JP2020201549A - Material operation planning device and material operation planning program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a material operation planning device which makes an efficient material operation plan in a short period of time according to a given condition.SOLUTION: The material operation planning device includes material operation plan calculation means which calculates a plurality of material operation plans of the next period each comprising a carry-in amount of the material, a stockpile amount of the material, and a consumption amount of the material in a future period, on the basis of a prerequisite condition containing a condition of stockpile, a condition of a consumption amount, and a condition of a carry-in amount by conveyance means, and a material operation plan in the previous period comprising a carry-in amount of the material, a stockpile amount of the material, and a consumption amount of the material in the previous period; and material operation plan selection means which calculates an evaluation value for each of the plurality of material operation plans in the next period, and selects an effective material operation plan from among the plurality of material operation plans in the next period on the basis of the evaluation values. The material operation plan calculation means calculates a plurality of next period material operation plans by using the selected material operation plan as the material operation plan in the previous period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a material operation planning device and a material operation planning program.

Various types of fuels are used in plants such as thermal power plants, and it is safe, reliable, and reliable from the time a variety of fuels with different characteristics are received from a carrier to the time they are used in the plant via multiple storage facilities. There is a demand for efficient scheduling technology.

A technique for planning the start and stop of a generator is disclosed (Patent Document 1). This technology introduces a priority list method that can quickly obtain a solution to the increase in calculation time due to the expansion of the system scale. Several heuristic methods that generate multiple initial solutions based on the obtained priority list method and generate good quality solutions in a short time only for the solutions that are likely to improve. Is applied.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-066901

By the way, it is necessary to review the operation of materials such as fuel each time according to the usage status of the plant. Since there are many factors to be considered in the operation plan of such materials and they are complicatedly related, the current situation is that a skilled person in charge carries out the operation plan. However, there is a problem that a very high skill level is required and it takes a long time to create a plan. In addition, the plant operation plan is strongly dependent on the know-how of a small number of skilled engineers.

On the other hand, when creating such a material operation plan using a computer, it is necessary to use a huge amount of computational resources when searching for all possible states.

One aspect of the present invention includes preconditions including conditions relating to the amount of storage in the storage facility of the material, conditions relating to the amount of consumption of the material in the consuming facility of the material, and conditions relating to the amount of import by the means of transporting the material for each period. Based on the material operation plan for the previous period, which consists of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means in the period, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility, in the future than the previous period. A material operation plan calculation means for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period consisting of a combination of the amount of materials carried in by the transportation means in the period, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility. It is provided with a material operation plan selection means for calculating an evaluation value for each of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period and selecting an effective material operation plan from a plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value. The material operation plan calculation means is characterized in that the material operation plan selected in the material operation plan selection means is used as a new material operation plan in the previous period, and a plurality of material operation plans in the next period are calculated. It is an operation planning device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a precondition that includes, for each period, a condition regarding the storage amount of the material in the storage facility, a condition regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and a condition regarding the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying the material. Based on the previous period material operation plan consisting of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means in the previous period, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility in the previous period. A material operation plan calculation that calculates a plurality of material operation plans for the next period consisting of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility in a future period. Means and a material operation plan selection means that calculates an evaluation value for each of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period and selects an effective material operation plan from a plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value. , The material operation plan calculation means calculates the material operation plan selected in the material operation plan selection means as a new material operation plan in the previous period, and further calculates a plurality of material operation plans in the next period. It is a characteristic material operation planning program.

Here, the condition regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility includes the usability of the storage facility and the storable amount of the storage facility, and the condition regarding the consumption amount in the material consumption facility is the operating rate of the consumption facility. The conditions relating to the amount of material used by the transportation means for carrying in the material, including the amount of material used in the consumption facility, include the amount of material loaded in the transportation means and the amount of material carried in from the transportation means to the storage facility. Is preferable.

Further, it is preferable that the evaluation value is calculated according to at least one of the condition of the transportation means, the storage amount of the material in the storage facility, and the usage ratio of the material in the consumption facility.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means applies a process for avoiding duplicate selection of candidates having similar states for the states of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period.

