Utilization Rate Of Facilities Research Articles

Analysis of the Eddy current of water heating device to convert wind energy directly into heat: Case study maldo island, South Korea

The Eddy Current of Water Heating (ECWH) system introduces a pioneering approach for converting wind energy into heat, marking a significant step in renewable energy technology. The current study focuses on refining the ECWH system by evaluating eight distinct heat generator models. Each model is selected based on its magnet configurations and pole numbers to maximize power efficiency at rotational speeds ranging from 100 to 500 rpm. This selection strategy is designed to provide a deep understanding of not only system efficiency across a spectrum of technical specifications but also the practical limitations of experimental research considerations. Energy efficiency is thoroughly analyzed for four models over a power input range of 120 to 2193 W. Wind speed data collected over a year from Maldo Island, west coast of South Korea, simulates the Weibull distribution of wind speeds and estimates total power production by employing the QBlade software. This study aims to explore the practicality of converting wind's kinetic energy directly into thermal energy through the ECWH system. Our findings indicate that the ECWH system outperforms conventional permanent magnet alternators, particularly in its ability to generate more power at lower angular velocities and wind speeds—a crucial feature for locales like Maldo Island, where typical wind speeds range from 3 to 6 m/s, considered low to moderate. With an energy efficiency exceeding 90%, generating an annual power output of 2266.3 kWh, and achieving a facility utilization rate of 10.34%, the results underscore the potential of the ECWH system as an efficient and sustainable solution for heating in areas with similar wind conditions.

The optimization of an EV decommissioned battery recycling network: A third-party approach

In this paper, we solve the urgent problem to construct a recycling network of decommissioned batteries of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and clarify the recycling entities that will be responsible for its reverse logistics (RL) process. We consider the third-party recycling entities to develop a recycling network and conduct a case-study of Xi'an, a key industry of EVs in China to provide a reference for the government and enterprises to develop recycling plans. We scientifically optimize our recycling network, which will have a significant impact on the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) in Xi'an in the future. Specifically, we consider the costs of transportation, construction, operation, recycling, packaging, and emission, as well as the profits achieved through sales revenue and subsidy offerings. We collect the actual data of potential facility locations in Xi'an, predict the quantity of decommissioned batteries in the future, and develop a fuzzy-based model to solve the optimal results of battery traveling path and distribution in the recycling process network. Our results show that with the rapid growth of the number of decommissioned batteries, third-party revenues will reach about 53.08 billion by 2035. When the facilities split the recycling process load appropriately, the network has increase in revenue while the utilization rate of facilities will decrease. We expect that splitting will be a major trend in the future development of recycling network in Xi'an. Finally, a sensitivity analysis finds that with the environmentally conscious and safe operation of recycling, the negative impact on the third-party enterprises' revenue will be small. Our proposed methodology can serve as a critical framework for other cities and governments to plan their recycling networks and formulate regulations, reflecting on the realistic projection of the scale of decommissioned batteries of EVs and the potential siting and sizing of the recycling facilities.

Evaluation of the Performance Improvement of the Muara Angke Nusantara Fishing Port (NFP), Jakarta

Fishing ports play an important role in facilitating fishing business activities and supporting fish resource management. The completion of facilities at fishing ports will aid in the continuation of fishing business operations. As a Fishing Port, the Muara Angke Nusantara Fishing Port must provide good services and respond to the needs of the Muara Angke fishery community, particularly for supporting industry in Jakarta. Therefore, the facilities of Muara Angke Nusantara Fishing Port must be evaluated (NFP). The study aimed to analyze the facilities at Muara Angke Nusantara Fishing Port to improve their performance by analyzing the conditions of the fishing port facilities, the level of utilization of the facilities, and the strategy for developing fishing ports with SWOT analysis so that they can contribute to supporting activities and the fishing industry in Jakarta. This research was carried out at the Muara Angke Fishing Port in July 2022. The study used a descriptive method. A purposive sampling method was used to collect data from 50 fishery business actors at the Muara Angke Fishing Port. The facility score was 2.5, indicating that the facilities at the Nusantara Fishery Port were good, but the level of utilization was low due to the length of the pier, the area of the pond, the depth of the harbor pool, and the utilization rate of the fish auction. The SWOT analysis indicated that the X; Y results were 0.12 and 0.54 which were located in quadrant I or the S-O (Strength-Opportunity) strategy. As a result, to increase the facility utilization rate score, the Muara Angke Archipelago Fishery Port (PPN) must improve services and attract investors.

Development Status and Future Strategies of Networked Distribution System

In response to the escalation of environmental issues including global warming due to reckless development, the energy industry has been partaking in measures to improve sustainability of the environment. As an effort to target decarbonization, thermal power generation using fossil fuels is being minimized whilst the generation of renewable energy is gradually being increased. In addition, research on the structure of power distribution systems is steadily on the rise to improve efficiency of energy supply and system reliability. Amongst existing distribution systems, high expectations have been focused on the networked distribution system (NDS) due to multiplex advantages the system possesses. The NDS, a power system of multiple interconnected distribution lines which allow uninterrupted supply of both power and communication, holds the potential of increasing renewable energy capacity, reducing construction of new feeders, expanding electric transport infrastructure capacity, and improving facility utilization rate. In this paper, technologies for the construction of NDS are introduced and strategies to increase future application of the NDS are discussed. Through this, both the validity of the NDS and the direction of the power industry is to be presented.

