Process Improvement Planner (PIP)*

PIP is optimization modeling based decision tool that helps the management of a large process industry to prioritize and allocate process improvement investment among one or multiple plants/facilities. PIP selects the best mix of improvement actions – from a long list of technology replacement, technology retrofit, fuel change, energy efficiency and O&M improvement options – that increase total process efficiency by maximum amount.

Outputs/Decision variables

PIP’s core model is a multi-period mixed integer program that can calculate the optimum mix of following improvement options across various operational stages and facilities:

• Technology (capital) replacement with more efficient options
• New technology installation
• Minor retrofit (upgrade) of existing technology
• Energy efficiency improvement intervention
• Fuel (energy) change to improve heat value
• Raw material change to improve utilization
• Improved operations & maintenance practice