Further, the material is coal, the storage facility is a silo, the consumption facility is a boiler, the transportation means is a ship, and the conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility are per silo. The conditions for the usability of coal, the amount of coal that can be stored in each silo, and the amount of consumption in the material consumption facility are the operating rate of each boiler, the type of coal used in each boiler, and the amount of coal used. It is preferable that the conditions regarding the amount of coal carried in by the means of transportation to be carried out are the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship and the amount of coal carried in from the ship to the silo.

In addition, the evaluation value is based on the coal type and load capacity loaded on the ship, the remaining amount of coal in the silo and the remaining grace period in which coal can be stored, the coal ratio switching rate used in the boiler, the coal type and amount used. Based on this, it is preferable to calculate according to at least one of CO ₂ and NO _x emissions.

In addition, the longer the berthing days of the ship, the lower the evaluation value, the less the remaining amount of the silo, the lower the evaluation value, the less the remaining grace period that can be stored in the silo, the lower the evaluation value, and the switching of the coal ratio in combustion in the boiler. It is preferable that the higher the rate, the lower the evaluation value, and the higher the CO ₂ and NO _x emissions, the lower the evaluation value.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combination of coal types stored in the silo is the same.

Further, the material operation plan selection means preferably selects a state in which the combination of coal types stored in the silo is the same and the difference in the amount of coal stored is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combinations of vessels moored in the berth are the same.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means selects a state in which the combinations of ships moored in the berth are the same and the difference in coal loading capacity is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combination of the ship anchored in the berth and the coal type loaded on the ship is the same.

In addition, the state to be satisfied in the next period is calculated back based on the conditions in the predetermined future period, and the state in which the state to be satisfied is satisfied among the states in the next period obtained by the material operation plan calculation means is determined. It is preferable to further provide a look-ahead selection means for selection.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a material operation planning device and a material operation planning program for creating an efficient material operation plan in a short time according to a given condition.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the material operation planning apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the material operation plan processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the input data in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the input data in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the input data in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the calculation process of the material operation progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the calculation process of the material operation progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the narrowing down of the state of material operation progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the narrowing down of the state of material operation progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the material operation plan processing in the modification 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the look-ahead processing in the modification 1 of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the material operation planning device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a processing unit 10, a storage unit 12, an input unit 14, an output unit 16, and a communication unit 18. The processing unit 10 includes means for performing arithmetic processing such as a CPU. By executing the material operation plan program stored in the storage unit 12, the processing unit 10 realizes a function of creating a material operation plan for transporting / carrying in, storing, using, and the like of materials. The storage unit 12 includes storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a memory card. The storage unit 12 is accessiblely connected to the processing unit 10 and stores the material operation planning program and the information necessary for the processing. The input unit 14 includes means for inputting information. The input unit 14 includes, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, and the like for receiving information input from a person in charge of material operation planning. The output unit 16 includes means for outputting a processing result such as a user interface screen (UI) for receiving input information from the person in charge. The output unit 16 includes, for example, a display for presenting an image. The communication unit 18 includes an interface for communicating information with an external terminal, a ship, or the like via the network 102. Communication by the communication unit 18 may be wired or wireless.

In this embodiment, an example of creating a material operation plan for the transportation / carry-in, storage and use (combustion) of coal in a thermal power plant will be described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to the preparation of a material operation plan for transport / carry-in, storage and use of various materials in plants and factories that use materials. it can.

Hereinafter, the material operation planning process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S10, the precondition setting process is performed. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a precondition setting means. In the creation of the material operation plan in the material operation planning device 100, preconditions indicating equipment requirements and operational restrictions related to material transportation / delivery, storage, use, etc. are set.

Prerequisites include conditions for the amount of material stored in the material storage facility, conditions for the amount of material consumed in the material consumption facility, and conditions for the amount of material carried in by the means of delivery of the material.

