Commercial Warehouse Research Articles

Green Buildings for Greening Supply Chains – Selected Organisational and Legal Solutions on the Polish Commercial Warehouse Space Market

Green Buildings for Greening Supply Chains – Selected Organisational and Legal Solutions on the Polish Commercial Warehouse Space Market

Potential of Commercial Warehouse Space in Poland

Potential of Commercial Warehouse Space in Poland

Inner cyclic cooling aeration on stored maize in large commercial warehouses in Northeast China

ABSTRACT Controlling grain temperatures is the main approach employed in large commercial warehouses to maintain quality and prevent infestation by insects and fungi. Large commercial warehouses in northeast China have been utilizing inner cyclic cooling aeration (ICCA), a newly developed method for managing summertime temperatures, haphazardly and without tight standards. We utilized a homemade detector to track the temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations of maize that was held for four years under ICCA treatment. The monitoring occurred every week, specifically from July 1st to September 30th. In addition, we conducted weekly tests to determine the moisture content (MC) and free fatty acids (FFA) of the stored maize samples. Without the use of ICCA, the average temperature of the stored maize above a depth of 3.5 m ranged from 20°C to 28°C, and the relative humidity (RH) in the headspace was typically higher than 75%. However, when ICCA was applied, the average temperature could be maintained at 22°C, and the RH was below 65% for most of the time. In the first year, the MC of the stored maize at a depth of 1.0 m experienced a loss of approximately 0.5%. However, for one year, there was no significant loss in the MC of the maize stored at the same depth. Furthermore, the FFA in the stored maize at a depth of 1 m increased by 1–5 mg KOH/100 g. The use of ICCA effectively controls the temperature and RH in the stored maize, reducing the risk of insect and fungal reproduction.

Structuring African Warehouse Receipt Systems to Succeed

Development economists have preached that functioning warehouse receipt systems (WRSs) will help smallholder African farmers access loans to help reduce poverty and enhance financial inclusion. Unfortunately, many reviews of African country WRSs have concluded that anticipated benefits are not accruing to smallholder farmers. Given the theoretical case and positive experience elsewhere, this paper meticulously reviewed reports that WRSs are not working in the interest of African farmers to identify the challenges. Then, several scenarios in respect of use of WRSs were formulated and analysed for Ghana and Uganda. Scenarios include paying/not paying collateral management fees, grading/not grading maize, using/not using warehouse receipts (WR) as collateral, using community warehouses, etc. Malawi and Zambia are also discussed. The paper concludes that the potential for positive impact of WRSs on the lives of smallholder African farmers exists. However, it is necessary to structure WRSs to suit the situation of smallholder African farmers. The key to profitably implementing WRSs in Africa is not to blindly replicate WRSs as implemented in other jurisdictions. Important African specific context ingredients include focusing on community warehouses rather than commercial warehouses, not focusing on grading of grains and not implementing full-scale collateral management arrangements. Keywords: warehouse receipts, smallholder farmers, Africa, Ghana, collateral management fees, community warehouses

Strategic location for the construction of a graphite trading warehouse in Mexico

The investigation determined the location to build a graphite commercial warehouse (GCW), derived from the fact that the only place of production of the input is the state of Sonora, the above complicates satisfying the internal and external market of consumers due to the times and the distances. The methodology applied to determine the location for the construction of the warehouse was by means of a macro and micro analysis of location, both contemplate the diagnosis of variables through the methods of critical factors and center of gravity. The results allowed obtaining the order of alternatives for the GCW are Querétaro, followed by San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes, and Durango. The conclusion is that the GCW must be built in the location of georeferenced coordinates (20 ° 49´40.32 "N, 100 ° 18´32.38" W) or its equivalent (20.827, -100.308), specifically in the municipality of Marquez for have optimal communication channels and be a strategic point for the distribution of the product.

Exploring environmental technologies for optimizing vehicle management in commercial warehouses

This research article focuses on exploring environmental technologies to optimize vehicle management in commercial warehouses, specifically by studying the nature of incoming streams. The paper investigates key aspects related to supply volume determination, delivery frequency, and timing. The authors conduct a thorough analysis of existing methods for assessing the nature of incoming streams and propose their own approach, utilizing mathematical models. By integrating environmental technologies into vehicle management, this study aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of transportation processes in commercial warehouses.

