Plant Layout Grouping to Cut Large-Scale Design Processing Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing large-scale plant layouts are inefficient due to the increased processing time required for generating layout information as the scale of plants grows, with numerous devices and constraint conditions overwhelming computer processing power.
Innovation Solution
An automatic layout design method that classifies devices into groups based on relevance, minimizing the sum of distances between them, and generates layout information using general and detailed constraint conditions, including floor space, junction points, and construction sequences, to optimize layout generation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional automatic layout design methods are used for large-scale plants, then layout information can be generated, but the generation time becomes excessively long due to the large number of devices and constraint conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plant layout design into two distinct phases: general layout design (grouping devices into device groups and determining their positions) and detailed layout design (arranging individual devices within each device group). This segmentation allows the computationally intensive task to be broken down into manageable stages, with the general layout providing a framework that reduces the complexity of subsequent detailed arrangement, thereby significantly reducing overall processing time for large-scale plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of devices into device groups based on their functional relationships and constraints before conducting detailed layout optimization. This preliminary action establishes a structured framework that pre-organizes devices, reducing the search space and computational complexity for the subsequent detailed layout design phase, thus enabling faster generation of layout information for large-scale plants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scale of the plant increases, then more devices can be accommodated, but the number of constraint conditions increases, making it difficult for computers to generate layout information efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex set of constraint conditions into two categories: general constraints (applied to device groups) and detailed constraints (applied to individual devices). This segmentation allows constraint conditions to be managed at appropriate levels of abstraction, making it feasible to handle large-scale plants with numerous devices and constraints without overwhelming computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different levels of detail and constraint strictness to different parts of the layout design. General layout design uses broader constraints for device group positioning, while detailed layout design applies specific constraints for individual device arrangement. This local differentiation of constraint application allows the system to adapt to varying plant scales and complexities efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automatic layout design method at least including: a classification step in which an arithmetic calculation unit provided in a computer classifies a plurality of devices that are arranged on a floor of a plant into a plurality of device groups on the basis of the degree of relevance between the plurality of devices; and a general design step in which the arithmetic calculation unit generates general layout information wherein device groups are arranged on the floor, such that the sum of distances between device groups is minimized.