In the present embodiment, the number of silos, the number of boilers, and the number of berths (ports) for ships to berth in each mill in a thermal power plant are set as preconditions. In addition, as a condition regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility, the usability of each silo and the storage amount of each silo are set for each period (date and time) of operating the thermal power plant. In addition, as a condition regarding the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, the operating rate for each boiler, the coal type used in the boiler, and the ratio at the time of use are set. In addition, the type of coal loaded and the load capacity for each ship are set as conditions for the carry-in amount by the transport means for carrying the materials. Furthermore, the coal transfer speed between each facility, the minimum coal transfer unit, etc. are set as preconditions.

The period for creating the material operation plan can be, for example, a predetermined period such as every half day (every morning / afternoon) or every hour. If the preconditions are different for each period, the preconditions may be set for each specified period.

However, the preconditions are not limited to these conditions, and may be any conditions necessary for creating a material operation plan in the material operation planning apparatus 100.

In step S12, the input data acquisition process is performed. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a data acquisition means. In the creation of the material operation plan in the material operation planning apparatus 100, data indicating the initial state or the state related to material management in the previous period is acquired as input data.

In the present embodiment, the input data includes data on the storage amount in the material storage facility, data on the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and data on the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying in the material. The data on the storage amount in the material storage facility shall be the data including the coal type and storage amount for each silo that is the storage facility. Here, when a plurality of types of coal are stored in one silo, for example, the coal type stored in the upper region of the silo and the coal type stored in the lower region may be separately acquired. In addition, the data on the consumption amount in the material consumption facility shall be the data including the coal type and amount used for each boiler that burns coal. Further, when a plurality of coals are mixed and burned in one boiler, data of a main coal type, a secondary coal type, and a mixing ratio thereof may be acquired. In addition, data on the amount of material carried in by the means of delivery of materials is loaded on the berthed vessel, the coal type and load capacity loaded on the vessel, the waiting vessel not anchored in the berth, and the vessel. The data includes the coal type and load capacity.

However, the input data is not limited to these, and may be any data necessary for creating a material operation plan in the material operation planning apparatus 100.

Further, the input data is not limited to the data representing one state of material operation, and may be data representing a plurality of states. For example, when the data indicating the state of the material operation plan calculated in step S14 and selected in step S16 is acquired as the input data indicating the state of material operation in the previous period, the input data is data indicating a plurality of states. It becomes.

3 to 5 show examples of input data. FIG. 3 shows an example of input data regarding the amount of material carried in by the means of carrying the material. The vessel ID of the vessel anchored in each berth (berths 1 and 2), the type and amount of coal loaded on the vessel, the vessel ID of the vessel waiting without anchoring in the berth, and the vessel loaded. The type of coal used and the amount loaded are used as input data. FIG. 4 shows an example of input data regarding the amount of material stored in the storage facility. The coal type and storage amount stored in each silo (silo 1 to 3) are used as input data. Here, an example is shown in which different coal types are stored above and below each silo. FIG. 5 shows an example of input data regarding the consumption amount of the material in the consumption facility. The coal type (main / sub) consumed in each boiler (boilers 1 and 2) and the amount used are used as input data. In this example, the input data of 2019/5/1 AM is used as the data indicating the state related to the material management in the initial state. Further, the data after 5/1 PM of 2019 shows one state finally set for each period as a material operation plan, but in step S18 described later, a candidate for a state to be a material operation plan is When a plurality of inputs are selected, the input data becomes data indicating a plurality of states.

In step S14, the calculation process of the material operation plan in the future period is performed. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a material operation plan calculation means. The processing unit 10 searches for possible states of each facility for the operation of materials in a future period based on the preconditions set in step S10 and the input data set in step S12.