Crucial parameters determining efficient use of fly ashes from energy sector as raw materials for dedicated advanced applications

This paper describes the physicochemical properties of three types of samples: fly ashes received directly from the coal power plant (FA_PP), fly ashes coming from commercial warehouses (FA_Mix) and the commercial cenospheres (FA_Cen). The main goal of our studies was to identify crucial parameters of fly ashes decisive to use these materials for such advanced applications as synthesis of zeolites or structured catalysts as well as to choose optimal ways of their effective chemical valorization. The chemical composition of the studied samples was determined by XRF, the phase composition - by both XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Textural properties - by using jointly SEM-EDS and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The grain size distribution was determined by laser diffraction analysis. DRIFT spectroscopy was used to examine the functional features of the analyzed samples. Physicochemical properties of the functional materials obtained from ash samples (containing i.a. NaX zeolites) were determined by the XRF, XRD and DRIFT. The obtained results confirmed a decrease of the Si/Al ratio from 1.94 to 1.34, accompanying NaX zeolite synthesis starting from FA_Cen ashes and from 2.27 to 2.13 starting from FA_Mix. XRD measurements performed for the obtained preparations showed intense reflections characteristic of NaX zeolite only in the case of FA_Mix ashes used as a starting material. The differences in synthesis progress were mainly influenced by the content ratio of the glassy to crystalline phases and by such textural properties as: specific surface area and particle size distribution. The reported results clearly confirm the complex nature of the tested materials and their evident potential to be used for synthesis of such functional materials as e.g. zeolites.

Efficacy of Indigenous Crude Plant Extracts against Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. 1763 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a widely distributed and major insect pest of rice that causes considerable losses to both husked and unhusked rice grains. Plant-based pesticides are alternative to synthetic pesticides in managing stored product pests owing to their severe hazardous effects. Thus, locally available plant leaf crude extracts i.e., neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss 1830), turmeric (Curcuma longa L. 1753), and mint (Mentha longifolia L. Huds. 1762) were investigated at 2 % (w/w) concentration against S. oryzae in unhusked and husked rice. Adult mortality was recorded at 24, 48 hours, and seven days after the application whereas, population build-up was recorded at 1-, 2-, and 3-months intervals. Overall and grain weight loss was also recorded at the end of the experiment. In husked and unhusked rice, the highest mortality percentage was observed in turmeric powder (93.30 %) and neem (80.00 %), respectively. In comparison to plant extracts, relatively higher population growth of S. oryzae was recorded in control husked and unhusked rice. At the end of the 3rd month, the highest and lowest population in husked rice grains was recorded in control (70.67 ± 3.18) and turmeric treatments (18.00 ± 2.65), respectively, whereas control and neem treatments exhibited the highest (83.67 ± 3.28) and lowest (39.67 ± 2.33) populations in unhusked rice. The lowest grain weight loss in husked and unhusked rice was recorded in turmeric (9.33 %) and neem (16.67 %), respectively. Thus, turmeric and neem extracts should be investigated on large scale under commercial warehouses for the management of S. oryzae in husked and unhusked rice.

Storing Peanuts in Grain Bags

HighlightsExisting bag loading equipment may be used to load both in-shell and shelled oil stock peanuts.Grain bags can be loaded at 1.2 t/m of in-shell peanuts and 2.3 t/m of shelled oil stock peanuts.Existing extraction equipment requires modification to unload shelled oil stock peanuts due to poor flow characteristics.Grain bags not suitable for storing in-shell peanuts due to significant moisture migration and quality reduction under typical Georgia conditions.Abstract.Edible grade farmers’ stock peanuts and shelled oil stock peanuts were stored in hermetically sealed silo or grain bags to determine their suitability for short-term storage. The objectives of the study were to evaluate equipment for loading and unloading the grain bags, the capacity of the grain bags, and the changes in quality. In May 2015, approximately 90 Mg of farmers’ stock (in-shell) peanuts from the 2014 crop were unloaded from a commercial warehouse, transported to Dawson, Georgia, and loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Similarly, 85 Mg of shelled oil stock peanuts were loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Farmers’ stock bags were unloaded after 30 and 60-d storage. A vacuum extractor and a skid steer loader were used due to wet peanuts in the top of the bag. Both oil stock bags were unloaded after 60-d storage. A skid steer loader was used to unload the oil stock bags because shelled oil stock peanuts did not flow adequately to use the conventional bag extraction equipment. Oxygen content in the farmers’ stock peanuts decreased from ambient levels (21%) to an average of 8.6% after 15-d storage. After 20-d storage, the oxygen content in the oil stock had decreased to 14%. A layer of high moisture peanuts due to moisture migration and subsequent condensation in the top of both of the farmers’ stock bags resulted in the peanuts being unsuitable for human consumption and reduced the value from $342/Mg to approximately $125/Mg for oil stock, a 63% reduction in value. No moisture problems were observed in the oil stock bags when they were unloaded. Based on these studies, sealed grain bags would be unsuitable for temporarily storing farmers’ stock peanuts under typical Georgia conditions. Sealed grain bags could possibly be used to store oil stock peanuts for 60 d, but suitable unloading equipment would have to be found or developed. Keywords: Grain bag, Groundnut, Handling, Hermetic, Peanut, Silo bag, Storage.

