A study on optimizing delivering scheduling for a multiproduct pipeline

Multiproduct pipeline is one of the major ways to connect the large refineries and the consumer markets. The primary task of a pipeline operator is to make scheduling plans which can meet the demands of the delivery stations and maintain the normal operations of the pipeline. In this paper, the objective function is to minimize the total deviation of delivering operation time-windows from due time-windows at each station, with the customers’ demand to be satisfied maximally within the time limits. A mathematical model of optimizing scheduling plan for each delivery station has been established and an optimal scheduling plan has been worked out through the heuristic rule. Furthermore, based on analyses, a scheduling simulation software (SSS) for a multiproduct pipeline has been developed and successfully applied to the operation and management of several multiproduct pipelines in China.

► The model of the operation optimization of a multiproduct pipeline is established.
► The objective function is to minimize the total deviation and satisfy demand.
► The results could provide an optimal delivering schedule for the scheduler.
► The scheduling simulation software developed has applied to pipelines successfully.