Mathematical Models for Optimization of Industrial Tank-Washing Operations

Abstract

In the present work, a general mathematical model for tank-washing operations is developed. It begins with theoretical considerations for the simplest cleaning strategy, the “one tank−one wash” model, assuming several simplifications for the cleaning process. Later, we generalize the previous considerations to an industrial system of n tanks with n independent washes and discuss optimization aspects. Thereafter, we analyze more complicated strategies, such as “n tanks−one in series wash” or “one tank−i consecutive washes”. Finally, we study a mixed strategy that is the basis for a great number of different possibilities for n tanks, namely, the “consecutive−in series” wash strategy. The combined strategies are shown to be a good alternative to n independent washes, resulting in a homogeneous level of cleaning and better performance. The mathematical structure of the strategies leads to theoretical optima that show the extent to which the cleaning water load can be conveniently exploited.