MAXIMUM FLOW PROBLEM FOR PETROLEUM PRODUCT (PMS) DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM USING AHMED ALGORITHM

Abstract

In this work, maximum flow algorithm proposed by Ahmed et al (2014) was applied in the distribution of petroleum products through the NNPC pipelines from a source depot (Port Harcourt Refinery) to a sink depot (Maiduguri Depot). The pipeline network comprises of 8 depots (nodes) with 13 connecting routes (arcs). Each of these connecting pipes has a maximum quantity of product (in million litres) that can flow from one depot to the other at any particular supply. The Ahmed et al (2014) algorithm was then used to estimate the maximum flow. A total of 23 cuts were discovered and 7 augmenting paths were followed to achieve the maximum flow of 23 million litres after 7 iterations.