Performance evaluation of radiative cooling for commercial-scale warehouse

Many radiative cooling materials have been developed recently with promising potential for reducing cooling loads of buildings. However, there lack real-world applications. In this work, we applied a scalable-manufactured radiative cooling metamaterial film to the roof of a commercial warehouse (152.0 m × 54.0 m × 11.5 m [length × width × height]) and measured the indoor air temperature, roof temperatures, and the building cooling energy consumption. The radiative cooling film decreases the roof temperature significantly and further decreases thermal stratification and temperature fluctuation in the warehouse subsequently. The air conditioning energy consumption is then reduced significantly. A building simulation model for the warehouse using EnergyPlus was developed and validated with the experimental measurements and then used to evaluate the energy performance of the radiative cooling roof in four different locations under hot climates. Compared with the baseline of conventional steel roof, annual cooling energy saving can reach 65.2% when the radiative cooling metamaterial is applied on the roof.

Spatial and Temporal Variation in Stored-Product Insect Pest Distributions and Implications for Pest Management in Processing and Storage Facilities

Abstract Insect infestations can result in a damaged or destroyed product, costing producers and retailers millions of dollars annually. Postharvest insects move through space searching for mates, food, and shelter. Movement of product, sanitation activities, and insecticide applications also drive their spatial distribution patterns. Determining spatial distributions and population density of insects provides important information to develop targeted and cost-effective management programs. Monitoring data collected using traps to capture insect pests have provided information under a range of conditions: in bins of grain, grain elevator silos and their immediate environment, milling and processing facilities, commercial warehouses, and retail stores. In evaluating available data, we identified key influences that may be leveraged to increase the impacts of future monitoring schemes. Species-specific locations of infestation were common among stored product insect pests and seasonal variation was highly influential in population growth patterns. Competition among different species also drives spatial and temporal distributions and overlap among species is rare. Vertical distribution of insects was common in bins, elevators, and silos. More insects were often found in the receiving and storage areas of mills and processing facilities and insects often migrated into facilities from surrounding natural reservoirs. Previously stored grain and spillage can also harbor insect populations, which also reinforces the need for sanitation in and around stored grain products. Continued monitoring research will provide information to develop predictive tools which will use behavioral patterns to further our understanding of these insect pests within these unique facilities and circumstances.

Automated Shelf Traversal and Object Retrieval System for Industrial and Commercial Warehouse Management

This paper demonstrates the design of a robotic system that can traverse along racks and shelves, that allows the access of objects in a more convenient manner. The basic structure consists of a manipulator that can perform pick and place operations whilst traversing along the shelf. This system is designed to move along two axes. The position of the bot is controlled using a webpage or a Wi-fi application on the user’s mobile phone. In a nut-shell, this robotic system helps to create a more organized and user-friendly environment in both commercial and industrialspaces.

Smart energy harvesting performance of photovoltaic roof assemblies in Canadian climate

ABSTRACT In Canada, the solar electricity sector is growing rapidly. Much of this success is based on the growth of the Ontario solar market where more than 99% of Canada’s solar electricity is generated. Ontario has developed a globally recognized solar market sector. The vast surface area of existing residential roofs across Canada represents an untapped resource for capitalizing on passive and active management of impinging solar insolation. The aim of the current research study is to evaluate the new energy harvesting technologies such as a thin-film PV integrated roof system that could serve as a conventional roofing for weather protection while generating clean solar electricity, and the new generation micro inverters that have the potential to outperform string inverters under shading and snow-cover conditions. This paper has two parts that will discuss about two smart energy harvesting technologies and their performance on residential applications in Canadian climate. Part 1 of the paper focusses on field evaluation of Roof Integrated Photovoltaic (RIPV) and Part 2 talks about the energy yield performance of integrated solar tiles and new generation micro inverters. The RIPV field trial took place at the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology (CCHT) Info Centre in Ottawa, Canada. This is a novel approach adapted from a roofing system that would typically be found on low-sloped roofs such as commercial supermarkets, industrial warehouses and school buildings. Over the eight month study period, surmounting the effects of snow cover and shadows, the RIPV system generated over 1 MWh of electricity, and had a measured system efficiency of 5.3%. The study on the new generation micro inverters for residential applications addressed the shading effects on the intermittent nature of solar energy generation. Simulating the shading conditions that are experienced by typical residential rooftop, the micro inverters were found to increase production by 1–68% relative to the conventional string inverters. The research outcome of this study has demonstrated that both these energy harvesting technologies have important incremental benefits in increasing the renewables contribution to power generation in residential homes in Canadian climatic conditions.

