An analytical model for recirculating conveyors with stochastic inputs and outputs

An algorithm is developed for the analysis of the traffic behaviour in the recirculating conveyor with stochastic inputs and outputs. The approach is through the theory of conveyor systems as ordered entry queueing systems, extended to include models with recirculation. The analysis of overflow traffic from loss models and the superposition of two general point processes combine to yield an approximation for the first two moments of the processes on both the outward and inward cycles of the conveyor. A simulation model of the conveyor is also developed. A comparison of the simulation with the algorithm not only indicates the accuracy of the algorithm, but points out the inherent shortcomings of the simulation approach. This effect is dramatized as the value of the traffic intensity is increased.