Integration of Optimization to the Design of Pulp and Paper Production Processes - Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Application - page 233

Fig. 2. Activities of optimizing design

3.3 Business Process

In the model of optimizing design the activities of process design have partially
changed. The basis for the activities is the existing design processes that are extended
and partly modified. The suitable time for optimization is the conceptual design
phase. When the designer identifies a need for optimization in his conceptual design,
he initiates cooperation with the optimizer. During this cooperation an optimal
design balancing both structural and operational aspects of the design are being
searched for. This process can be described as expert cooperation in which also the
modeler will be included.
The optimization activities take place in a few stages as an extension to conceptual
process design phase as illustrated in Figure 2. The process starts from optimization
problem definition and continues through optimization problem-solving until result
interpretation. During these stages different cooperation patterns between the designer
and modeler are needed. The whole process and each of its stages may also be itera-
tive.
The purpose of the optimization problem definition is to define a part of the de-
signer's design problem as BLMOO for the optimizer. This stage is performed by the
designer and optimizer together. The designer identifies parts of the overall design
problem in which balancing structural and operational aspects of the design is essen-
tial. The solvability of the problem is then assessed by the optimizer, designer and
modeler together. The assessment requires expertise of all three stakeholders because
the result depends not only on the problem itself but e.g. optimization tools, process
models and data about the process. Eventually the designer and the optimizer should