A method is described for automatically scheduling production rates in certain systems of continuously operating manufacturing processes. The schedule which is suggested makes optimal use of available tankage in spire of random disturbances of supply and demand. Mathematically simple but exact, the method does not require knowledge of the statistical characteristics of the random fluctuations.
RBsum&Les auteurs decrivent une m6thode pour le prevision imm&iiate des taux de production dans certains syst&nes de fabrication travaillant en continu.
Cette methode utilise au maximum le stockage disponible ma&@ les perturbations dues au hasard de la demande et de la fabrication.
Methode math&uatiquement simple mais exacte qui ne n6cessite pas une connaissance des statistiques de fluctuations.
Zusammenfassung
-Es wird eine Methode beschrieben fiir die automatische Planung von Produktionsraten in gewissen Systemen van kontinuierlich arbeitenden Hemtelhmgsprosessen. Die empfohlene Planung macht optimalen Gebrauch des verfiigbaren Lagerraumes bei zufi%lligen Stirungen von Angebot und Naohfrage. Die Methode ist mathematisch einfach, aber exakt und verlangt keine Kenntnis der statistischen Charakteristii zuf&lliger Schwankungen. IN MANY chemical plants, between 10 and 20 per cent of the total capital expenditure is invested in tanks. The cost of the tanks themselves, together with the value of the property they occupy and the materials they contain, represents a sizeable outlay of capital. This investment produces no direct profit. It is in fact an economic liability, for it is continually subject to taxes, deterioration losses, and insurance charges.