Batch planning for products pipeline network

This paper reviews available techniques for batch planning for products pipeline network. By using these techniques, a feasible solution is defined for batch planning. Researches are conducted on batch planning for the pipeline network composed by Western Oil Products Pipeline, Lanzhou-Zhengzhou-Changsha Oil Products Pipeline and Lanzhou-Chengdu-Chongqing Oil Products Pipeline. Based on the batch planning algorithm for individual product pipeline, the model assumptions, constraints and principles for batch planning for products pipeline network are analyzed. With consideration to oil inventories at junctions of pipelines, refinery output and oil demand downstream the pipelines, this paper proposes a batch planning algorithm and gets input and offtake plans of products pipeline networks in the principle of "first full, first transport". According to the model and algorithm, the tabulated batch planning for the entire pipeline network is generated by using the C language. Using the program, information such as distribution starting time, termination time and offtake volume can be obtained. It can effectively improve efficiency of the batch planning and provide the basis for pipeline network scheduling.