0000000000183962
AUTHOR
G. La Scalia
A Decision support system for sustainable operations management in small power plants
The importance of environmentally-friendly electricity production is recognized as one of the most important challenges of our future, covering a broad context of research topics and promoting future scenarios based on renewable energies and new technologies. In the short term, however, energy generation will still be largely relying on power plants fired with fossil fuels whose emissions of pollutants are regulated by the industrial emissions directive in the EU legislation. Such directive does not apply to small and medium combustion plants, which until now, have only been subject to national regulations. As part of its air quality package from December 2013, the EU Commission has propose…
A MCDM-based methodology to evaluate the mutual influence among performance shaping factors
In recent decades, risk analysts have widely focused on Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) methods to assess the contribution of human errors to system failures, also considering contextual and cognitive factors named Performance Shaping Factors (PSFs). Initially implemented in the field of Nuclear Power Plants (NNPs), HRA methods have been extended to different sectors in recent years. Despite that, the majority of contributions in the field assume the independence among PSFs, which may result in an over or under estimation of the Human Error Probability (HEP). Therefore, the present paper proposes a DEMATEL-based approach to evaluate the mutual influence between PSFs proposed by the SPARH m…
An integrated approach for modelling and solving multimode job shop scheduling problem using multi objective genetic algorithm
In this paper, we present a Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) for modelling and solving the Multimode Job-shop Scheduling Problem (MJSP), which aims at finding the start times and execution modes for the operations of different jobs that optimize a given set of objective functions while verifying precedence and resource constraints. The proposed model can be used to generate alternative schedules based on the relative magnitude and importance of different objectives. Its main contributions are the mode assignment procedure in the chromosome generation and the use of three fitness functions. Its performance is demonstrated by computational results obtained on a set of standard instanc…
Controlled temperature grinding under modified atmosphere for Almond (Prunus Dulcis) paste production
The quality of the raw material and the processing conditions have a great influence on the nutritional properties of finished products. This research is focused on almond paste production and aims at developing a new production process to deliver the high nutritional content of the raw almonds into the finished product. Raw almonds are composed mainly of fats (approx. 50%) and proteins (approx. 25%), and are particularly rich in omega 6 fatty acids, and are hence exposed to denaturation and oxidation phenomena during the traditional grinding/homogenization process. The study involved the analysis of six different local cultivars based upon the main nutritional indicators (protein content, …
Improved FMECA for effective risk management decision making by failure modes classification under uncertainty
Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) is a proactive reliability and risk management technique extensively used in practice to ensure high system performance by prioritising failure modes. Owing to the limitations of traditional FMECA, multi-criteria decision-making methods have been employed over the past two decades to enhance its effectiveness. To consider the vagueness and uncertainty of the FMECA evaluation process, an interval-based extension of the Elimination et Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE) TRI method is proposed in the present paper for the classification of failure modes into risk categories. Therefore, ratings of failure modes against risk parameters are…
Effect of Vibration on the Quality of Strawberry Fruits Caused by Simulated Transport
Mechanical damage of agricultural products is one of the main problems in the harvest and postharvest chain due to the large economic loss that the shelf life reduction could generate. Measurements of change in the chemical components of highly perishable products and microbial growth under different static and dynamic loads is the first step in the development of intelligent logistic units that could help in predicting the residual shelf life in order to minimize losses along the supply chain. In our research, the effects of vibration along the supply chain of a case study were analyzed on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) in terms of microbiological…
Ranking of shelf life models based on smart logistic unit using the ELECTRE III method
The aim of this paper is the evaluation of Shelf Life (SL) models based on Smart logistic unit to support the management of the food supply chain in order to guarantee the shelf life of products in agreement with logistic efficiency and system sustainability. For this purpose, the main shelf life equations based on parameters that influence the quality of perishable products were defined and the correspondent acquiring and gathered system has been developed. The selection of the optimal SL model was carried out by means of the multi-criteria decision-making procedure ELECTRE III.
