System for optimizing transportation scheduling and inventory management of bulk product from supply locations to demand locations
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising memory and a processor, the computer system being programmed to perform steps comprising:
- providing a mathematical model containing equations that model transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from multiple supply locations to multiple demand locationsto minimize cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product,the model includes a parameter for demurrage rate and constraints for minimum flow rates at the demand locations, maximum flow rates at the demand locations, and vessel draft limits, andthe model includes decision variables for;
(i) the amount of bulk product to be loaded from a supply location onto a vessel, (ii) the amount of bulk product to be discharged from a vessel to a demand location, and (iii) demurrage time for a vessel;
receiving data relating to the characteristics of a fleet of vessels, supply locations, and demand locations;
applying the data to the mathematical model; and
minimizing cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product using a mathematical optimization solver to solve the mathematical model based upon the constraints and decision variables.
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Abstract
An optimization system for transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from supply locations to demand locations is provided. The system has a mathematical model containing mathematical programming equations. In one embodiment, the objective function of the mathematical model is to minimize a cost basis of the product transported. The system also has a database system for data input that interfaces with the mathematical model. The last component of the system is a mathematical optimization solver that solves the equations provided by the mathematical model after the mathematical model receives data from the database system. As a result, the optimization system provides optimized or simulated results for the input data.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising memory and a processor, the computer system being programmed to perform steps comprising:
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providing a mathematical model containing equations that model transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from multiple supply locations to multiple demand locations to minimize cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product, the model includes a parameter for demurrage rate and constraints for minimum flow rates at the demand locations, maximum flow rates at the demand locations, and vessel draft limits, and the model includes decision variables for;
(i) the amount of bulk product to be loaded from a supply location onto a vessel, (ii) the amount of bulk product to be discharged from a vessel to a demand location, and (iii) demurrage time for a vessel;receiving data relating to the characteristics of a fleet of vessels, supply locations, and demand locations; applying the data to the mathematical model; and minimizing cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product using a mathematical optimization solver to solve the mathematical model based upon the constraints and decision variables. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for minimizing a total cost basis for the transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product over a period of time, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a mathematical model containing equations that model transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product from multiple supply locations to multiple demand locations to minimize cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product, the model includes a parameter for demurrage rate and constraints for minimum flow rates at the demand locations, maximum flow rates at the demand locations, and vessel draft limits; and the model includes decision variables for;
(i) the amount of bulk product to be loaded from a supply location onto a vessel, (ii) the amount of bulk product to be discharged from a vessel to a demand location, and (iii) demurrage time for a vessel;receiving data relating to the characteristics of a fleet of vessels, supply locations, and demand locations; applying the data to the mathematical model; minimizing a total cost basis for the transportation scheduling and inventory management of a bulk product over a period of time by minimizing the cost per unit volume or mass of the bulk product by solving the mathematical model by a computer system based upon the constraints and decision variables; determining a transportation plan based on the solution to the mathematical model; and loading bulk product onto a vessel, discharging bulk product from a vessel, or both, according to the transportation plan. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification