Simulation modeling is a common method for analyzing complex systems. It creates a simplified representation of a system under study. Then one can start experimenting with the system, keeping in mind prescribed set of goals, such as improved system design, cost-benefit analysis, and sensitivity to design parameters. Experimentation consists of generating system scenarios and observing system behavior over time [8].
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Fig. 46.1 Simplified configuration of the case study plant proposed by Ferreira et. al [3] |
The working simulation tool for the models in this study is ARENA. ARENA is a simulation environment consisting of module templates, built around SIMAN language. ARENA provides a module-oriented simulation environment to model practically any scenario involving the flow of transactions through a set of processes. Since ARENA generates correct SIMAN code and checks the model for syntactic errors (graphical and textual), a large amount of initial debugging takes place automatically. In this study, ARENA software was used to simulate process system operations and conduct “what-if analysis in a bid to identify the most suitable production operations strategy [9]. ARENA simulation model was created in order to simplify the overall processes into sub processes and components. Simulation modeling and simulation experiments using ARENA software were applied primarily to identify relationships between various production operations strategies and the intricate interactions among the power and water production activities.
