Modeling and analysis of material flows in re-entrant supply chain networks using modified partial differential equations

Abstract

The basic partial differential equation (PDE) models for supply chain networks with re-entrant nodes and their macroscopic are proposed. However, through numerical examples, the basic continuum models do not perform well for multiple re-entrant systems. Then, a new state equation considering the re-entrant degree of the products is introduced to improve the effectiveness of the basic continuum models. The applicability of the modified continuum models for re-entrant supply chains is illustrated through numerical examples. Finally, based on the modified continuum model, numerical examples of different re-entrant degrees are given, meanwhile, the changes in the WIP and outflux are analyzed in details for multiple re-entrant supply chain systems. Copyright 2011 Fenglan He et al.