JP7402389B2 - Material operation planning device and material operation planning program - Google Patents

Description

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

Various types of fuel are used in plants such as thermal power plants, and it is necessary to safely, reliably and securely transport the various types of fuels with different characteristics from the time they are received from the carrier to the time they are used at the plant via multiple storage facilities. There is a need for efficient scheduling technology.

A technique for planning the start and stop of a generator has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). This technology introduces a priority list method that can quickly obtain a solution to cope with the increase in calculation time associated with the expansion of the system scale. Several heuristic methods are used to generate multiple initial solutions based on the solution obtained using the priority list method, and to generate high-quality solutions in a short time only for those solutions that are likely to improve. is applied.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-064901

By the way, the operation of materials such as fuel needs to be reviewed each time depending on the usage status of the plant. Currently, planning for the use of such materials is carried out by experienced personnel, as there are many factors to consider and they are intricately related. However, there are problems in that it requires a very high level of skill and takes a long time to create a plan. In addition, plant operation plans are heavily dependent on the know-how of a small number of skilled engineers.

On the other hand, when creating such a material management plan using a computer, it is necessary to use enormous computational resources when searching all possible states.

One aspect of the present invention is to set preconditions including, for each period, conditions regarding the storage amount of materials at a storage facility, conditions regarding the consumption amount at a material consumption facility, and conditions regarding the amount brought in by a transportation means for bringing in the materials; A material operation plan for the previous period consisting of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means during the period, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of material consumed at the consumption facility, in the future than in 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 brought in by the transportation means, the amount of materials stored in the storage facility, and the amount of consumption of materials at the consumption facility during the period; Material operation plan selection means for calculating an evaluation value for each of the plurality of material operation plans in the next period, and selecting an effective material operation plan from the plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value. , wherein the material management plan calculation means calculates the material management plan selected by the material management plan selection means as a new material management plan for the previous period, and further calculates a plurality of material management plans for the next period. It is an operation planning device.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer with preconditions that include, for each period, conditions regarding the storage amount of materials at a storage facility, conditions regarding the consumption amount at a material consumption facility, and conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by means of transportation. and a material operation plan for the previous period consisting of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means, the storage amount of materials at the storage facility, and the consumption amount of materials at the consumption facility in the previous period. material operation plan calculation for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period, which are made up of a combination of the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means, the storage amount of materials at the storage facility, and the consumption amount of materials at the consumption facility in a period in the future than means, and material operation plan selection means that 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 the plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value. , and the material management plan calculation means calculates the material management plan selected by the material management plan selection means as a new material management plan for the previous period, and further calculates a plurality of material management plans for the next period. This is a material management planning program with special features.

Here, the conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility include the usability of the storage facility and the storable amount of the storage facility, and the conditions regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility include the operating rate of the consumption facility, Conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means that brings in the materials, including the amount of materials used at the consumption facility, include the amount of materials loaded in the transportation means, and the amount of materials brought from the transportation means to the storage facility. It is preferable that

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

Further, it is preferable that the material management plan selection means apply processing to avoid duplicate selection of candidates with similar states regarding the states of a plurality of material management 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 conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility are set for each silo. The conditions for the consumption of materials at facilities are the operating rate of each boiler, the type and amount of coal used in each boiler, and the amount of coal that can be stored in each silo. It is preferable that the conditions regarding the amount carried in by means of transportation are the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship, and the amount of coal carried from the ship to the silo.

In addition, the above evaluation value is based on the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship, the remaining amount of coal in the silo and the remaining amount of coal that can be stored, the switching rate of the coal ratio used in the boiler, the type of coal used and the amount used. It is preferable that the calculation is performed based on at least one of CO ₂ and NO _x emissions.

In addition, the evaluation value is lowered as the number of days the ship is berthed is longer, the evaluation value is lowered as the amount remaining in the silo is reduced, the evaluation value is lowered as the remaining amount of time that can be stored in the silo is reduced, and the ratio of coal in combustion in the boiler is changed. It is preferable that the higher the rate, the lower the evaluation value, and the higher the emissions of CO ₂ and NO _x , 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 coal types stored in the silos that have the same combination of coal types.

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

Further, it is preferable that the material management plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combinations of vessels berthed at berths are equal.