The Development Strategy of Pondokdadap Coastal Fishing Port, Malang Regency, East Java

A successful capture fisheries business requires a fishing port with excellent facilities. This study, therefore, aims to analyze the current facility utilization rate of Pondokdadap, The Coastal Fishing Port (CFP) and formulate a suitable development strategy. The study was conducted using a descriptive survey from January to April 2021. Twenty-four respondents comprising 11 CFP (Coastal Fishing Port) and FAP (Fish Auction Place) employees and 13 fishers and fish traders were obtained using the inclusion criteria. Primary data was collected through structured interviews based on a questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained through literature reviews on books, articles, and journals related to research. Subsequently, an analysis of facility utilization at CFP Pondokdadap was carried out, while a SWOT analysis was performed on the proposed alternative development strategy. Based on the results, the existing physical condition of the facilities is satisfactory, with varying utilization rates. However, the Government and the CFP Pondokdadap management are encouraged to implement other development strategies, for instance, strengthening fisheries competitiveness by maintaining fish quality, optimizing Sempu Island as a natural breakwater and marine aquaculture fisheries, developing a fishery information system, building supporting facilities at CFP Pondokdadap, as well as improving the quality of human resources, apparatus, and fishing communities at CFP Pondokdadap.

A Co-Scheduling Problem of Ship Lift and Ship Lock at the Three Gorges Dam

Due to the unprecedentedly increasing demands of waterway transportation on the Yangtze River during the latest years, traffic congestion at the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) has becoming a serious problem. In busiest seasons, a vessel may need to wait up to 3 days for passing the TGD via the ship lift or the five-stage ship lock. In order to improve the navigation efficiency and the utilization of passing facilities, a co-scheduling problem of ship lift and ship lock at the TGD is modeled in this paper. Besides, the improvement on effectiveness, safety and fairness of the navigation scheduling by introducing the ship lift is taken into account. The mathematical model proposed is, by nature, a two-stage problem, where the first-stage variables determine the assignments of passing facilities and the second-stage variables schedule the vessels. In order to solve the proposed mathematical model, a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm is used at the first stage to determine the allocation of vessels to different passing facilities and to different lockage through the maximization of facility utilization rate. The second-stage problem is then solved by CPLEX. The proposed mathematical model and algorithm are validated through a set of numerical experiments and a case study. The results show both the navigation efficiency and the utilization of passing facilities can be improved by using the proposed methods.

Logistics analysis and simulation in the intelligent manufacturing workshop

This paper aims to study the internal logistics system of manufacturing enterprises, and use the logistics analysis and modeling methods to plan and simulate the layout of the workshop. Firstly, the SLP (Systematic Layout Planning) method is planned for a specific enterprise. Secondly, the Flexsim software and the ExSpect software are used to simulate the logistics of the planned workshop. The Flexsim software is used to know the facility utilization rate, and the cause of the blockage is analyzed. The improvement measure of adding one casting machine and static furnace is proposed to solve the problem of equipment blockage. The modeling and analysis of the workshop is carried out in combination with Petri net, and the total working hours of production and processing are obtained through ExSpect software simulation.

Shortage of Commercial Vehicle Parking and Truck-Related Interstate Ramp Crashes in Tennessee

Interstate ramps are the location of more crashes per mile than any other segment of interstate, yet commercial vehicle (CMV) drivers are often left with the last option of parking along these segments for off-duty rest to meet federal hours-of-service regulations. Past literature has evaluated the shortage of CMV parking facilities and examined characteristics of freeway ramp crashes. However, relatively little research has studied the influence of CMV parking deficiency on crash frequency involving parked CMVs along the ramps. This study examined 179 police-reported illegally parked CMV-involved crashes on 1,221 rural and urban ramps in the State of Tennessee, United States. Three Bayesian binary logit models using varying prior distributions were used to analyze the odds of a CMV crash occurring based on CMV parking shortage and ramp attributes. The results illustrated the higher frequency crashes (N = 4 or 5) occurred on entrance ramps of shorter length and often were adjacent to public parking facilities. Approximately one-third of the collisions on interchange ramps had a parking facility utilization rate of 90% or higher, and 23 ramps (15.8%) were adjacent to parking facilities that were at or over-capacity. Several ramp characteristics were significantly associated with an increase in the occurrence of an illegally parked CMV-involved crash and include the presence of a parking facility on exit, ramps with illegally parked CMVs, diamond-shaped ramp configurations, larger ramp shoulder widths, and exit ramps. This study illustrates the impact of the CMV parking shortage on the safety of ramps and highlights the need for more parking facilities.

Pest diagnosis system based on deep learning using collective intelligence

With the recent development of agriculture, the growing area and utilization rate of facilities are increasing, but it is necessary to control and prevent pests, and if the disease is detected at an early stage, appropriate treatment is possible. To this end, researches on control systems using artificial intelligence are being expanded recently, therefore we propose a pest diagnosis system using data acquisition and deep learning through collective intelligence. This study modeled the diagnostic system based on deep learning using the collective intelligence that the user group participates in the prediction of pests arising from the plant cultivation and the data registered by experts in the field. Diagnostic data were collected information on pest diagnosis registered on the Internet and used; the collected data were constructed as a data set that is easy to analyze, through preprocessing, types of crops were classified, pests data were studied through TensorFlow. Most of the researches for the control and prevention of pests are based on web-based expert system. In this paper, we collect data through the collective intelligence and the general public. Especially, when a user uses input question and answers data without a formalized format, it gives wrong prediction; therefore, the preprocessing process was performed for data analysis because it could adversely affect the reliability of the system. After the data collection and preprocessing process is completed, a prediction model is created using TensorFlow, an artificial intelligence open source framework, using the generated data set. The user was allowed to input arbitrary data values while testing the data one to five times based on the data value and the effective value of the prediction model was confirmed according to the change of the value. Through the research, it is proved that diagnosis of pests is possible by using collective intelligence. In future research, research on the construction of a system that enables users to diagnose pests more easily should be continued using not only collective intelligence but also image and video.

Sequential Construction Planning of Electric Taxi Charging Station Considering the Development of Charging Demand

The charging infrastructure, especially the planning and construction of fast charging stations, is extremely important in the process of electric vehicle (EV) marketization. This paper proposes a method which selects the constructing plan of charging stations with the lowest social costs from the candidate sets of constructing plans. First of all, the optimization model of siting and sizing of charging stations is created and the optimal number and location of the charging station (CS) in the unplanned areas and the optimal charging facility configuration can be obtained by solving the model. After that, the sequential construction strategy is proposed considered two development trends of the charging demand. According to the case results, the sequential construction strategy of charging stations can effectively reduce the growth rate of user's waiting time cost and total social cost and promote the charging facility utilization rate, which helps to avoid the loss of funds and waste of resources.

Giving cell phones to pregnant women and improving services may increase primary health facility utilization: a case–control study of a Nigerian project

BackgroundWorldwide, about 287 000 women die each year from mostly preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. A disproportionately high number of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The Abiye (‘Safe Motherhood’) project in the Ifedore Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo-State of Nigeria aimed at improving facility utilization and maternal health through the use of cell phones and generally improved health care services for pregnant women, including Health Rangers, renovated Health Centres, and improved means of transportation.MethodsA one-year sample of retrospective data was collected from hospital records and patients’ case files from Ifedore (the project area) and Idanre (control area) and was analyzed to determine healthcare facility utilization rates in each location. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to generate supplemental data.ResultsThe total facility utilization rate of pregnant women was significantly higher in Ifedore than in Idanre. The facility utilization rate of the primary health care centres was significantly higher in Ifedore than in Idanre. The number of recorded cases of the five major causes of maternal death in the two LGAs was not significantly different, possibly because the project was new.ConclusionsGiving cell phones to pregnant women and generally improving services could increase their utilization of the primary healthcare system.

Interactive fuzzy goal programming for a multi-objective closed-loop logistics network

Over the last decade, there has been increased attention to closed-loop logistics networks. Environmental legislation requires companies to be more responsible by collecting used products from customers. Companies can also benefit from savings that are related to recovering and recycling used products. Unlike previous studies, which only consider single products or a single period of time in multi-objective problems, this paper considers a multi-product multi-period closed-loop logistics network with different types of facilities. A multi-objective mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulation is developed to minimize the total cost, the delivery time of new products, and the collection time of used products. Thus, this model better approximates real-life applications of closed-loop logistics problems. Interactive fuzzy goal programming (IFGP) is applied to solve the model for handling multiple objective problems with conflicting objectives and to address the imprecise nature of decision-makers’ aspiration levels for goals. The results from computational experiments performed here show that by changing the upper or lower bound of each objective function, one can obtain a better final solution of the problem and also can provide more options for decision makers to choose from based on their situation. Finally, the utilization rate of facilities is shown to be an important indicator when designing a logistics network.

Solving the economic lot scheduling problem with multiple facilities in parallel using the time-varying lot sizes approach

The conventional Economic Lot Scheduling Problem (ELSP) is concerned with the lot sizing and scheduling of several products so as to minimize the average totalcosts on a single facility. This study is interested in an extension of the ELSP, namely, the ELSP with multiple identical facilities in parallel (which is also called the multi-facility ELSP). In order to solve this problem efficiently, we propose two solution approaches in a two-phase scheme in this study. In the first phase, we use an existing heuristic and a genetic algorithm to search for better product assignments that determine which product should be produced on which facility. Whenan assignment is secured, we employ a Time-Varying Lot Sizes (TVLS) heuristic to obtain a feasible production sequence (or schedule) for each facility inthe second phase. Our numerical experiments show that our approaches outperform an existing heuristic in the literature when the problem size is large and the facility utilization rate is high. On the other hand, we have an interesting observation that was never reported in the literature, namely, the TVLS approach may obtain worse solutions than a well-known upper bound in the literature for some cases.