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Welcome to AAI's monthly Innovations, where we share with you the best practices in simulation engineering through case studies and industry experience. In this month's issue, we focus on how simulation was used to provide a detailed evaluation of a proposed infrastructure design of a bulk cargo transloading facility. Simulation Validates Design Proposals for Facility Developments The McDuffie Coal Terminal, operated by the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) is one of the largest coal terminals in the country with a throughput capacity of more than 20 million tons of coal per year. Over the next 5 -10 years, it is estimated that the coal export volume will triple, thereby increasing the demand on the terminal's existing infrastructure. To accommodate the growth, the ASPA felt an upgrade of their facilities would be required and requested an evaluation by a third-party design team to help assess the need for expansion.As part of the site assessment the design team contracted with Automation Associates, Inc. (AAI), a division of TranSystems Corporation, to perform an analysis of the proposed operational and physical changes through simulation modeling. The simulation model was run across a range of scenarios and conditions and revealed current bottlenecks at the facility, further validating the proposed developments. Based on the presentation of the team's design and the accompanying modeling results from AAI, the design team could accurately project a clear performance improvement. |
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