Further, it is preferable that the material operation plan selection means selects a state in which the combinations of vessels berthed at the berth are equal and the difference in coal loading 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 ships berthed at the berth and the types of coal loaded on the ships are the same.

In addition, the conditions to be satisfied in the next period are calculated backward based on the conditions for a predetermined future period, and the conditions that satisfy the conditions to be satisfied in the next period calculated by the material management plan calculation means are calculated. It is preferable to further include a prefetch selection means for selecting.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a material management planning device and a material management planning program that create an efficient material management plan in a short time according to given conditions.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a material management planning device in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows material operation planning processing in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of input data in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of input data in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of input data in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of calculation processing of material utilization progress in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of calculation processing of material utilization progress in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the narrowing down of the state of material utilization progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the narrowing down of the state of material utilization progress in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows material operation planning processing in modification 1 of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the prefetching process in the modification 1 of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the material management planning device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a processing section 10, a storage section 12, an input section 14, an output section 16, and a communication section 18. The processing unit 10 includes means for performing arithmetic processing such as a CPU. The processing unit 10 executes a material management plan program stored in the storage unit 12 to realize a function of creating a material management plan for transporting/loading, storing, using, etc. materials. The storage unit 12 includes storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a memory card. The storage unit 12 is connected to the processing unit 10 so that it can be accessed, and stores a material management planning program and information necessary for its processing. The input unit 14 includes means for inputting information. The input unit 14 includes, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, etc., for receiving information input from a person in charge of material management planning. The output unit 16 includes means for outputting processing results such as a user interface screen (UI) for receiving input information from a person in charge. The output unit 16 includes, for example, a display that presents images. The communication unit 18 is configured to include an interface that communicates information with an external terminal, a ship, etc. via the network 102. Communication by the communication unit 18 may be wired or wireless.

In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a material operation plan is created regarding the transportation/loading, storage, and use (combustion) of coal in a thermal power plant. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the creation of material operation plans for the transportation, loading, storage, and use of various materials in plants, factories, etc. that use materials. can.

The material management planning process in this embodiment will be described below along the flowchart of FIG.

In step S10, precondition setting processing is performed. Through the processing in this step, the material operation planning device 100 functions as a precondition setting means. When creating a materials operation plan in the materials operation planning device 100, preconditions are set that indicate equipment requirements and operational limitations regarding the transportation/loading, storage, use, etc. of materials.

The preconditions include conditions regarding the amount of materials stored at the material storage facility, conditions regarding the amount of materials consumed at the material consumption facility, and conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by the transportation means that brings the materials.

In this embodiment, the number of silos and boilers for each mill in a thermal power plant, and the number of berths (ports) where ships are moored are set as prerequisites. Furthermore, as conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility, the usability of each silo and the storable amount of each silo are set for each period (date and time) during which the thermal power plant is operated. In addition, as conditions regarding the amount of consumption in the material consumption facility, the operating rate of each boiler, the type of coal used in the boiler, and the ratio at the time of use are set. Furthermore, the type of coal loaded and the amount loaded on each ship are set as conditions regarding the amount carried in by the transportation means for carrying the materials. Furthermore, the coal transport speed between each facility, the minimum coal transport unit, etc. are set as preconditions.

The period for creating the material management plan can be a predetermined period, such as every half day (daily morning and afternoon) or every hour. If the preconditions differ for each period, the preconditions may be set for each predetermined period.

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

In step S12, input data acquisition processing is performed. Through the processing in this step, the material operation planning device 100 functions as a data acquisition means. When creating a materials operation plan in the materials operation planning device 100, data indicating the initial state or the state related to materials management in the previous period is acquired as input data.

In the present embodiment, the input data includes data regarding the storage amount of materials at the storage facility, data regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and data regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means for transporting the materials. Data regarding the amount stored in material storage facilities shall include the type and amount of coal stored in each silo, which is the storage facility. Here, when storing multiple types of coal in one silo, for example, data may be acquired separately for the types of coal stored in the upper region of the silo and the types of coal stored in the lower region. In addition, the data regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility shall include the type and amount of coal used for each boiler that burns coal. Further, when a plurality of coals are mixed and burned in one boiler, data on the main coal type, secondary coal type, and their mixing ratio may be acquired. In addition, data regarding the amount brought in by means of transportation used to bring in materials includes ships berthed at each berth, the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship, waiting ships that are not berthed, and the amount of coal loaded on the ship. The data includes the coal type and loading amount.

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

Furthermore, the input data is not limited to data representing one state of material operation, but may be data representing multiple states. For example, when acquiring data indicating the state of the material operation plan calculated in step S14 and selected in step S16, which will be described later, as input data indicating the state of material operation in the previous period, the input data is data indicating a plurality of states. becomes.

3 to 5 show examples of input data. FIG. 3 shows an example of input data related to the amount of material brought in by a transport means. Vessel ID of the vessel berthed at each berth (berths 1 and 2), the type and amount of coal loaded on the vessel, the vessel ID of the vessel waiting without berthing at the berth, and the amount of coal loaded on the vessel The input data is the coal type and loading amount. FIG. 4 shows an example of input data regarding the amount stored in a material storage facility. The type and amount of coal stored in each silo (silos 1 to 3) are input data. Here, an example is shown in which different types of coal are stored in the upper and lower parts of each silo. FIG. 5 shows an example of input data regarding the consumption amount of materials at a consumption facility. The type of coal (main/secondary) and usage amount consumed in each boiler (boilers 1 and 2) are input data. In this example, the input data of 5/1/2019 is used as data indicating the state regarding material management in the initial state. In addition, the data after 5/1PM/2019 shows one state finally set for each period as the material management plan, but in step S18 described later, candidates for the state to be the material management plan are determined. If multiple items are selected, the input data will be data indicating multiple states.

In step S14, calculation processing of a material management plan for a future period is performed. Through the processing in this step, the material management planning device 100 functions as a material management plan calculation means. The processing unit 10 searches possible states of each facility regarding the use 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 regarding the storage amount of materials at the storage facility, the data regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the data regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means to bring in the materials input in step S12 are calculated based on the data regarding the material operation in the previous period. The basic data includes information regarding the storage amount of materials at the storage facility in the next period, the amount of consumption at the material consumption facility, and the amount brought in by the transportation means used to bring in the materials in order to satisfy the preconditions set in step S10. Find the state. In other words, based on the operating rate of each boiler for the next period set as preconditions, the type of coal used in the boiler and its usage ratio, and the transport speed of coal between each facility, Determine how much coal should be transported from which silo to which boiler based on the coal type and storage amount. At this time, when multiple coals are mixed and combusted in one boiler, data on the main coal type, secondary coal type, and their mixing ratio can be used to compare the data on multiple silos storing different types of coal. It may be considered to convey coal from one boiler to another.

Also, based on the usability of each silo, the storage capacity of each silo, and the type and amount of coal loaded on each ship, which are set as preconditions, which ship will be berthed at which berth (port)? , find out how much coal should be transported from which berthed ship to which silo. At this time, if multiple types of coal are to be stored in one silo, it may be considered to stack the types of coal stored in the upper area of the silo and the types of coal stored in the lower area. good. As a result, based on the data regarding the amount stored in the material storage facility in the previous period, the data regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the data regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means to bring in the material, the The status regarding the storage amount, the status regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the status regarding the amount brought in are calculated based on the transportation means for bringing in the material.

In other words, in the next period, which ships will be berthed at which berths (ports), how much coal will be transported from which ships at the berths (ports) to which silos, and from which silos to which boilers. determine how much coal will be transported to the boiler and how much coal will be burned and consumed in which boiler. In addition, the movement of such ships, the transportation of coal, the state of berth of ships at berths after coal consumption (number of days at berth, etc.), the amount of coal loaded on ships, and the amount of 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 status regarding the storage amount of materials at the storage facility, the status regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the status regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means for bringing in the materials in the next period are determined.

Here, the status regarding the storage amount of materials at the storage facility in the next period calculated based on the preconditions and input data, the status regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the status regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means to bring in the material. The combination of is not limited to one. Therefore, the processing unit 10 determines the possible combinations of the storage amount in the material storage facility, the consumption amount in the material consumption facility, and the amount brought in by the transportation means for transporting the material in the next period. Find multiple state candidates. For example, if there are 100 input data indicating the state of each facility in the previous period, there may be more than 10,000 candidates for states that each facility can take in the next period that satisfy the preconditions.

Figures 6 and 7 show the ship IDs of ships berthed at each berth in each period, the type and amount of coal transported from the ship to each silo, and the type and amount of coal transported from each silo to each boiler. Here is an example of quantity. In response to the transportation and use of coal, it is possible to calculate the amount of coal remaining on each ship, the amount of coal stored in each silo, the amount of coal used in each boiler, etc. for the next period. can. As an example, Figures 6 and 7 show only the values finally set as the material operation plan for each period, but as mentioned above, in reality, the amount of coal transported that satisfies the prerequisites and the values for the next period are shown. Since various combinations of the states of ships, silos, boilers, etc. are possible, various combinations that satisfy the prerequisites are calculated in this step.

In step S16, evaluation values are calculated for each of the plurality of state candidates found for the next period. Through the processing in this step, the material operation planning device 100 functions as an evaluation value calculation means. The processing unit 10 calculates the combination of the state regarding the storage amount of the material in the storage facility in the next period calculated in step S14, the state regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility, and the state regarding the amount brought in by the transportation means for transporting the material. An 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 management plan.

In this embodiment, the evaluation value is calculated based on the number of days the ship is berthed at each berth, the remaining amount of coal in each silo, the remaining amount of coal that can be stored, and the coal proportion switching rate used in each boiler. That is, the longer the number of days the ship is berthed at each berth, the higher the berthing cost will be, so the longer the number of days the ship is berthed, the lower the evaluation value will be. In addition, if the remaining amount of coal in each silo is less than a predetermined value (for example, 10% of the full storage value), there is a concern that there will be a shortage of coal, so if the remaining amount of coal is below the predetermined value. In this 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 storage amount that can store coal), there is a concern that there will be insufficient remaining time to further increase the amount of coal stored. When the storage amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the evaluation value is set to be lower as the storage amount increases. When combining evaluation values for multiple conditions, calculate the overall evaluation value by weighting and adding each condition, or by substituting the evaluation values for each condition into a predetermined function. You may also calculate.

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

In step S18, candidates for the material management plan for the next period are narrowed down based on the evaluation values. Through the processing in this step, the material management planning device 100 functions as material management plan selection means. The processing unit 10 applies a so-called beam search to narrow down 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, states are selected from the plurality of candidate states for the next period obtained in step S14 in descending order of the evaluation value calculated in step S16. For example, in step S14, 100 states are selected in descending order of evaluation value from the 10,000 possible states for the next period found.

In the process of narrowing down the state, processing may be applied to avoid duplicate selection of candidates with similar states. For example, based on situations other than the quantity of materials, such as differences in ships berthed at each berth and differences in the types of coal stored in each silo in the states of the plurality of next periods determined in step S14, It is preferable to perform processing to avoid duplicate selection of states that are similar except for the quantity.

For example, focusing on the coal types stored in each silo in the state of the next period determined in step S14, a process is performed such that a predetermined number or more of states in which the combination of coal types stored in each silo is equal are not selected. shall be.

FIG. 9 shows an example of combinations 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, silo 1 stores coal A (upper load) and coal B (lower load), silo 2 stores coal C (lower load), and silo 3 stores coal D (lower load). The type of coal stored in both locations is the same. On the other hand, in state 1, the storage amount of coal A in silo 1 is 10,000 and the storage amount of coal B is 3,000, while in state 3 they are 40,000 and 10,000, respectively, and the storage amounts of coal are different from each other. There is. Also, in state 1, coal A (top stack) and coal B (bottom stack) are stored in silo 1, whereas in state 2, coal D (top stack) and coal B (bottom stack) are stored in silo 1. The types of coal stored are different. In such a case, processing is performed to prevent states 1 and 3, in which the combination of coal types stored in each silo is the same, from being selected redundantly.

