Simulation-Based Quantitative Evaluation Method for Water–Water Transshipment Coal Terminals

Abstract

Determining how to quantitatively analyze and evaluate a terminal layout is important for terminal design and construction organizations. In this study, a simulation-based quantitative analysis and an evaluation method were proposed to solve the comparison problem of water–water transshipment coal terminals. A simulation model that includes the seagoing ship-arrival subsystem, the yard operation subsystem, the barge arrival subsystem, and the performance indicator statistical subsystem was established. Based on the particularity of the loading and unloading operations of water–water transshipment coal terminals, the effect of the fluctuation in the seagoing ship-unloading efficiency and the barge loading efficiency on the operation of a terminal was considered in the model. Simulation models for three layouts of a water–water transshipment coal terminal were established. Simulation experiments were performed to analyze the future production performance of these layouts, and recommendations were provided for different goals. The application of the simulation model showed that the proposed method of the comparison and the selection for the design of water–water transshipment coal terminals is feasible. The method is also applicable to solving the problem of the selection of other types of terminals.