Simulating the transport of heavy oil derivatives in a Brazilian pipeline network

A simulation model for a Brazilian pipeline network used to transport heavy oil derivatives is presented. The network has four refineries, three intermediate depots, a harbor and seven pipelines. The transport is influenced by supply needs and operational constraints. The network schedule is generated online by a simulation model. The objectives are to generate the schedule in accordance with a nondeterministic arrival of ships and to compare this schedule with the one generated by a hybrid approach that combines optimization and simulation techniques. With the simulation-only approach herein proposed, the pipelines are modeled as continuous flow entities. The obtained results allow the validation of different probability distributions for the arrival of ships and they indicate the differences of both approaches: the hybrid and the simulation-only.