A Simulation and Experiments of Rapeseed Logistics Supply System Based on Flexsim Software - Advanced Research on Computer Education, Simulation and Modeling - page 207

A Simulation and Experiments of Rapeseed Logistics
Supply System Based on Flexsim Software
Dejun liu 1 , Guangsheng Zhang 2,* , Xiurong Zhao 1 , and Claus Age Søresen 3
1 College of Engineering, Shenyang Agricultural University,
Shenyang, 110866, China
2 College of Economic Management, Shenyang Agricultural University,
Shenyang, 110866, China,
Ph.: 0086-13002444896
[e-mail]
3 Department of Bio-system Engineering,
Agricultural faculty of Aarhus University, 8800, Denmark
Abstract. An important aspect of rapeseed logistics supply system is to manage
the processes of harvesting and transporting from the different rural fields to the
processing plants. This paper applies Flexsim simulation techniques to build the
simulation model to solve a problem that vehicles coordinate with harvesters
and other plant facilities, analyzing the performance of the system in varied
configurations and policies for its operations. Studies proved the effectiveness
of the methods to increase harvest logistics efficiencies as well as facilities
implement. The studies are also useful for other agro plants with similar supply
system.
Keywords: Rapeseed, Logistics Supply System, Simulation.
1 Introduction
An important aspect of logistics supply system in agro industries is to manage the
process of harvesting and transporting raw materials, from the rural fields to the
processing plants (Iannoni et al., 2006). There are many studies and related work that
uses simulation models to analyze agricultural products supply chain in agro
industries such as sugarcane (Le Gal et al.,2009); cotton (Ravula et al.,2008); cotton-
stalk(Tatsiopoulos et al.,2003) and other biomass supply chain issues(Rentizelas et
al.,2009; Sokhansanj et al.,2006) etc. The rapeseed harvest logistics include the
process from the harvesting to unloading rapeseed or straw in the cranes or conveyors
of company. Therefore, trucks or tractors once arriving at the company go through
several operations such as net weighing on a scale, sampling tests to determine
content quality, unloading on intermediary storage areas or on the cranes and
conveyors. The longer waiting times maybe delayed the return of the trucks to the
harvesting fields, thereby reducing their availability to transport rapeseed to the
company, as well as causing machine and worker idleness in the field (Iannoni
et al., 2006).
* Corresponding author.