Specifically, the data on the storage amount of the material in the storage facility, the data on the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the data on the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying in the material, which were input in step S12, are used for the material operation in the previous period. As basic data, the state regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility in the next period, the state regarding the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying in the material so as to satisfy the preconditions set in step S10. Find the state. That is, based on the operating rate for each boiler in the next period, the type of coal used in the boiler and the ratio at the time of use, and the coal transfer speed between each facility, which are set as prerequisites, for each silo that is a storage facility. Find out how much coal should be transported from which silo to which boiler from the coal type and storage amount. At this time, when a plurality of coals are mixed and burned in one boiler, a plurality of silos storing different types of coal using data of a main coal type, a secondary coal type and their mixing ratios. You may consider transporting coal from to one boiler.

In addition, which vessel is anchored in which berth (port) based on the availability of each silo and the storage capacity of each silo set as prerequisites, and the coal type and loading capacity of each vessel. , Find out how much coal should be transported from which anchored vessel to which silo. At this time, when a plurality of types of coal are to be stored in one silo, even if it is considered that the coal type to be stored in the upper region of the silo and the coal type to be stored in the lower region are stacked and stored. Good. As a result, based on the data on the storage amount in the material storage facility in the previous period, the data on the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the data on the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying in the material, in the material storage facility in the next period. The state related to the storage amount, the state related to the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the state related to the carry-in amount are calculated by the transportation means for carrying the material.

That is, in the next period, which vessel will be anchored in which berth (port), how much coal will be transported from which vessel anchored in the berth (port) to which silo, and which silo to which boiler. Determine how much coal to transport and how much coal to burn and consume in which boiler. Then, the movement of such a ship, the transportation of coal, the state of the ship berthed at the berth after consuming coal (the number of berthing days, etc.), the amount of coal loaded on the ship, and the coal remaining in each silo. , The amount of coal remaining in each boiler, the ratio switching rate of coal in each boiler, and the amount of CO ₂ and NO _x emissions based on the amount of coal used.

As a result, the state regarding the storage amount of the material in the storage facility in the next period, the state regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the state regarding the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying the material are obtained.

Here, the state related to the storage amount of the material in the storage facility in the next period calculated based on the preconditions and the input data, the state related to the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the state related to the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying the material. The combination of is not defined as one. Therefore, the processing unit 10 sets a combination that can be taken as a state related to the storage amount in the material storage facility in the next period, a state related to the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and a state related to the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying the material in the next period. Ask for multiple states as candidates. For example, if there are 100 types of input data indicating the state of each facility in the previous period, there may be 10,000 or more candidates for the state that each facility in the next period can take that satisfies the precondition.

6 and 7 show the vessel ID of the vessel moored in each berth during each period, the coal type and transport amount transported from the vessel to each silo, and the coal type and transport transported from each silo to each boiler. An example of the quantity is shown. Corresponding to the transportation and use of coal, the load capacity of coal remaining on each vessel in the next period, the storage amount of coal remaining on each silo, the amount of coal used in each boiler, etc. can be calculated. it can. As an example, FIGS. 6 and 7 show only the values finally set as the material operation plan for each period, but as described above, the amount of coal transported and the next period that actually satisfy the preconditions are shown. Since various combinations are possible for the state of the ship, silo, boiler, etc., various combinations that satisfy the preconditions are calculated in this step.

In step S16, each evaluation value is calculated for the candidates of the plurality of states obtained for the next period. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as an evaluation value calculation means. The processing unit 10 is a combination of the state related to the storage amount of the material in the storage facility in the next period calculated in step S14, the state related to the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the state related to the carry-in amount by the transportation means for carrying the material. The evaluation value is calculated for each candidate in a certain state. The evaluation value is calculated according to the content to be evaluated in the material operation plan.

In the present embodiment, the evaluation value is calculated based on the number of days of berthing of the ship in each berth, the remaining amount of coal in each silo, the remaining grace period in which coal can be stored, and the coal ratio switching rate used in each boiler. That is, the longer the berthing days of the ship in each berth, the higher the berthing cost. Therefore, the longer the berthing days of the ship, the lower the evaluation value. Further, when the remaining amount of coal in each silo becomes a predetermined value (for example, 10% of the full storage value) or less, there is a concern about a shortage of coal, so the remaining amount of coal is not more than the predetermined value. In that case, the lower the remaining amount, the lower the evaluation value. In addition, if the amount of coal stored in each silo exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 90% of the full amount of coal that can be stored), there is a concern that there will be a shortage of residual grace to further increase the amount of coal stored. When the stored amount is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the higher the stored amount, the lower the evaluation value. When combining evaluation values for multiple conditions, weight each condition and add them to calculate the overall evaluation value, or substitute the evaluation value for each condition into a predetermined function to calculate the overall evaluation value. May be calculated.

