A simulation toolset for modeling grain storage facilities

A simulation toolset for modeling grain storage facilities that accounts for dynamic and stochastic behaviors was developed using the simulation language Extend™. This toolset, a library called “Grain Facility” has a set of blocks that allows for the simulation of (a) receiving and dispatching activities, (b) grain processing unit operations, (c) operational decisions, and (d) electrical and heat energy uses. To demonstrate the simulation toolset application, a grain storage facility was modeled for an operational year in a Monte Carlo experiment, with five replications to construct 99-precent confidence intervals. Results of the simulations show that during the year 11,934, 46,423, and 4449 metric tons of corn, soybean, and wheat, respectively, were cleaned and dried. The maximum amount of product stored occurred in April. Firewood consumed in the drying operation totaled 1773 metric tons, with 63.6, 30.2, and 40.1 kg consumed to dry each metric ton of corn, soybeans, and wheat, respectively. The annual electrical energy consumption was 195.1 MWh, with 38.7% used for drying.

► Whole grain storage facility system can be modeling by using the simulation toolset “Grain Facility”. ► User obtains information about the dynamics of the system during the simulation. ► Not only the final scenario but also hourly, daily or monthly scenarios are available to analyses.