The Added Value of Simulation during Liquid Bulk Terminal Design

摘要

During the concept design phase of a liquid bulk terminal, questions often arise which cannot be easily answered with general design methods. In order to be able to make a better prognosis on terminal requirements and performance, there is a demand for a flexible all-round simulation tool that will enhance, refine and accelerate the concept design process of a liquid bulk terminal. Incorporating simulation into the design process should provide engineers and designers with additional insight into how design considerations will affect terminal performance. This paper shows a method to develop a design support simulation tool which can be used during function design and in the early stages of process design, using the Delft Systems Approach. The tool provides more insight on the effect the various design and operation considerations have on terminal performance. The tool presents instant feedback on terminal performance, based on variable designers' input on terminal design characteristics and logistic flows. The research question is to what extent a simulation tool has added value to the design process of a liquid bulk terminal.