceeded, that is, the storage volume becomes zero, the continuous process cannot be continued in the actual plant.
Arrangement of a job label like 7 is impossible. Therefore, when the lower limit of the buffer storage amount has run out, even if the buffer storage amount recovers after the lower limit has run out, the operator is warned by displaying the remaining storage amount so as not to decrease, thereby prompting the user to take an avoidance measure. As a method of coping with the occurrence of the lower limit lowering, a continuous process is divided (FIG. 18A),
There are four types of movement of the continuous process (FIG. 18B), change of the average processing amount of the continuous process (FIG. 18C), and change of the arrangement of the batch process (FIG. 18D). FIG.
The method based on the division of the continuous process shown in (a) is a method of dividing the continuous process according to the cut of the lower limit, rather than avoiding the lower limit of the buffer storage amount. Stopping the continuous process in an actual plant involves various disadvantages as well as temporary processing delays, so this method of dividing the continuous process is not a very preferable method. It should only be used if the method is not possible. The method by moving the continuous process shown in FIG. 18B is a method of delaying the processing start time of the continuous process. By starting the continuous process after increasing the buffer storage,
It is possible to avoid running out of the lower limit of the buffer storage amount as in (b). The method by changing the average processing amount of the continuous process shown in FIG. 18C is a method of reducing the average processing amount, which is one of the attribute values of the continuous process. As a result, the slope of the graph of the buffer storage amount becomes smaller,
It is possible to avoid running out of the lower limit of the buffer storage amount as shown in FIG. The method based on the arrangement change of the batch process shown in FIG. 18D is a method of changing the arrangement of the job labels of the batch process while keeping the continuous process. This makes it possible to adjust the buffer storage amount and avoid running out of the lower limit of the buffer storage amount as shown in FIG. The above four methods cannot always be applied in all cases, and there is a case where only one method is not enough. Therefore, it is necessary to use a combination of optimal methods according to the situation. It is also possible to program the processing for avoiding the lower limit of the buffer storage amount using the above-mentioned four methods, and to perform automatic processing when displaying the buffer storage amount. At this time, if the display of the buffer storage amount is always automatically performed at the same time, the condition for preventing the buffer storage amount from running out of the lower limit can be considered in exactly the same way as the above-described constraint condition.

Next, a description will be given of restrictions when changing the type of the continuous process. For example, in the schedule shown in FIG. 15, the continuous process 14 performs processing while sequentially switching types from A to C. In such a case, the continuous process 14 always processes the type previously paid out preferentially, and cannot proceed to the processing of the next type until the remaining amount of the type becomes zero. However, since two buffer facilities 13a and 13b are prepared, it is possible to store another type in the other buffer facility before the remaining capacity of one buffer facility becomes zero. That is why the graph of the buffer storage amount partially crosses as shown in FIG. Therefore, when switching such varieties,
The buffer storage amount does not decrease simultaneously for the two types, and as shown in FIG. 19, the remaining amount of the type previously paid out becomes zero, and the job label of the other type is not placed until the job label of the other type is arranged. There is a constraint to reduce the buffer storage volume. The schedule is completed by repeating the above-described Gantt chart creation / editing work and buffer storage amount display. (Step S4 to Step S1: Acquisition of Operation Data) When a new schedule is created, the plant is operated according to the schedule. However, as described above, the operation of a chemical plant or the like using the batch-continuous process is often not performed according to the initial schedule, and the situation constantly changes during the operation of the plant. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately modify the schedule being executed in response to the change in the operating condition. Therefore, periodically or at an arbitrary time, such as at the end of a batch, the operation data acquisition unit 2 causes the process management computer 7 that manages the progress of the process of the plant to indicate the operating state of the plant at that time. Data is acquired, and the schedule being executed is automatically corrected based on the operation data. The method of acquiring the operation data is exactly the same as the case of setting the above-mentioned initial conditions, and the job label being executed on the schedule is corrected as needed using the acquired operation data. For example, if the expected processing end time has been changed, the length or the arrangement position of the corresponding job label is corrected. that time,
The other job labels are simultaneously modified so as to satisfy the above-described constraints. An arbitrary editing operation can be further performed on the schedule after the automatic correction. This makes it possible to easily and efficiently modify the schedule. Also, the job label that has already been completed when the operation data is acquired is automatically deleted (see FIG. 20). By repeating the above steps S1 to S4, it is possible to always create a schedule that matches the current plant operation status.

As described above, the schedule creation support device 1 automatically corrects the constraints so as to always satisfy the constraints, and automatically calculates the buffer storage amount based on the created Gantt chart, and Since the information is displayed, the schedule can be easily created without any special knowledge or experience. In addition, the work of creating and editing the schedule can be easily performed using a mouse or the like on the Gantt chart on the monitor screen, so that the work can be performed more efficiently than the work on the conventional board. Also, periodically or at an arbitrary time, operation data indicating the operation state of the plant at that time is obtained, and the schedule being executed is automatically corrected based on the operation data. The schedule can be easily and surely corrected according to the driving situation of the vehicle. Also, when inputting a new job label, it is only necessary to drag the automatically created job label to an appropriate position on the Gantt chart using the mouse by referring to the attribute value table stored in advance. Therefore, all operations from the creation of the schedule to the editing can be performed only by operations on the screen.