Techno-economic analysis of a membrane filtration process for the phenolic compound extraction
In this paper the economical feasibility of a system based on the membrane filtration process for the phenolic compound extraction and the subsequent polyphenolic enrichment of the olive oil, have been assessed. In particular, the analysis of the investment profitability of a case study was presented to determine the optimal incremental price of the olive oil obtained by the enrichment process
A fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methodology to optimise olive agro-engineering processes based on geo-spatial technologies
In southern Italy, the olive oil sector is an important part of the primary sector and its development requires support from research to ensure its sustainability. This work proposes the first step for set up a decision support system (DSS) for establishing mechanisation in agricultural operations for different olive groves. To contribute to this goal researches have been carried out to test the ability of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) to map olive groves and their agronomic characteristics. In detail, this study aimed to classify olives grove areas in terms of agronomic suitability and detect horticultural characteristics of olive groves in order to develop a …
Multi objective genetic algorithms for unequal area facility layout problems: A survey
The Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem (UA-FLP) comprises a class of extremely difficult and widely applicable optimization problems arising in diverse areas and meeting the requirements for real-world applications. In this paper we present our existing works of the past decade showing the evolutions obtained in the Genetic Algorithms (GA) used to solve the facility layout problem. GA have recently proven their effectiveness in finding (sub) optimal solutions to many NP-Hard problems such as UA-FLP. A main issue in such approach is related to the genetic encoding and to the evolutionary mechanism implemented, which must allow the efficient exploration of a wide solution space, preserving …
Distribution of biomass and site location of combustion and gasification power plants in western Sicily
The substitution of conventional fossil fuels with biomass for energy production results both in the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and in the replacement of non-renewable energy sources. The use of biomass for energy production responds to the growing pressure of government policies towards the achievement of better environmental sustainability of power generation processes. This is particularly true for the agricultural areas of Sicily, where the realization of new economic dynamics can lead to development of a local economic system. However, at present, generating energy from biomass is rather expensive due to both technological limits related to low conversion efficiencies, and…
Sustainable vehicle routing based on firefly algorithm and TOPSIS methodology
Abstract In a sustainable management of logistics, transportation plays a crucial role. Traditionally, the main purpose was to solve the Vehicle Routing Problem minimizing the cost associated with the travelled distances. Nowadays, the economic profit cannot be the only driver for achieving sustainability and environmental issues have to be also considered. In this paper, to satisfy the intricate limits involved in real vehicle routing problem, the study has been structured considering different types of vehicles in terms of maximum capacity, velocity and emissions, asymmetric paths, vehicle-client constraints and delivery time windows. The firefly algorithm has been implemented to solve th…
Shelf life-based inventory management policy for RF monitored warehouse
Post-harvest losses of perishable products strongly depend on inefficiencies of the entire supply chain. In particular, these inefficiencies can be reduced by optimizing the warehouse management, taking into account the remaining shelf life of the product, and matching it to the requirements of the subsequent part of the handling chain. The replacement of First In First Out picking rule with Last Shelf Life First Out policy has been proved to improve the overall performance of the supply chain. The practicability of such approach is related to the possibility of monitoring the deterioration rate of the products and of predicting the residual shelf-life, that is mainly influenced by harvesti…
A combined interval-valued ELECTRE TRI and TOPSIS approach for solving the storage location assignment problem
Abstract Efficiency and effectiveness of logistic activities, in general, and of distribution networks, in particular, are largely influenced by the way warehouses operate as nodes of these networks. In recent years, warehouse management has undergone major changes due to the increase of e-commerce and competition in time-reduction. Despite that, logistic costs of warehouse processes (e.g. receiving, storage, order picking and shipping, etc.) are still often high. Referring to the order picking process, related activities may be optimized by a proper assignment of products to storage locations. In the literature, this problem is known as Storage Location Assignment Problem (SLAP). Due to th…
Automatic detection and agronomic characterization of olive groves using high-resolution imagery and LIDAR data
