Batch-centric Continuous-time Formulation for Pipeline Scheduling

We propose a new mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) formulation for straight pipelines with multiple intermediate dual purpose nodes. Products enter the pipeline as batches, making this a batchcentric approach. As such, and before solving the model, it is required to convert the products initially inside the pipeline into batches and assign them left and right coordinates. Furthermore, we need to leave empty batches in between to allow for injections at intermediate nodes. We will show that these decisions, together with the number of time slots in the single grid continuous-time formulation, affect solution quality. The model features segment-dependent coordinates and allows for interacting pumping runs. It is thus more general than previous work, leading to a better utilization of the pipeline capacity.