Specifically, a hash value is calculated for the combination of coal types stored in each silo. Furthermore, for 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 coal in states 1 and 3 is calculated as the distance between states 1 and 3. Specifically, the absolute value abs (10000-40000) of the difference in the storage amount of coal A + the absolute value abs (30000-10000) = 50000 of the difference in the storage amount of coal B is the distance between state 1 and state 2. do. Then, when selecting states from the state candidates in descending order of evaluation value, if a state with the same hash value is not selected, that state is selected. Further, if a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of states with the same hash value have already been selected, that state is not selected. On the other hand, if states with the same hash value are selected, but the number of states that have already been selected is less than a predetermined number (for example, K), the distance from the state with the same hash value that has already been selected is a predetermined threshold. (For example, threshold value M) or more, that state is selected. The threshold M may be changed depending on the number of states with the same hash value that have already been selected. For example, the initial value TI of the threshold M, the number n of states of the same hash value that has already been selected, and the increase value TS of the threshold M can be set as follows: threshold M = initial value TI + (number of states n - 1) x increase value TS. suitable. In this way, by increasing the threshold M for the distance between states as the number of states with the same hash value that have already been selected increases, the distance between the states increases as the number of states with the same hash value that has already been selected increases. You can request that the Such selection processing is repeated until the number of selected states reaches a predetermined number (for example, N).

By performing such a state selection process, it is possible to avoid duplicate selection of candidates with similar states as the next period's state, and it is possible to expand the range of variations in the material management plan.

Note that similarly, processing may be performed in which a predetermined number or more of states in which the combinations of ships berthed at each berth are equal are not selected by focusing on ships berthed at each berth. Specifically, a hash value is calculated for the combination of ships berthed at each berth, and if a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of states with the same hash value have already been selected, that state is not selected. do it. Furthermore, focusing on the ships berthed at each berth and the types of coal loaded on the ships, a state is established in which the combinations of ships berthed at each berth and the types of coal loaded on the ships are equal. Processing may be performed such that no more than a number of items are selected. Specifically, hash values are calculated for the combinations of ships moored at each berth and the types of coal loaded on the ships, and a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of states with the same hash value have already been selected. If so, you can simply avoid selecting that state. At this time, in the same way as above, the difference in the amount of coal loaded may be calculated as the difference in states, and for states with the same hash value, only the states in which the difference in states is greater than a predetermined value may be selected. .

Alternatively, a hash value may be obtained by combining a plurality of states. For example, if a hash value is calculated for the combination of coal types stored in each silo and ships moored at each berth, and a predetermined number (for example, K) or more of states with the same hash value have already been selected, That state may not be selected.

Note that the states of interest are not limited to these, and may be applied to states where it is desired to increase the variation of selected states.

Furthermore, when selecting a state, if the state determined in step S14 includes a state that is not allowed in material management, that state is not selected. Conditions that constrain the selection of conditions include the combination of coal types to be burned in each boiler (co-combustion ratio), the combination of coal types that can be loaded or stored on a ship or silo, the amount of coal that can be stored in a silo (silo capacity), and the berth of the ship. availability of berths, availability of silos, availability of boilers (availability of boilers during combustion tests, availability of boilers during panel curing, etc.). The combination of coal types (mixed combustion ratio) to be combusted in each boiler may be stored in advance in the storage unit 12 as a mixed combustion matrix of combinations of coal types that can be combusted in each boiler and their mixing ratios. Further, the combinations of coal types that can be loaded or stored on a ship or a silo may be stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. Other constraints may also be stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. If the states found in step S14 include states that do not satisfy the constraint conditions that should be met, the states may be excluded from the selection targets in advance.

In step S20, it is determined whether the state of the material management plan has been selected for the required period. Through the processing in this step, the material management planning device 100 functions as a determining means. If the state is selected for the entire period required in the material management plan, the process moves to step S22, and if not, the process returns to step S12.

When the process returns to step S12, the state of the next period selected in step S18 is used as new input data indicating the state of the previous period, and the process of determining the state of the next period is repeated in steps S14 to S18.

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

In step S22, a final material management plan is set. Through the processing in this step, the material management planning device 100 functions as a material management plan determining means. The processing unit 10 selects the state with the highest evaluation value based on the evaluation value finally calculated in step S16. Then, the states in the past period from the selected state to the current state are traced back to the initial state, and these are determined as the final material management plan.

