Computer simulation model for wheat flour milling systems

摘要

The need for a computer simulation model that would allow the management of a flour milling enterprise to determine possible results and impacts on the operation under different quality characteristics of the wheat was found. The main objective of this research was the development of a general computer simulation model for a wheat flour milling enterprise. The specific objectives of this research were: (1) To develop a general simulation model for the technical aspects of a flour milling process as a function of the market quality characteristics of the wheat to be milled. (2) To develop a mill management simulation spreadsheet model capable of reflecting economic variables that are associated with the process of flour milling and their impact on mill economics. (3) To combine the technical model and the management model into one that allows the analysis of the wheat flour milling system.;The procedure used in developing the technical model was based on a nonlinear function that described the cumulative ash curve as a segmented cubic-linear function. The cumulative ash curve function was found to be dependent on the 1,000 kernel weight; whole kernel ash; pearling value; overs of the #7, #9, and #12 wire; Zeleny sedimentation; and protein. The sensitivity analysis carried out with the model described the impact of the wheat physical characteristics on the patent flour and remaining clears flour extraction and on the straight flour and remaining clears ash content.;A mill management economic model capable of considering the main elements of a mill was developed. The mill management economic model (MMEM) consists of five operative levels and fifty-one tables implemented on an electronic spreadsheet. The five levels are: first level--data input, second level--manufacturing, third level--annual schedules, fourth level--financial analysis, and fifth level--long term analysis. The mill management economic model allows the testing of the impact on the mill economics of the different input characteristics. Linear relationships can be drawn from the sensitivity analysis of different characteristics of a mill. These relationships could be of great help in the management process.;The general model was developed as a means of supporting economic and financial evaluation of the results of the technical model by using the mill management economic model. Five economic factors were studied from the mill management economic model in the analysis of milling results from the technical model for two different types of wheats. These factors were the flour cost ($/cwt), the net income per unit of wheat processed ($/bu), the internal rate of return (%), the financial rate of return (%), and the profit change (%). All the results given by the economic factors were congruent.