Constraint Mangement

Constraint Management

Operations Management QSO 600

Submitted by Patricia Peters

Submitted to Professor C.P.Craig

June 9, 2013

The Wheaton Sanitary District, like most, defines its capacity using gallons per day. That is, how many gallons per day the plant can effectively treat. Capacity can vary significantly by time of day, day of the week, and time of year.

Meeting peak demand requires that the treatment facility carefully utilize resources, including labor and equipment. Wheaton has four operational screw pumps. Normally operated one at a time, up to three can be utilized at any given time to meet demand. By law the plant must be able to operate with the largest screw out of commission. Wheaton also uses fee schedules, value added services, and methane capturing for fuel to assist in handling increased capacity demands.

Wheaton uses a Supervisory Control and Data Access (SCADA) system to monitor the operation of the plant using "real time" data on key components of the plant's equipment. This system allows operators to make changes in the operation through a central computer. This assists the district in monitoring and reacting to changes in capacity needs or in addressing operational issues.

Plants like this one are generally built away from residential areas. However, over time neighborhoods can develop around the facility making increased capacity problematic. In addition, changing the capacity of a facility like this can involve laying new pipe or upgrading the existing pipes, increased equipment needs, public opposition, availability of trained operators and large costs.

References

Krajewski, R. a. (2013). Operations Managment Processes and Supply Chains. Pearson.

Wheaton Sanitary District. (2013). Home . Retrieved from Wheaton Sanitary District: http://www.wsd.dst.il.us/tour/UniqueFeatures.shtml