Optimization of Pipelines Transporting Solids

A method is presented for optimizing an economic model of a nonclosed network of pipelines transporting mixtures of wood chips and water. A cost function for a single pipe is developed as a polynomial expression in terms of the concentration of solids, C, and the pipe diameter, D. The characteristic response surface generated by this polynomial provide a method for reducing to two the number of pipe diameters which need to be considered for minimizing the cost. The optimization of multiple-pipe networks utilizes the cost function of single pipes and, in addition, requires that continuity of flow of the mixture is satisfied at the junctions. Summaries of numerical examples of a three-line network is given. Costs of pipeline transport of woodchips determined by this method are compared with those of truck and rail for an existing area.