Pipeline Optimization

by Harry Tuazon

Submitted : Fall 2010

The objective to this project is to determine the minimum cost for laying this pipe and the pipe lengths needed for water, marsh, and dry land. In order to do this, two general equations was created: one to calculate the total cost (C_T), and for the total length (L_T). Each equation was then partially derived in terms of their variables. The partial derivative equations were then solved simultaneously. Because the set of equations were particularly difficult to solve by hand, a graphing utility was used to graph each equations. The intersection point of the two equations in the xy-graph was the answer to the equations. Simultaneously solving the partial derivatives of the total cost equation, the total length is 30.1357 mi with 22.39 M$ from A to B. Simultaneously solving the partial derivatives of the total length equation, the total length (L_T) is 29.732 mi with 22.7 M$ from A to B. Comparing these results, the first results cost less by 31 M$ and the L_T of the pipes is longer by .4057 mi compared to the second results.

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