A computer simulation model of the plant is used when appropriate as one of the RAM assessment tools. The model will output plant and system throughput rates and the utilization of equipment and buffer storage areas. The model can be used to make estimates of campaign lengths and to evaluate the effect of projected or proposed changes on system performance. In the baseline disposal process, containers of munitions are transported to a container handling building for temporary storage. The containers are transferred to the unpacking area where munitions are unloaded from the containers and fed to the process lines.
Conveyors transfer individual munitions and munitions in trays throughout the disposal facility.
Specialized equipment perform explosive-related operations. Other equipment separates the agent from the munitions and prepares the munitions for thermal treatment in four special furnaces. The pollution abatement system cleans emissions before release to the atmosphere. Operational times, speeds, failure rates, repair times, and processing logic determine the movement of munitions and bulk items through the facility simulation. Relatively small investments in simulation modeling can significantly reduce program costs and schedule by identifying problems ahead of time.