Moreover, the content to be evaluated when obtaining the evaluation value is not limited to these. For example, CO ₂ and NO _x emissions may be calculated based on the type of coal used and the amount used, and the higher the emission, the lower the evaluation value.

In step S18, candidates for the material management plan in the next period are narrowed down based on the evaluation value. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a material management plan selection means. The processing unit 10 applies a so-called beam search to narrow down the states that are candidates for the material management plan for the next period based on the evaluation value calculated in step S16. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the states are selected in descending order of the evaluation values calculated in step S16 from the plurality of state candidates in the next period obtained in step S14. For example, 100 states are selected in descending order of evaluation value from the candidates for the state of the next period obtained in 10000 ways in step S14.

In the narrowing down process of the state, a process for avoiding duplicate selection of candidates in the same state may be applied. For example, materials other than the quantity of materials such as differences in vessels moored in each berth and differences in coal types stored in each silo in the states of a plurality of next periods obtained in step S14. It is preferable to perform processing so as to prevent duplicate selection of similar states other than the quantity of.

For example, focusing on the coal types stored in each silo in the state of the next period obtained in step S14, a process in which a predetermined number or more of states having the same combination of coal types stored in each silo are not selected. And.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a combination of coal types and storage amounts stored in silos 1 to 3 in the next period determined in step S14. In states 1 and 3, coal A (upper product) and coal B (lower product) are stored in silo 1, coal C (lower product) is stored in silo 2, and coal D (lower product) is stored in silo 3. The types of coal stored in each other are the same. On the other hand, in the state 1, the storage amount of coal A in silo 1 is 10000 and the storage amount of coal B is 3000, whereas in the state 3, the storage amount of coal is 40,000 and 10000, respectively, and the storage amounts of coal are different from each other. There is. Further, in the state 1, coal A (upper product) and coal B (lower product) are stored in the silo 1, whereas in the state 2, coal D (upper product) and coal B (lower product) are stored in the silo 1. The product) is stored, and the types of coal stored are different. In such a case, a process is performed to make it difficult to select the state 1 and the state 3 in which the combination of the stored coal types of each silo is the same.

Specifically, a hash value is calculated for the combination of coal types stored in each silo. For the states with the same hash value, the distance between the states representing the difference in the amount of stored coal is calculated. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the sum of the absolute values of the differences in the storage amounts of the coals in the states 1 and 3 is calculated as the distance between the states 1 and 3. Specifically, the absolute value of the difference in the stored amount of coal A abs (10000-40000) + the absolute value of the difference in the stored amount of coal B abs (30000-10000) = 50,000 is defined as the distance between the state 1 and the state 2. To do. Then, when selecting a state from the state candidates in descending order of evaluation value, if a state having the same hash value is not selected, that state is selected. Further, if a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of the states having the same hash value have already been selected, that state is not selected. On the other hand, when the same hash value states are selected, but the number already selected is less than a predetermined number (for example, K), the distance from the already selected same hash value states is a predetermined threshold value. If it is (for example, threshold value M) or more, that state is selected. The threshold M may be changed according to the number of states having the same hash value already selected. For example, as the initial value TI of the threshold value M, the number of states n of the same hash value already selected, and the increase value TS of the threshold value M, the threshold value M = initial value TI + (number of states n-1) × increase value TS can be set. Suitable. In this way, by increasing the threshold value M for the distance between states as the number of states with the same hash value already selected increases, the distance increases as the number of states with the same hash value already selected increases. You can request that you do. Such a selection process is repeated until the number of selected states reaches a predetermined number (for example, N).

