Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Control system in an industrial gas pipeline network to satisfy energy consumption constraints at production plants

Abstract:

Controlling flow of gas in a gas pipeline network, wherein flow of gas within each of the pipeline segments is associated with a direction (positive or negative). Processors calculate minimum and maximum production rates (bounds) at the gas production plant to satisfy an energy consumption constraint over a period of time. The production rate bounds are used to calculate minimum and maximum signed flow rates (bounds) for each pipeline segment. A nonlinear pressure drop relationship is linearized to create a linear pressure drop model for each pipeline segment. A network flow solution is calculated, using the linear pressure drop model, comprising flow rates for each pipeline segment to satisfy demand constraints and pressures for each of a plurality of network nodes over the period of time to satisfy pressure constraints. The network flow solution is associated with control element setpoints used to control one or more control elements.