Optimal sorting of raw materials for use in different products

Often one type of raw material is used for different, but related products. Since raw material quality can be variable, some batches/entities of raw materials may be better suited for one type of product than others. A methodology for sorting raw materials into different categories, which can be used to make different types of products, is presented. The process variables for each product are optimised within each product/category simultaneously as the optimal splitting is found. The presented methodology can also be applied in situations where the goal is to split the raw materials into those that need additives and those that do not. The methodology is illustrated with an example where the product categories considered are bread baked with or without DATEM, which is an additive commonly used in the baking industry. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.