The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union grants subsidies for olive production. Areas of intensified olive farming will be of major importance for the increasing demand for oil production of the next decades, and countries with a high ratio of intensively and super-intensively managed olive groves will be more competitive than others, since they are able to reduce production costs. It can be estimated that about 25-40% of the Sicilian oliviculture must be defined as “marginal”. Modern olive cultivation systems, which permit the mechanization of pruning and harvest operations, are limited. Agronomists, landscape planners, policy decision-makers and other professionals have a grow…
Evaluation of routing policies using an interval-valued TOPSIS approach for the allocation rules
Abstract The success of warehouse management in a supply chain widely depends on an efficient and effective retrieve of customer orders, which is known as the picking process. This paper investigates various routing policies of pickers under two different allocation methods of items in a warehouse of fixed layout, and evaluates their performance in terms of the resulting travel distance by means of a simulation approach. The allocation strategies taken into account are the random storage and a multi-criteria approach, called Interval-Value TOPSIS (IV-T), which is expressively proposed in this paper as a new way to solve the storage allocation problem of items in a warehouse. Because of the …
Damage to Strawberries Caused by Simulated Transport
The quality and condition of perishable products delivered to the market and their subsequent selling prices are directly affected by the care taken during harvesting and handling. Mechanical injury, in fact, occurs at all stages, from pre-harvest operations through post-harvest handling, packing and transport to the market. The main implications of this damage are the reduction of the product’s quality and economical losses related to the shelf life diminution. For most perishable products, the shelf life is relatively short and it is typically dictated by microbial growth related to the application of dynamic and static loads during transportation. This paper presents the correlation betw…
Regenerative scheduling problem in engineer to order manufacturing: an economic assessment
The dynamic production scheduling is a very complex process that may arise from the occurrence of unpredictable situations such as the arrival of new orders besides the ones already accepted. As a consequence, companies may often encounter several difficulties to make decisions about the new orders acceptance and sequencing along with the production of the existing ones. With this recognition, a mathematical programming model for the regenerative scheduling problem with deterministic processing times is formulated in the present paper to evaluate the economic advantage of accepting a new order in an engineer to order (ETO) manufacturing organization. The real case of an Italian ETO company …
Economic assessment based on scenario analysis for the production of a new functional pasta
Abstract Nowadays functional foods are becoming more popular due to their capacity to prevent and/or reduce the risk of certain diseases. Functional foods improve health and give physiological benefits providing nutrients beyond the simple nutritional value. The market for functional foods is growing rapidly and the consumers are willing to pay a premium price for these products. In this context, the production of pasta comprising Opuntia may represent an opportunity to combine the widespread consumption of pasta in the traditional Mediterranean Diet and the beneficial characteristics of the Opuntia, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial and neuroprotective p…
An Innovative Shelf Life Model Based on Smart Logistic Unit for an Efficient Management of the Perishable Food Supply Chain
Despite the recent interest towards food safety and control, it is generally difficult to ensure full products traceability through industrial food chains, due to the lack of efficient information and communication systems. Consequently, nowadays, the protection of food products often ends at the gates of the producer without any investigation about the status of their quality at the consumer's location. The aim of this paper was the development of a supply chain monitoring system based on a smart logistic unit (SLU) to support the integrated management of the food supply chain from “farm to fork” in order to guarantee and control food safety and shelf life (SL) of products in agreement wit…
Sistema de monitorización en continuo a tiempo real de la concentración de oxígeno durante el batido para la producción de aceite de oliva virgen
During the mechanical extraction process of Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) some important physical phenomena and enzymatic transformations occur which influence the quality of the final product. The control of process parameters is crucial to ensure the quality of VOO, therefore process monitoring and control is a fundamental requirement in the modern VOO processing industry. The present work proposes an innovative Real-Time Monitoring System (RTMS) aimed at continuously measuring the oxygen concentration during the malaxation process in order to establish a correlation with the quality of the final product obtained. This monitoring system is based on an oxygen concentration sensor directly connect…