A Discrete-Event Simulation Tool for Efficient Operation of Refined Products Pipelines

MA. FERNANDA GLEIZES, GERMÁN HERRERO, DIEGO C. CAFARO, CARLOS A. MÉNDEZ, JAIME CERDÁ

Nápoles, Italia

Simposio; ESCAPE 20; 2010

Asoc. Italiana de Ingeniería Química

This work presents a novel discrete event simulation model developed on Arena® for dynamically managing pipeline transport systems consisting of a sequence of pipes that connect a single input station to several receiving terminals. The pipeline network is modeled as a multi-server queuing system involving a number of servers that perform their tasks in a synchronized manner. Each time a pumping event occurs at the input station, a new batch element enters the first-server queue and another entity at the exit of one of the pipes should be dispatched to a receiving terminal. Based on priority rules, the model decides which one should dispatch the entity waiting for service to the associated depot. Each priority rule can lead to a different delivery schedule, which is evaluated by using several criteria. At the same time, the model allows to assess the punctuality in the fulfillment of terminal demands and the system response when unexpected events, like pipeline stoppages and product stock-outs, occur. In contrast to rigorous mathematical optimization tools, the proposed simulation technique makes use of a friendly user-interface to easily analyze and manage the monthly operation of realworld pipelines networks with very low computational effort.