Abstract 3226: Facilitating personalized medicine with cloud-based storage and analytics

Abstract The vast wealth of medical data collected over the last decade holds great promise for accelerating novel research, discovery, and clinical translation. Specifically, the rapid expansion of genomic testing provides new opportunities for the clinical management of cancer patients, influencing diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment planning. Moffitt Cancer Center's Personalized Medicine Clinical Service integrates next-generation sequencing test results into patient care, using the data to guide individualized treatment plans. To maximize the efficiency and efficacy of this service, creative solutions for data harmonization, storage, and management are required. We implemented a commercial molecular data warehouse (MDW), directly linked to our existing clinical data warehouse, to store and manage molecular data ranging from genotypic alterations to annotations from public resources (HUGO, COSMIC, Ensembl) and clinically actionable targets (4,256 records currently loaded). A centralized, cloud-based data and analytics platform is also being implemented at Moffitt that will integrate a broad range of multi-modal data. In the cloud environment, the data from the MDW will be linked to typically siloed data streams from the electronic health record, cancer registry management system, biospecimen management system, billing and scheduling systems, patient-reported information and outcomes, and patient-generated health data, creating a unique and customized Personalized Medicine Curated Data Mart (CDM). In addition to describing the features of the MDW and the challenges faced during its implementation, we will provide an overview of the extensive data cleaning and curation required to facilitate such a CDM. This includes the extraction of disease characteristics from unstructured clinical text via natural language processing, creation of new derived data fields, approaches to extracting and managing complex treatment data, and the inclusion of detailed, manually-abstracted recurrence and outcomes data for historical patients from existing institutional datasets such as the Clinical Genomics Action Committee (CGAC) database. Finally, we will present prototypes of analytics dashboards that will interface directly with our CDM, facilitating intuitive data exploration for all members of our personalized medicine teams. Citation Format: Rachel Howard, Kevin Hicks, Jamie Teer, Phillip Reisman, Mandy O'Leary, Steven Eschrich, Ross Mitchell, Howard McLeod, Dana Rollison. Facilitating personalized medicine with cloud-based storage and analytics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3226.

Exploring Malaysia Military Warehouse Practice

The Department of Defense has a very large and complex distribution for its supply system. To store all their goods, they need to set up a very good and organized warehouse for every army unit from different places. The establishment of a Military warehouse is solely to support the military need which contradicting the commercial warehouse which profit is the motivation to maintain competitiveness. As such, there is limited innovation in this operation that leads to inaccurate data recording, loss items, and real-time management. This study aims to investigate the process of military warehouse management and identify the gap for the future improvement of military warehouse management. A framework has been developed to illustrate the model of efficient military warehouse management. A qualitative study was adopted using a focus-group interview to investigate the subject research. A focus group interview is appropriate due to the nature of the research that expletory by nature. The study revealed that budget constraint has led to the lack of innovation that affects the efficiency of military warehouse management. A framework of military warehouse management was developed to provide an insight on internal and external forces that contribute to the new style of management in managing the military warehouses.

Potential regional air quality impacts of cannabis cultivation facilities in Denver, Colorado

Abstract. The legal commercialization of cannabis for recreational and medical use has effectively created a new and almost unregulated cultivation industry. In 2018, within the Denver County limits, there were more than 600 registered cannabis cultivation facilities (CCFs) for recreational and medical use, mostly housed in commercial warehouses. Measurements have found concentrations of highly reactive terpenes from the headspace above cannabis plants that, when released in the atmosphere, could impact air quality. Here we developed the first emission inventory for cannabis emissions of terpenes. The range of possible emissions from these facilities was 66–657 t yr−1 of terpenes across the state of Colorado; half of the emissions are from Denver County. Our estimates are based on the best available information and highlight the critical data gaps needed to reduce uncertainties. These realizations of inventories were then used with a regulatory air quality model, developed by the state of Colorado to predict regional ozone impacts. It was found that most of the predicted changes occur in the vicinity of CCFs concentrated in Denver. An increase of 362 t yr−1 in terpene emissions in Denver County resulted in increases of up to 0.34 ppb in hourly ozone concentrations during the morning and 0.67 ppb at night. Model predictions indicate that in Denver County every 1000 t yr−1 increase in terpenes results in 1 ppb increase in daytime hourly ozone concentrations and a maximum daily 8 h average (MDA8) increase of 0.3 ppb. The emission inventories developed here are highly uncertain, but highlight the need for more detailed cannabis and CCF data to fully understand the possible impacts of this new industry on regional air quality.