By performing the selection process of such a state, it is possible to avoid duplicate selection of candidates in the same state as the state of the next period, and it is possible to expand the range of variations of the material operation plan.

Similarly, focusing on the ships moored in each berth, the process may be such that a predetermined number or more of the same combinations of ships moored in each berth are not selected. Specifically, the hash value is calculated for the combination of vessels moored in each berth, and if the state of the same hash value is already selected in a predetermined number (for example, K) or more, that state should not be selected. do it. Furthermore, paying attention to the ship moored in each berth and the coal type loaded on the ship, it is predetermined that the combination of the ship moored in each berth and the coal type loaded on the ship is the same. The process may be such that no more than a number are selected. Specifically, a hash value is calculated for a combination of a ship moored in each berth and a coal type loaded on the ship, and a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of the same hash value states have already been selected. If so, the state should not be selected. At this time, similarly to the above, the difference in the load capacity of coal may be calculated as the difference in state, and only the states in which the difference in state is separated by a predetermined value or more may be selected for the states having the same hash value. ..

Further, the hash value may be obtained by combining a plurality of states. For example, if a hash value is calculated for the combination of the coal type stored in each silo and the vessels anchored in each berth, and if the same hash value state is already selected in a predetermined number (for example, K) or more, The state may not be selected.

The state of interest is not limited to these, and may be applied to a state in which a variation of the selected state is desired to be increased.

Further, when selecting a state, if the state obtained in step S14 includes a state that is not permitted in material operation, the state is not selected. The conditions that constrain the choice of state are the combination of coal types to be burned in each boiler (co-firing ratio), the combination of coal types that can be loaded or stored in ships and silos, the amount of coal that can be stored in silos (silo capacity), and the anchoring of ships. It can be the usability of the berth to be used, the usability of the silo, the usability of the boiler (the usability of the boiler during the combustion test period, the usability of the control panel curing period, etc.). As for the combination of coal types to be burned in each boiler (co-firing ratio), the combination of coal types that can be burned in each boiler and the mixing ratio thereof may be stored in advance in the storage unit 12 as a co-firing matrix. Further, as for the combination of coal types that can be loaded or stored in the ship or silo, the combination of coal types that can be loaded or stored in the ship or silo may be stored in advance in the storage unit 12. Other constraint conditions may also be stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. Then, when a state that does not satisfy the constraint condition to be satisfied in the state obtained in step S14 is included, it may be excluded from the selection target in advance.

In step S20, it is determined whether or not the state of the material management plan has been selected for the required period. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a determination means. If the state is selected over the entire required period in the material management plan, the process is transferred to step S22, and if not, the process is returned to step S12.

When the process is returned to step S12, the process of obtaining the state for the next period is repeated in steps S14 to S18 using the state of the next period selected in step S18 as new input data indicating the state of the previous period.

At this time, when a plurality of states are selected in step S18, each state is regarded as a state of the previous period, and a plurality of states in the next period are obtained for each state. Then, when the selection process is performed again in step S18, a predetermined number of states are selected from all the states obtained for the next period based on the evaluation value. By applying such a beam search, the number of states selected in each period can be kept constant, and as the steps progress, the number of candidate states for the next period that must be obtained diverges. Can be prevented.

In step S22, the final material management plan is set. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a material operation plan determining means. Finally, the processing unit 10 selects the state having the highest evaluation value based on the evaluation value calculated in step S16. Then, the states in the past period from the selected state to the state are traced back to the initial state, and they are determined as the final material operation plan.

As described above, according to the material operation planning device 100 in the present embodiment, the material operation planning device and the material operation planning program for creating an efficient material operation plan in a short time according to a given condition are provided. can do. In particular, by preventing candidates in the same state from being selected more than once, the range of variations of the repeatedly calculated material operation plan can be expanded, and a more appropriate material operation plan can be formulated.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, when the state in each period for creating the material operation plan is obtained, the processing is performed without judging the future situation, but the conditions required in the future cannot be satisfied. May be determined in advance, and such a state may be excluded from the search.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, a look-ahead selection process in step S24 is newly performed before the state narrowing process in step S18. Since the processing in the first modification differs from the above-described embodiment only in the processing in step S24, only the processing in the step will be described.