[0022]

As described above, the schedule creation support apparatus according to the present invention provides an attribute value for storing, as an attribute value table, default values of attribute values for each product type of a batch process, a buffer facility, and a continuous process. Table storage means; and automatic job label creation means for automatically creating the job label with reference to the attribute value table stored in the attribute value table storage means. It is possible to input and edit the operation schedule by moving the job label created by the automatic label creation means from the creation position on the screen to the Gantt chart. Therefore, anyone can easily create a schedule, and all operations can be performed only on the screen. Also,
The default value of the attribute value stored in the attribute value table storage means can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with long-term changes in the operation data. Further, the system includes operating data acquisition means for acquiring operation data indicating a current operation state of the batch-continuous process, wherein the Gantt chart display means performs a new operation based on the operation data acquired by the operation data acquisition means. Create the initial conditions of the schedule or update the already created operation schedule. Therefore, the initial conditions can be easily set, and the schedule correction operation during the plant operation can be easily and efficiently performed.
Further, when the operation schedule is input / edited by the input / editing means, the Gantt chart display means automatically corrects and displays the layout of the job labels so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition. Therefore, there is no need to be aware of the above constraint conditions, and a schedule can be easily created even by a non-expert. The operation schedule can be edited by changing the attribute values of the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the attribute value for each job.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a schedule creation support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a plant to which the schedule creation support device 1 is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the schedule creation support device 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule creation screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation data acquisition screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schedule creation screen when setting initial conditions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for creating a new job label.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a constraint condition.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of automatic processing of constraint conditions.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a method of correcting a job label by changing an attribute value.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a display screen of an attribute value table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a buffer storage amount.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job label arrangement of a continuous process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job label arrangement of a continuous process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job label arrangement of a continuous process.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a method of processing a buffer storage amount exceeding an upper limit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a method of processing a buffer storage amount below a lower limit.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a method of processing a buffer storage amount below a lower limit.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of restrictions when switching types in a continuous process.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of acquisition of operation data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Schedule creation support apparatus 2 ... Operation data acquisition part 3 ... Gantt chart display part 4 ... Buffer storage amount calculation and display part 5 ... Input and editing part 6 ... Attribute value table storage part 7 ... Process management computer 11 ... Batch process 12 … Batch process 13… Buffer equipment 14… Continuous process

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A batch-continuous process in which a product produced by a batch process is temporarily stored in a buffer facility and then subjected to a predetermined process in a continuous process. Gantt chart display means for displaying on the screen a Gantt chart represented by label arrangement, input of an operation schedule using the job label on the Gantt chart displayed by the Gantt chart display means,
Input / editing means for editing, and buffer storage for calculating the storage amount of the buffer equipment based on the operation schedule of the batch process and continuous process displayed on the Gantt chart of the Gantt chart display means and displaying the calculated amount on the screen An attribute value table storage means for storing, as an attribute value table, a default value of an attribute value for each product type possessed by the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process; Automatic job label creation means for automatically creating the job label by referring to the attribute value table stored in the attribute value table storage means, wherein the input / edit means is provided by the automatic job label creation means. The job label created on the Gantt chart from the creation position on the screen Scheduling support device, characterized in that the means capable of inputting and editing the operation schedule by causing moved. 2. The schedule creation support device according to claim 1, wherein a default value of the attribute value stored in said attribute value table storage means can be arbitrarily changed. 3. An operation data acquisition means for acquiring operation data indicating a current operation state of the batch-continuous process, wherein the Gantt chart display means operates based on the operation data acquired by the operation data acquisition means. 3. The schedule creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the schedule creation support device creates initial conditions of a new operation schedule or updates an already created operation schedule. 4. When inputting and editing the operation schedule by the inputting / editing means, the Gantt chart display means automatically corrects and displays the layout of the job labels so as to satisfy a predetermined constraint condition. The schedule creation support device according to claim 1. 5. The schedule creation support device according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined constraint condition includes a condition for preventing said job labels from overlapping. 6. The schedule creation support device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined constraint condition includes a sequential processing condition between the processes. 7. The buffer system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined constraint condition includes a condition for preventing the storage amount of the buffer equipment from being exceeded by an upper limit and / or a lower limit being exhausted, calculated by the buffer storage amount calculating / displaying means. The described schedule creation support device. 8. The schedule creation support device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined constraint condition includes a job interval constraint condition of the continuous process. 9. The operation schedule can be edited by changing attribute values of the batch process, the buffer equipment, and the continuous process.
8. The schedule creation support device according to any one of 8.