APPLICATION OF THE SHORTEST PATH ALGORITHM IN THE LOGISTICS PLANNING AND SIZING OF SLURRY PIPELINES

Long-distance pipeline infrastructure planning is a complex logistical and engineering problem that requires balancing high capital costs and operating costs, all under stringent topographical and environmental constraints. This work presents the development of an Integrated Decision Support System (SIAD) focused on the automation of conceptual projects (FEL phase) for the transportation of ore slurry. The structured methodology models geographic space as cost graphs from Digital Elevation Models (DEM), applying spatial penalties for exclusion areas. The Least Cost Path algorithm is used to define the optimal topographic route. Simultaneously, a fluid dynamic model was added that calculates the unit head loss and projects the Hydraulic Gradient Line (HGL) in real time. The system acts in a restrictive way, blocking unfeasible solutions by applying the Durand deposition limit speed and, mainly, imposing an anti-cavitation safety margin of 20 m.c.a. (Slack Flow phenomenon). The results achieved with the application prove the effectiveness of computational integration, which drastically reduces the time of tracing preliminary routes, ensuring routes that are economically efficient and safe.