A visual optimization method on the flow rate of batch transportation of mass crude oil

It is contradictory between energy saving and smooth transportation when the batch transportation plan of mass crude oil is optimized. In this paper, a visual optimization scheduling method was put forward to optimize the contradiction between energy saving and smooth transportation. In this method, the implicit enumeration method was applied to calculate the optimal pump combination and its energy consumption of each branch pipeline at various flow rates, and accordingly the curves of lowest energy consumption (optimal pump combination)-flow rate at the turnover point were plotted. Then, the composite energy consumption-composite flow rate curve was established by stacking the curves of lowest energy consumption-flow rate at the turnover point of all branch pipelines under the constraint of stipulated total time. And thus, the visual composite economic flow rate interval was figured out so as to provide the dispatchers with the reference for arranging the batch sequences and flow rates of each type of crude oil. And consequently, the contradictory target is optimized compromisingly. This method was applied in one case of pipeline transportation for scheme optimization. It is demonstrated that by virtue of visual flow rate optimization method, the economy and timeliness of pipeline transportation plan is improved. And meanwhile, the good visualization of optimization scheme is conducive for the operators to reduce the risk of scheme faults. (6 Figures, 3 Tables, 20 References)