Publication

Abstract : This research addresses the optimization of Total Logistics Cost (TLC) and time incurred in logistics activity of the transportation of a liquid Hazardous Chemical (HAZCHEM) through road. The logistics of HAZCHEM is receiving considerable attention because of the increase in demand for various industries and the means of transport is also an important factor. In this paper, the total logistics activity for an industrial system is taken by considering the unloading of the chemical from the ship to the storage tank and the transportation from the storage tank to two different manufacturing plants through roadways. The problems faced are low rate of transportation of raw material and high cost of storage and transportation which affects the production rate and hence profit. The decision variables examined are the number and location of manufacturing plants in the logistics system, the flow of materials from storage to manufacturing plants, the quantity to be transported from storage terminal to plants, loading and unloading of raw materials, storage of raw materials, scheduling of trucks, transportation costs and maximizing fill rate. We are proposing a multi objective optimization model, considering all the constraints. The developed model is a MILP function. The model is solved using Lindo which uses simplex algorithm and Solver in Excel using Evolutionary GA to compare the optimality. The result indicates that the developed model produces considerable reduction in the total system wide logistics cost. We are considering the case of a chemical manufacturing plant which uses liquid HAZCHEM as a basic raw material. © Research India Publications.