On optimisation of agri chains by dynamic programming

A methodology for optimisation of agri chains by dynamic programming (DP) is presented which explicitly deals with the appearance and quality of products. In agri chains, a product can be characterised by two types of states, namely appearance and quality states. Appearance states are influenced by handling actions. Quality states are influenced by processing, transportation and storage actions. The concept of chain optimisation by DP is elaborated. Chain optimisation refers to the construction of optimal routes defining which actors in the chain should perform which actions at which process conditions at minimum integral costs. Models describing quality development of a product as a function of the process conditions can be included into the DP methodology. The DP methodology has been implemented into a software tool and is illustrated with a case for an agri chain of willow biomass fuel to an energy plant. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.