A heuristic approach for optimizing delivery schedules of a multiproduct pipeline

Abstract

Proposing an efficient method for optimizing batch schedules is of great significance to improve the managementlevel of operating multiproduct pipelines. A heuristic approach called Delivery Operation Relay method, which is based onthe rule that the relay of delivery operations carried out by adjacent stations, was proposed to optimize delivery schedulesof a single-source and multi-depots multiproduct pipeline. The proposed approach divides delivery stations into severalgroups. Every group of stations is composed of several adjacent delivery stations. The delivery schedules of every groupof stations are drafted in order from upstream stations to downstream stations. The steps of drafting delivery schedules arebased on the rule that the delivery operations performed by every station in a same group should be kept in a good relay.When determining detailed schedules of a station downloading a batch, the starting moment is preferentially set to be theending moment of a delivery operation carried out by an adjacent station and the delivery rate is preferentially set to be theminimum delivery rate. Finally, the validity and practicability of the proposed approach was successfully illustrated by thescheduling of a multiproduct pipeline for one month, which provides a feasible method for making delivery schedules of amultiproduct pipeline.

Keywords

• multiproduct pipeline
• batch transportation
• batch schedule
• optimization
• heuristic approach