This thesis deals with the generalized Korean coal distribution system which considers the following two factors : the importage and the demand seasonality which has been neglected for the previous related studies.
This system is formulated as a capacitated network model, which can evaluate the alternatives on the locations and sizes of import ports of entry and storage facilities. Several scenarios are constructed under the assumptions on the variation of the port capacities, the limitations on the transportation capacity, and the storage costs. The Out-of-Kilter algorithm is used to run this model under several combinations of the above scenarios.
The data of 1976 and 1981 are used and several interesting results are obtained. The outcome of this study may not truely reflect the real status of Korean coal distribution system due to insufficient and unreliable data. However, this model and analyzing procedure gives some insights for the future policy making in the other product distribution system as well as the coal distribution system.