Entre os trilhos, a estação e as memórias: o papel da estrada de ferro para o desenvolvimento da cidade de Cedro-CE

As ferrovias tiveram uma grande importância no processo de expansão do capitalismo. No território cearense não ocorreu de forma diferente, as ferrovias tinham como atribuições adentrar ao interior do estado e estabelecer vários entrepostos comerciais, assegurando um fluxo constante de mercadorias, produtos agrícolas, pessoas e informação ao longo dos trilhos, interligando os mercados consumidores do litoral cearense com as principais praças comerciais e zonas produtoras do interior do Ceará e estados vizinhos. Para melhor compreender a influência da Rede Viação Cearense para a organização espacial das pequenas cidades às margens dos seus trilhos, resolvemos realizar um estudo histórico sobre a influência da ferrovia para a organização socioespacial da cidade de Cedro-CE. Nessa perspectiva analisaremos a atuação da ferrovia nos processos históricos, socioespaciais e econômicos que levaram a formação e desenvolvimento do município, e como isso ficou registrado no atual espaço urbano, influenciando o cotidiano da cidade.

Raman spectroscopy: A new strategy for monitoring the quality of green coffee beans during storage

Raman spectroscopy was used to identify chemical changes associated sensory quality of coffee beans, for natural and pulped natural coffee stored in different packaging. The green beans of natural coffee and pulped natural coffee were stored in three types of packaging materials in a commercial warehouse. Sensory analyses were performed, and Raman spectra were collected after 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 storage months. Raman spectra were used to construct multivariate control charts. The charts, which were constructed using principal component analysis, can only be used to identify chemical changes in the green beans from pulped natural coffee stored in different packaging materials. Raman spectroscopy is more sensitive than sensory analysis for detecting chemical changes in stored pulped natural coffee. The measured changes ultimately affect the quality of the beverage because samples stored for six months in paper packaging were determined to no longer meet the quality control requirements.

PRODUCTIVE RESPONSES FROM BROILER CHICKENS RAISED IN DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS - PART I: FUZZY MODELING

ABSTRACT Broiler chickens are classified as homoeothermic animals and require a production environment within well-defined thermal comfort intervals. Therefore, the development of algorithms (mathematical models) to control the environment that can be embedded in microcontrollers becomes necessary. Hence, this work aimed to develop a fuzzy model for predicting the productive performance of broiler chickens as a function of the thermal environment during the various breeding phases. The Mamdani inference and defuzzification methods were used, by means of the gravity center, to develop the fuzzy model. Two hundred and forty-three rules with weighting factors of 1.0 each were elaborated. Three commercial warehouses (conventional system, wind tunnel with negative pressure and dark house) were evaluated for testing of the model. We recorded the thermal environment (dry bulb temperature - tdb and relative humidity - RH) and productivity data (feed intake - FI, weight gain - WG, feed conversion - FC and productive efficiency index - PEI) over six lots in each aviary. The resulting fuzzy model was capable of forecasting FI, WG, FC, and PEI, with standard deviations and mean percentage errors of 4.16 g and 5.05%, 146.53 g and 8.04%, 0.06 g g−1 and 4.96%, and 24.51 g and 12.29%, respectively.

Activity of two deltamethrin formulations on different surfaces against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.): Poster

Several methods are used to control stored product insects. The spraying of empty structures with insecticides, prior to the introduction of produce, is an important method for preventing development of insects. It is known that insecticide activity varies according to the various sprayed surfaces. In this study, the activity of deltamethrin was examined on concrete and plastic surfaces. Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid, active by contact against a variety of insects; applied in Israel in two formulations: KESHET 2.5% EC and BUNGY 1.5% SC (ADAMA Makhteshim Ltd.). Adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), served as target insect in all experiments. The research was carried out in plastic Petri dishes and in Petri dishes with layer of concrete. Deltamethrin (KESHET 2.5% EC) was applied in water solution in doses of 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 g/m². Without concrete, complete mortality of S. oryzae was obtained at a concentration of 0.02 g/m², whereas in concrete plates, no mortality was found in all 3 concentrations. In contrast, deltamethrin (BUNGY 1.5% SC) in doses of 0.1 g/m², caused 100% mortality with and without concrete layer. The same results were found in the commercial warehouse. No difference in efficiency was found between the spraying methods: airbrush (Sparmax DH-125) or dripping by pipette. The results show that the efficacy of warehouse spraying by deltamethrin depends on its formulation.