Optimal Scheduling of Multi-Level Tree-Structure Pipeline Networks

DIEGO C. CAFARO, JAIME CERDÁ

Thessaloniki

Simposio; ESCAPE 21 - 21st European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering; 2011

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Refined products pipelines move oil derivatives such as gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel from refineries, trade centers, or seaports to markets. Most of them are multiproduct systems transporting batches of different products one after the other into the same duct. Tree-structure pipeline networks consist of a trunk line serving high-volume, long-haul transportation requirements, and secondary lines distributing smaller volumes along shorter distances. Secondary lines usually originate from the trunk line at an oil products terminal or a branching node. Moreover, some of them are branched into smaller ducts, resulting in a multi-level tree structure. This work introduces a rigorous mathematical formulation for the operational planning of multi-level tree pipeline networks. Lots of different refined products can be branched and re-branched to lowerlevel pipelines, and delivered to accessible demanding depots during a single pumping operation. The problem goal is to find the optimal transport schedule in order to satisfy all terminal requirements at minimum pumping, interface, idle transport capacity, and inventory carrying costs.