As described above, the material management planning device 100 according to the present embodiment provides a material management planning device and a material management planning program that create an efficient material management plan in a short time according to given conditions. can do. In particular, by preventing candidates with similar conditions from being selected repeatedly, it is possible to expand the range of variations in the repeatedly calculated material management plan, and it is possible to formulate a more appropriate material management plan.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, when determining the state in each period for creating a material management plan, processing is performed without making any judgments about the future situation, but there is a possibility that the conditions required in the future cannot be met. may be determined in advance, and such a state may be excluded from the search.

Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the prefetch selection process in step S24 is newly performed before the state narrowing process in step S18. The processing in the first modification is different from the above embodiment only in the processing in step S24, so only the processing in this step will be described.

In step S24, it is determined whether or not the condition for the next period obtained in step S14 can further satisfy the conditions to be satisfied in a future period. Through the processing in this step, the material management planning device 100 functions as a prefetch selection means. Based on the predetermined conditions for the future period, the processing unit 10 determines whether each of the states for the next period determined in step S14 can satisfy the conditions. Specifically, based on preconditions indicating equipment requirements and operational limitations regarding material transportation/loading, storage, use, etc., conditions for a predetermined future period are targeted in step S14. The state to be satisfied in the next period is calculated backwards, and it is determined whether the state in the next period obtained in step S14 satisfies the state.

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

FIG. 11 shows an example of a method for back-calculating the amount of coal that must be held in a predetermined silo for a predetermined period in a combustion test. If 10,000 coals are used in the combustion test in turns 4 and 5, a storage of 10,000 coals is required before turn 5 and a storage of 20,000 coals is required before turn 4. Therefore, considering the amount of coal loaded on a ship that can berth at a berth (i.e., 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, it is necessary to determine the amount of coal that needs to be stored until the current turn 1. Calculate the amount backwards. Based on the required amount of coal storage calculated in this way as a reference, it is determined whether or not the amount of coal storage is satisfied in the state determined in step S14. Then, the state narrowing down process in step S18 is performed by excluding the state where the coal storage amount is not satisfied.

In this way, by determining whether or not the necessary state is satisfied at the present time based on the condition to be satisfied in the future, it is possible to reduce the number of states to be narrowed down in step S18.

Note that the scope of application of the look-ahead process is not limited to the amount of coal in the combustion test, and may be applied to other conditions. For example, based on the amount of coal that can be consumed in the boiler, it is calculated backwards to determine whether or not other coal types are stored in silos in excess of the storage amount that can be consumed first compared to the coal type that is the subject of future tests. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the current storage amount satisfies the conditions. Also, for example, by calculating backwardly based on the consumable amount of coal in the boiler to determine whether or not there is an unconsumable amount of coal stored in a silo that will need to be emptied in the future, the current amount of storage satisfies the conditions. It may be determined whether or not the conditions are satisfied.

Further, in the above embodiment and modification 1, an example was explained in which a material operation plan for transporting, importing, storing, using, etc. coal in a thermal power plant is created, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited. For example, it can also be applied to the situation of creating a material operation plan in a plant that transports, imports, stores, uses, etc. natural gas and other resources. Furthermore, it can also be applied to the situation where a material usage plan is created when transporting/loading parts in an equipment manufacturing factory, storing parts in a warehouse, using parts in a factory, etc.

Reference Signs List 10 processing section, 12 storage section, 14 input section, 16 output section, 18 communication section, 100 material operation planning device, 102 network.

Claims (13)

