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Design of a composite polymer plant using a simulation system
Author(s) -
Lin Linda,
Sommerfeld Jude T.,
McKendry Margaret L.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760300706
Subject(s) - gpss , materials science , composite number , thermotropic crystal , polymer , process engineering , composite material , process (computing) , interfacing , graphite , mechanical engineering , computer science , simulation , engineering , computer hardware , liquid crystalline , operating system
This paper describes the use of the General Purpose Simulation System (GPSS) to simulate the manufacture of a typical line of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer resins. Specifically considered were composite polymers based on parahydroxybenzoic acid with glass, graphite, or talc added as a filler or reinforcing agent. The process examined consists of a combination of batch and semicontinuous operations. Product campaigning and equipment cleaning requirements were also incorporated into the GPSS model. Different equipment configurations and manpower distributions were simulated to aid in the design of such a polymer plant. The simulation results were analyzed, and the calculated return on investment was used to select the final plant design.