Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An MILP model for scheduling the operation of a refined petroleum products distribution system

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Operational Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transportation is one of the core components of the oil supply chain which needs rigorous optimization tools. Refined product pipelines are the preferred transportation option compared with other ones such as rail, road tankers and coastal vessels because they are reliable and economical. The problem discussed in this paper is short-term scheduling of a generic oil products transportation system characterized by a multi-product pipeline that connects a unique refinery to several distribution centers serving local markets. A novel mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation based on a continuous representation in both time and volume scales is presented. The problem goal is to meet product demands at minimum total cost including pumping, interface, flow restart and ON/OFF pump switching costs. To illustrate the proposed approach, three real-world examples are solved. The results show significant improvements in solution quality coupled with a reduced in computational burden compared to previous similar works.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Boschetto SN, Magatao L, Brondani WM, Neves-Jr F, Arruda LVR, Barbosa- Pvoa APFD, Relvas S (2010) An operational scheduling model to product distribution through a pipeline network. Ind Eng Chem Res 49:5661–5682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cafaro VG, Cafaro DC, Mendez CA, Cerda J (2011) Detailed scheduling of operations in single-source refined products pipelines. Ind Eng Chem Res 50:6240–6259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cafaro VG, Cafaro DC, Mendez CA, Cerda J (2012) Detail scheduling of single-source pipelines with simultaneous deliveries to multiple offtake stations. Ind Eng Chem Res 51:6145–6165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cafaro VG, Cafaro DC, Mendez CA, Cerda J (2014) MINLP model for the detailed scheduling of refined products pipelines with flow rate dependent pumping costs. Comput Chem Eng 72:210–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cafaro DC, Cerda J (2004) Optimal scheduling of multiproduct pipeline systems using a non-discrete MILP formulation. Comput Chem Eng 28:2053–2068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cafaro DC, Cerda J (2008) Dynamic scheduling of multiproduct pipelines with multiple delivery due dates. Comput Chem Eng 32:728–753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro PM (2010) Optimal scheduling of pipeline systems with a resource-task network continuous-time formulation. Ind Eng Chem Res 49:11491–11505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro PM, Grossmann IE (2012) Generalized disjunctive programming as a systematic modeling framework to derive scheduling formulations. Ind Eng Chem Res 51:5781–5792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro PM, Grossmann IE (2014) Global optimal scheduling of crude oil blending operations with RTN continuous-time and multiparametric disaggregation. Ind Eng Chem Res 53:15127–15145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro PM, Marques I (2015) Operating room scheduling with generalized disjunctive programming. Comput Oper Res 64:262–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garca-Snchez A, Arreche LM, Ortega-Mier M (2008) Combining simulation and tabu search for oil-derivatives pipeline scheduling. Stud Comput Intel 128:301–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghaffari-Hadigheh AR, Mostafaei H (2015) On the scheduling of real world multiproduct pipelines with simultaneous delivery. Optim Eng 16:571–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hane CA, Ratliff HD (1995) Sequencing inputs to multi-commodity pipelines. Ann Oper Res 57:73–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herran A, de la Cruz JM, de Andres B (2010) Mathematical model for planning transportation of multiple petroleum products in a multi-pipeline system. Comput Chem Eng 34:401–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones WMC, Paddock KF (1982) Transport by pipeline. In: Hobson GD (ed) Modern petroleum technology-part I. Wiley, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopes TM, Cire AA, de Souza CC, Moura AV (2010) A hybrid model for a multiproduct pipeline planning and scheduling problem. Constraints 15:151–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karakitsiou A, Migdalas A (2008) A decentralized coordination mechanism for integrated production-transportation-inventory problem in the supply chain using Lagrangian relaxation. Oper Res 8:257–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Magatao L, Arruda LVR, Neves FA (2004) A mixed integer programming approach for scheduling commodities in a pipeline. Comput Chem Eng 28:171–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mori FM, Luders R, Arruda LVR, Yamamoto L, Bonacin MV, Polli HL et al (2007) Simulating the operational scheduling of a real world pipeline network. Comput Aided Chem Eng 24:691–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafaei H, Alipouri Y, Shokri J (2015) A mixed-integer linear programming for scheduling a multi-product pipeline with dual-purpose terminals. Comput Appl Math 34:979–1007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafaei H, Ghaffari-Hadigheh AR (2014) A general modeling framework for the long-term scheduling of multiproduct pipelines with delivery constraints. Ind Eng Chem Res 53:7029–7042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafaei H, Alipouri Y, Zadahmad M (2015) A mathematical model for scheduling of real-world tree-structured multi-product pipeline system. Math Methods Oper Res 81:53–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafaei H, Castro PM, Ghaffari-Hadigheh AR (2015) A novel monolithic MILP framework for lot-sizing and scheduling of multiproduct tree-like pipeline networks. Ind Eng Chem Res 54:9202–9221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neves-Jr F, Magatao L, Stebel SL, Boschetto SN, Felizari LC, Czaikowski DI, Rocha R, Ribas PC (2007) An efficient approach to the operational scheduling of a real-world pipeline network. Comput Aided Chem Eng 24:697–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rejowski R, Pinto JM (2003) Scheduling of a multiproduct pipeline system. Comput Chem Eng 27:1229–1246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rejowski R, Pinto JM (2004) Efficient MILP formulations and valid cuts for multiproduct pipeline scheduling. Comput Chem Eng 28:1511–1528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rejowski R, Pinto JM (2008) A novel continuous time representation for the scheduling of pipeline systems with pumping yield rate constraints. Comput Chem Eng 32:1042–1066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Relvas S, Matos HM, Barbosa-Povoa AFD, Fialho J, Pinheiro AS (2006) Pipeline scheduling and inventory management of a multiproduct distribution oil system. Ind Eng Chem Res 45:7841–7855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Relvas S, Matos HM, Barbosa-Povoa AFD, Fialho J (2007) Reactive scheduling framework for a multiproduct pipeline with inventory management. Ind Eng Chem Res 46:5659–5672

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasikumar M, Prakash PR, Patil SM (1997) PIPES: a heuristic search model for pipeline schedule generation. Knowl-Based Syst 10:169–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah N (1996) Mathematical programming techniques for crude oil scheduling. Comput Chem Eng 20:1227–1232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Techo R, Holbrook DL (1974) Computers scheduling the worlds biggest product pipeline. Pipeline Gas J 4:27

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Cryptography, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, PO Box 83145/115, Esfahan, Iran

    Ali Zaghian

  2. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Ilkhchi Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilkhchi, Iran

    Hossein Mostafaei

Authors
  1. Ali Zaghian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hossein Mostafaei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Zaghian.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zaghian, A., Mostafaei, H. An MILP model for scheduling the operation of a refined petroleum products distribution system. Oper Res Int J 16, 513–542 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-015-0212-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-015-0212-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation