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Robust planning of blending activities at refineries

Author

Listed:
  • J Bengtsson

    (UMB School of Economics and Business, Aas, Norway)

  • D Bredström

    (Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway)

  • P Flisberg

    (Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway)

  • M Rönnqvist

    (Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway)

Abstract

Refinery operation planning is a complex task since refinery processes and inventories are tightly interconnected. We study refinery planning when ships are loaded with a blend of components and where arrival times of ships are uncertain. Any delay in ship arrival may result in overfull component tanks which results in less efficient blending alternatives, reduced process operations or even shut downs. We propose a planning approach where we use robust optimization as a decision tool. By using robust optimization uncertainty in arrival times is explicitly dealt with and the resulting plan and schedule will always be feasible. The approach includes a flexible way to describe and model uncertainties. To compare the robust approach with a traditional deterministic approach, we use a simulation process. Computational results from a case study and simulations show that the proposed methodology is substantially better than a deterministic approach.

Suggested Citation

  • J Bengtsson & D Bredström & P Flisberg & M Rönnqvist, 2013. "Robust planning of blending activities at refineries," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 64(6), pages 848-863, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:64:y:2013:i:6:p:848-863
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle L. Blom & Adrian R. Pearce & Peter J. Stuckey, 2016. "A Decomposition-Based Algorithm for the Scheduling of Open-Pit Networks Over Multiple Time Periods," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 62(10), pages 3059-3084, October.
    2. Marianne Zanon-Zotin & Luiz Bernardo Baptista & Rebecca Draeger & Pedro R. R. Rochedo & Alexandre Szklo & Roberto Schaeffer, 2024. "Unaddressed non-energy use in the chemical industry can undermine fossil fuels phase-out," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Carvalho, Andréa Nunes & Oliveira, Fabricio & Scavarda, Luiz Felipe, 2016. "Tactical capacity planning in a real-world ETO industry case: A robust optimization approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 158-171.
    4. Benhamou, Latifa & Giard, Vincent & Khouloud, Mehdi & Fenies, Pierres & Fontane, Frédéric, 2020. "Reverse Blending: An economically efficient approach to the challenge of fertilizer mass customization," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

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