0_ CUPRINS - IPA SA

Integrated transportation and raw material handling system based on RFID
technology and wireless data transmission. A case study for thermo power
industry
Authors:
eng. Marian Lăcraru, eng. Livia Ştefan, eng. Liviu Nicolae Jalbă, eng. Iolanda Costache, eng.
Ovidiu Anicăi – ITC Bucuresti
SC ITC SA Bucharest, Calea Floreasca 167
Tel: 021 2031.832, Email: marian.lacraru@itc.ro
eng. dr. Eugen Pop – IPA Bucuresti
SC ITC SA Bucharest, Calea Floreasca 167b
Email: epop@itc.ro
Abstract:
The system aims to answer specific logistics requirements in the field of solid fuel supply for the
power system industry, that is to reduce the handling of paper documents by managing the data
flows regarding the supply activities through the implementation of new technologies and
integration of all actors participating in this activity (suppliers, transporters, beneficiaries).
Specific system targets are achieved: a) implementation of an AVI system (automatic identification
for both for road and rail vehicles which performs the supply of coal, a system which based on
RFID technology; b) implementation of an system for automatic generation of weighing receipts,
through association the identification information with weighing informations; c) implementation
of wireless communications solutions between the weighing points and the administrative buildings,
in order to collect the data at a central database with information about vehicles, coal suppliers,
coal weighing, or to replicate system information to all weighing points. This allows the integration
of data into an economic and financial management system; d) implementation of information and
reporting applications for all the entities involved in the supply of solid fuels.
Keywords: RFID, AVI, automatic weighing system
1.System description
Logistic systems are in general large and geographically dispersed, their complexity is caused by many
factors, including interactions between decision makers, drivers, workers and clients, vehicles, transport and
storage processes, informatic and communication systems. Many aspects of the logistics processes are
probabilistic, dynamic, nonlinear, which causes the logistics systems to be most sensitive to small
perturbations. The management and control of modern logistics systems is based on distributed multi-layered
and hierarchically organized levels. Policy makers, distributors, drivers, customers have different interests
and goals, different educational levels and different work experiences. Each perceive the situation in
different ways and make decisions based on subjective perceptions.
An activity flow for the case study in the thermo power industry is below described:
• the coal is loaded in the transport provider vehicles, which can be trucks or railroad cars;
• at the beneficiary the vehicles are weighed both before and after the coal is unloaded from the vehicles;
• the information is either recorded in a FoxPro database or in a electronic file at the weighing points
toghether with vehicle identification data;
• a confirmation of the delivery for goods and services settlement is produced and printed on a paper
document/receipt.
The current status on the settlement of goods and services is requested by a confirmation of the amount of
the delivered coal quantities,which occurs as follows:
a) at the unloading location, for the transportation operator is issued and handed to the driver a receipt for
each unloaded coal quantity;
b) for the providers and for the beneficiary (the thermo power station) is issued regularly, on paper, a receipt
of the quantities delivered/received.
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