For a short-term production scheduling
problem with utility constraints,
the discrete-time modeling approach has its inherent advantages compared
with the continuous-time approach. Even so, there are still some limitations
to the discrete-time approach in calculating utility consumption.
This paper aims to enhance the capability of the discrete-time model
to calculate utility consumption more accurately. In this paper, a
four-dimensional binary variable is introduced on the basis of a basic
three-dimensional discrete-time model framework. Constraints crucial
to utility consumption calculation, including allocation, batch size,
and material balance, are modified significantly. Moreover, production
rate fluctuation and safe inventory interval constraints are considered
in the proposed model, which can increase the stability and robustness
of production and operation. Finally, two cases demonstrate that the
proposed four-dimensional discrete-time model is more accurate than
the basic three-dimensional model in terms of calculating utility
consumption. In addition, when the disturbance of utility supply amount
appears, the proposed model can also respond to the disturbance.