Dynamic constrained optimization of chemical manufacturing

A method for chemical manufacture, comprising:

• receiving one or more local constraints from a downstream optimization controller of at least one of a plurality of downstream processes via a maximum feed calculator;
• executing, via the maximum feed calculator, one or more steady state models for the plurality of downstream processes to determine maximum feed capacities of the plurality of downstream processes in a chemical plant subject to the one or more local constraints on the downstream processes;
• inputting the determined maximum feed capacities from the maximum feed calculator into a feed coordinator;
• executing, via the feed coordinator, one or more steady state models for a plurality of upstream processes to determine upstream production parameters for the plurality of upstream processes in accordance with the determined maximum feed capacities and a specified objective function, subject to one or more global constraints;
• and
• controlling the plurality of upstream processes in the chemical plant in accordance with the determined upstream production parameters, thereby facilitating maximum production by the chemical plant in accordance with the specified objective function.

A memory medium that stores program instructions for controlling a chemical process, wherein the program instructions are computer executable to perform:

• receiving one or more local constraints from a downstream optimization controller of at least one of a plurality of downstream processes via a maximum feed calculator;
• executing, via the maximum feed calculator, one or more steady state models for the plurality of downstream processes to determine maximum feed capacities of the plurality of downstream processes in a chemical plant subject to the one or more local constraints on the downstream processes;
• executing, via the feed coordinator, one or more steady state models for a plurality of upstream processes to determine upstream production parameters for the plurality of upstream processes in accordance with the determined maximum feed capacities and a specified objective function, subject to one or more global constraints;
• and
• controlling the plurality of upstream processes in the chemical plant in accordance with the determined upstream production parameters, thereby facilitating maximum production by the chemical plant in accordance with the specified objective function.