GOALI: Inventory Routing in the Chemical Industry

GOALI：化工行业的库存路由

• 批准号: 1264096
• 负责人: Christos Maravelias
• 金额: $ 33.21万
• 依托单位: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-04-15 至 2018-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1264096&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: GOALI; Inventory; Routing; Chemical; Industry

ABSTRACTPI: Christos T. Maravelias(1), Jose Pinto(2), Larry Megan(2)Institutions: (1) University of Wisconsin-Madison, (2) Praxair Inc.Proposal Number: 1264096Title: GOALI: Inventory Routing in the Chemical IndustryTo improve the efficiency of their supply chains, vendors in a wide range of manufacturing sectors switch to vendor-managed inventory (VMI) practices, where the vendor chooses the timing and volume of its deliveries while ensuring that his customers will not run out of product. If implemented effectively, VMI policies can lead to substantial improvements in the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain, because the vendors make more efficient use of their resources. Furthermore, since distribution costs often represent 30-50% of total operating costs, the implementation of VMI policies can lead to substantial savings. However, executing a VMI policy effectively, especially when the distribution network relies on trucks and trailers, is not a trivial task. It requires the integration of inventory control and distribution routing, two problems that have traditionally been dealt with separately. The goal of this project is to develop optimization-based models and solution methods for this integrated problem, the so-called inventory routing (IR) problem.Intellectual Merit The intellectual merit of this project lies in the development, analysis, assessment, and implementation of an optimization-based framework for the modeling and solution of broad, ubiquitous classes of inventory routing problems. In developing this framework, The PIs will focus on addressing the following three challenges:1. Formulation of new mixed-integer programming (MIP) models that account for all special characteristics and constraints in IR problems.2. Development of effective solution methods for large scale MIP models for IR problems.3. Assessment of the proposed methods using real-world data, and implementation at Praxair to assess logistics efficiency, reliability, and safety.Transformative PotentialIf successful, this project will result in the first general optimization-based approach to inventory routing problems arising in chemical manufacturing supply chains. Specifically, it will be the first approach to account for all driving regulations as well as all customer restrictions. If implemented, it has the potential to lead to significant improvements in the distribution networks of a wide variety of chemical companies.Broader Impacts First, the research could improve the efficiency of the industrial gas supply chain, as well as supply chains in other manufacturing sectors, thus increasing the competitiveness of American companies. Second, it has the potential to lead to reductions in (i) the overall energy usage in energy intensive sectors such as industrial gases and (ii) in greenhouse gas emissions. Third, the results of this research will be used to develop educational material, as well as demonstrations for outreach activities. Finally, through the REU in Chemistry and Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, The PI will hire undergraduate students to work on the project.

摘要PI：Christos T. Maravelias(1)、Jose Pinto(2)、Larry Megan(2) 机构：(1) 威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校、(2) Praxair Inc. 提案编号：1264096 标题：GOALI：化学品库存路由行业为了提高供应链的效率，许多制造行业的供应商转向供应商管理库存（VMI）实践，其中供应商选择交付的时间和数量，同时确保其客户不会缺货。 如果有效实施，VMI 政策可以显着提高供应链的效率和可靠性，因为供应商可以更有效地利用其资源。此外，由于分销成本通常占总运营成本的 30-50%，因此实施 VMI 政策可以节省大量成本。然而，有效执行 VMI 政策并非易事，尤其是当分销网络依赖卡车和拖车时。它需要集成库存控制和配送路线，这两个问题传统上是分开处理的。该项目的目标是为这个综合问题（即所谓的库存路径（IR）问题）开发基于优化的模型和解决方法。 智力优点 该项目的智力优点在于开发、分析、评估和实施一个基于优化的框架，用于建模和解决广泛的、普遍存在的库存路径问题。在制定该框架时，PI 将重点解决以下三个挑战：1．制定新的混合整数规划（MIP）模型，考虑IR问题中的所有特殊特征和约束。2．开发针对IR问题的大规模MIP模型的有效解决方法。3．使用真实世界数据评估所提出的方法，并在普莱克斯实施以评估物流效率、可靠性和安全性。变革潜力如果成功，该项目将产生第一个基于通用优化的方法来解决化学制造供应中出现的库存路径问题链。具体来说，这将是第一种考虑所有驾驶法规以及所有客户限制的方法。如果实施，它有可能显着改善各种化工公司的分销网络。 更广泛的影响首先，该研究可以提高工业气体供应链以及其他制造业供应链的效率，从而提高美国企业的竞争力。其次，它有可能减少（i）工业气体等能源密集型行业的总体能源使用量和（ii）温室气体排放。第三，这项研究的结果将用于开发教育材料以及外展活动的演示。最后，PI 将通过威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校化学、化学和生物工程 REU 聘请本科生参与该项目。