In step S24, it is determined whether or not the state of the next period determined in step S14 can satisfy the conditions to be satisfied in the future period. By the processing in the step, the material operation planning apparatus 100 functions as a look-ahead selection means. The processing unit 10 determines whether or not each of the states of the next period determined in step S14 can satisfy the condition based on the condition in the predetermined future period. Specifically, it is targeted in step S14 from the conditions in a predetermined future period based on the preconditions indicating the equipment requirements and operational restrictions regarding the transportation / carry-in, storage, use, etc. of materials. The state to be satisfied in the next period is calculated back, and it is determined whether the state in the next period obtained in step S14 satisfies the state.

For example, when a combustion test is performed in a boiler using coal of a desired coal type, it is determined in advance whether or not the coal of the desired coal type can be supplied to a predetermined boiler during the period in which the combustion test should be performed. Specifically, the judgment is made when the amount of coal that must be held at that time is less than the amount of coal that must be held at that time even when considering the coal supplied from the ship when considering future tests.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a method of calculating the amount of coal that must be held in a predetermined silo for a predetermined period in a combustion test by back calculation. If 10000 coals are used in the combustion tests at turns 4 and 5, then at least 10000 coals need to be stored before turn 5 and 20000 coals need to be stored before turn 4. Therefore, considering the load capacity of coal loaded on the ship that can be anchored in the berth (that is, the amount of coal that can be supplied from the ship) and the amount of coal that can be transported from the ship to the silo, the coal that needs to be stored until the current turn 1 Calculate the amount back. Based on the required coal storage amount calculated back in this way, it is determined whether or not the coal storage amount is satisfied in the state obtained in step S14. Then, the state in which the coal storage amount is not satisfied is excluded, and the state narrowing process in step S18 is performed.

In this way, the number of states to be narrowed down in step S18 can be reduced by determining whether or not the necessary states at the present time are satisfied based on the conditions to be satisfied in the future.

The scope of application of the look-ahead treatment is not limited to the amount of coal in the combustion test, and may be applied to other states. For example, it is calculated back based on the amount of coal that can be consumed in the boiler whether or not other coal types are deposited in the silo more than the amount of storage that can be consumed earlier for the coal type to be tested in the future. Therefore, it may be determined whether or not the current storage amount satisfies the conditions. Also, for example, whether or not the silo that needs to be emptied in the future stores an amount of coal that cannot be consumed is calculated back based on the amount of coal that can be consumed in the boiler, and the current storage amount is the condition. You may try to determine if you are satisfied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification 1, an example of creating a material operation plan for transporting / carrying in, storing, using, etc. of coal in a thermal power plant has been described, but the scope of application of the present invention is limited to this. It is not limited. For example, it can be applied to the situation of creating a material operation plan in a plant that transports / carries in, stores, uses, etc. natural gas and other resources. Furthermore, it can be applied to the situation of creating a material operation plan when transporting / carrying in parts in an equipment manufacturing factory, storing parts in a warehouse, using parts in a factory, and the like.

10 processing unit, 12 storage unit, 14 input unit, 16 output unit, 18 communication unit, 100 material operation planning device, 102 network.

Claims (14)

Preconditions for each period, including conditions related to the amount of storage in the material storage facility, conditions related to the amount of consumption in the material consumption facility, and conditions related to the amount of material carried in by the means of delivery, and the preconditions of the material by the means of delivery in the previous period. Based on the material operation plan for the previous period consisting of the combination of the amount of goods brought in, the amount of materials stored at the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed at the consumption facility, the materials by the transportation means in the period after the previous period. A material operation plan calculation means for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period, which are a combination of the amount of materials brought in, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility.
A material operation plan selection means that calculates an evaluation value for each of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period and selects an effective material operation plan from a plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value.
With
The material operation plan calculation means is characterized in that the material operation plan selected in the material operation plan selection means is used as a new material operation plan in the previous period, and a plurality of material operation plans in the next period are calculated. Planning equipment. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 1.
Conditions relating to the storage capacity of the material storage facility include the availability of the storage facility and the storage capacity of the storage facility.
The conditions regarding the consumption amount of the material in the consumption facility include the operating rate of the consumption facility and the usage amount of the material in the consumption facility.
The conditions relating to the amount of material carried in by the means for carrying in the material include the amount of material loaded in the means of transportation and the amount of material carried in from the means of delivery to the storage facility.
A material operation planning device characterized by this. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The material operation planning device is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated according to at least one of the state of the transportation means, the storage amount of the material in the storage facility, and the usage ratio of the material in the consumption facility. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The material operation plan selection means applies a process for avoiding duplicate selection of candidates having similar states for the states of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period. apparatus. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The material is coal, the storage facility is a silo, the consumption facility is a boiler, and the means of delivery is a ship.
The conditions for the amount of storage in the material storage facility are the availability of each silo and the amount of coal that can be stored in each silo.
The conditions regarding the consumption amount in the material consumption facility are the operating rate for each boiler, the coal type used for each boiler, and the amount used.
The conditions for the amount of coal carried in by the means of delivery of materials are the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship and the amount of coal carried from the ship to the silo.
A material operation planning device characterized by this. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 5.
The evaluation value is based on the coal type and load capacity loaded on the ship, the remaining amount of coal in the silo and the remaining grace period in which coal can be stored, the coal ratio switching rate used in the boiler, the coal type and amount used. A material operation planning device characterized in that it is calculated according to at least one of CO ₂ and NO _x emissions. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 6.
The longer the berth of the ship, the lower the evaluation value, the less the remaining amount of the silo, the lower the evaluation value, the less the remaining grace period that can be stored in the silo, the lower the evaluation value, and the coal ratio switching rate in combustion in the boiler A material operation planning device characterized in that the higher the value, the lower the evaluation value, and the higher the CO ₂ , NO _x emissions, the lower the evaluation value. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The material operation plan selection means is a material operation planning device, characterized in that a predetermined number or more of states in which the combination of coal types stored in the silo is the same are not selected. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 8.
The material operation plan selection means is characterized in that it selects a state in which the combination of coal types stored in the silo is the same and the difference in the amount of coal stored is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. apparatus. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The material operation plan selection means is a material operation planning device, characterized in that a predetermined number or more of states in which the combinations of vessels moored in the berth are equal are not selected. The material operation planning apparatus according to claim 10.
The material operation plan selection means is a material operation planning device, characterized in that the combination of ships moored in a berth is equal and the difference in coal loading capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The material operation plan selection means is a material operation planning device, characterized in that a predetermined number or more of states in which the combination of a ship moored in a berth and the coal type loaded on the ship are the same are not selected. The material operation planning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
The state to be satisfied in the next period is calculated back based on the conditions in the predetermined future period, and the state that satisfies the state to be satisfied is selected from the states in the next period obtained by the material operation plan calculation means. A material operation planning device characterized by further providing a look-ahead selection means. Computer,
Preconditions for each period, including conditions related to the amount of storage in the material storage facility, conditions related to the amount of consumption in the material consumption facility, and conditions related to the amount of material carried in by the means of delivery, and the preconditions of the material by the means of delivery in the previous period. Based on the material operation plan for the previous period consisting of the combination of the amount of goods brought in, the amount of materials stored at the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed at the consumption facility, the materials by the transportation means in the period after the previous period. A material operation plan calculation means for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period, which are a combination of the amount of materials brought in, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of materials consumed in the consumption facility.
A material operation plan selection means that calculates an evaluation value for each of a plurality of material operation plans in the next period and selects an effective material operation plan from a plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value.
To function as
The material operation plan calculation means is characterized in that the material operation plan selected in the material operation plan selection means is used as a new material operation plan in the previous period, and a plurality of material operation plans in the next period are calculated. Planning program.

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