A high-level Petri nets approach for multi-objective optimization in pipeline networks

High-level Petri nets are a powerful modelling language appropriate to represent massive, dynamic, and complicated systems like pipeline networks. Finding the optimal path in these networks is not an easy task, especially when we are concerned with multi-objective problems such as in the present study: minimizing path´s length and maximizing valves´ dynamic reliability which depends on time and conditions of use. This work aims, firstly to calculate the dynamic reliability of the valves engaged in the path´s search according to their behavior, and secondly, to transform the multi-objective optimization problem into a shortest path problem through a scalarization method and then to find an optimal path using the Dijkstra´s algorithm developed with a High-level Petri nets. This contribution is applied in the transport of oil but it is potentially applicable in many other areas.