A concept for modelling batch plant operation

A model for describing batch plant operations based on three basic components is proposed. The three parts represents different views on the problem. The batch objects follow the batch units moving through the plant. The resource objects document relevant features of each process unit. Finally, the control objects include production plans and recipes. We discuss a rationale for this partitioning and argue that our concept gives a complete view of the process for plant operation purposes. The novel feature of the concept is the integration of essential perspectives to the operation of a pharmaceutical batch plant into one structured information model. This model takes a broader view than just process control and might be used as an agent to integrate and coordinate operation tasks to improve plant efficiency.