Preconditions for each period, including conditions regarding the storage amount of materials at storage facilities, conditions regarding the consumption amount at material consumption facilities, and conditions regarding the amount brought in by means of transportation to bring in materials, and conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by means of transportation in the previous period. materials by the transportation means in a future period than the previous period, based on a material operation plan for the previous period consisting of a combination of the amount brought in, the storage amount of materials in the storage facility, and the consumption amount of materials in the consumption facility. a material operation plan calculating means for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period, each of which is a combination of the amount of material brought in, the amount of material stored in the storage facility, and the amount of material consumed in the consumption facility;
Material operation plan selection means that 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 the plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value;
Equipped with
Conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility include the availability of the storage facility, the storage capacity of the storage facility,
Conditions regarding the consumption amount of materials at the consumption facility include the operating rate of the consumption facility, the amount of material used at the consumption facility,
Conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by a transportation means include the loading amount of materials on the transportation means and the amount of materials brought from the transportation means to the storage facility,
The material management plan calculation means is characterized in that the material management plan selected by the material management plan selection means is used as a new material management plan for the previous period, and further calculates a plurality of material management plans for the next period. Planning device. The material operation planning device according to claim 1 ,
The materials management planning device is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated according to at least one of the condition of a transportation means, the amount of materials stored in a storage facility, and the usage ratio of materials in a consumption facility. The material operation planning device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The material management plan selection means is characterized in that the material management plan selection means applies processing to avoid duplicate selection of candidates in the same state regarding the state of a plurality of material management plans in the next period. Device. The material operation planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The material is coal, the storage facility is a silo, the consumption facility is a boiler, and the transportation means is a ship,
The conditions regarding the amount of storage in material storage facilities are the usability of each silo, the amount of coal that can be stored in each silo,
The conditions regarding the consumption amount at the material consumption facility are the operating rate of each boiler, the type and amount of coal used in each boiler,
The conditions regarding the amount brought in by means of transportation for bringing in materials are the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship, the amount of coal brought in from the ship to the silo,
A material operation planning device characterized by: The material operation planning device according to claim 4 ,
The above evaluation value is based on the type and amount of coal loaded on the ship, the remaining amount of coal in the silo and the remaining amount of coal that can be stored, the switching rate of the coal ratio used in the boiler, the type of coal used and the amount used. A material operation planning device characterized in that the calculation is performed according to at least one of CO2 and NOx emissions. The material operation planning device according to claim 5 ,
The evaluation value is lowered as the number of days the ship is berthed is longer, the evaluation value is lowered as the remaining amount in the silo is decreased, the evaluation value is lowered as the remaining grace that can be stored in the silo is decreased, and the coal ratio switching rate in combustion in the boiler is A material operation planning device characterized in that the higher the amount of CO2 and NOx emissions, the lower the evaluation value. The material operation planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The material management planning device is characterized in that the material management plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combination of coal types stored in the silos is the same. The material operation planning device according to claim 7 ,
The material management plan selection means is characterized in that the material management plan selection means selects a state in which the combination of coal types stored in the silos is the same and a difference in the amount of stored coal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Device. The material operation planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The material management planning device is characterized in that the material management plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combinations of ships berthed at berths are equal. The material operation planning device according to claim 9 ,
The material management planning device is characterized in that the material management plan selection means selects a state in which the combinations of ships berthed at berths are equal and the difference in coal loading is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The material operation planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The material management planning device is characterized in that the material management plan selection means does not select more than a predetermined number of states in which the combinations of ships moored at the berth and coal types loaded on the ships are the same. The material operation planning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The conditions to be satisfied in the next period are calculated backward based on the conditions for a predetermined future period, and the condition that satisfies the conditions to be satisfied is selected from among the conditions in the next period determined by the material management plan calculation means. A material operation planning device further comprising a look-ahead selection means. computer,
Preconditions for each period, including conditions regarding the storage amount of materials at storage facilities, conditions regarding the consumption amount at material consumption facilities, and conditions regarding the amount brought in by means of transportation to bring in materials, and conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by means of transportation in the previous period. materials by the transportation means in a future period than the previous period, based on a material operation plan for the previous period consisting of a combination of the amount brought in, the storage amount of materials in the storage facility, and the consumption amount of materials in the consumption facility. a material operation plan calculating means for calculating a plurality of material operation plans for the next period, each of which is a combination of the amount of material brought in, the amount of material stored in the storage facility, and the amount of material consumed in the consumption facility;
Material operation plan selection means that 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 the plurality of material operation plans in the next period based on the evaluation value;
function as
Conditions regarding the storage amount in the material storage facility include the availability of the storage facility, the storage capacity of the storage facility,
Conditions regarding the consumption amount of materials at the consumption facility include the operating rate of the consumption facility, the amount of material used at the consumption facility,
Conditions regarding the amount of materials brought in by a transportation means include the loading amount of materials on the transportation means and the amount of materials brought from the transportation means to the storage facility,
The material management plan calculation means is characterized in that the material management plan selected by the material management plan selection means is used as a new material management plan for the previous period, and further calculates a plurality of material management plans for the next period. planning program.

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