Pipeline flow control optimization software and methods

• US 20060009881A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dominion Transmission Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Dominion Transmission Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Haught, Brian A., Rusnak, Dale, Ferber, E. Philip, Fox, Patrick H. Jr., See, Bernard L., Heatherly, Evan, Fouts, B. Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,720,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0647 the plurality of throttling means being arranged in series

Abstract

Pipeline flow optimization systems, software, and methods that emulate transient optimization are disclosed. A pipeline flow optimization system includes an upset condition handler that is adapted to provide a multivariable controller with pipeline flow adjustments to handle one or more upset conditions. The optimization system may be used with fluid pipeline systems, including gas pipeline systems and liquid pipeline systems. Systems, software, and methods according to embodiments of the invention may further include linepack transition handling capabilities and administrative tools.

Claims

1. A pipeline flow optimization system, comprising an upset condition handler adapted to provide a multivariable controller with pipeline flow adjustments to handle one or more upset conditions.

2. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 1, further comprising:

a linepack transition handler adapted to calculate and implement transitions in linepack in a pipeline system; and

administrative tools,

wherein the administrative tools are adapted to monitor the performance of the pipeline system and provide data used to calibrate models used for steady-state and transient modeling of the pipeline system.

3. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 2, wherein the transitions in linepack are from a present optimal state to a future optimal state.

4. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 1, wherein the one or more upset conditions comprise one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of an intake flow less than a target intake flow, a discharge pressure greater than a target discharge pressure, the discharge pressure at about a maximum operating pressure, a speed driver of a compressor at s about 100%, a speed driver of a compressor at about 0%, a cooler temperature close to maximum, and flow conditions greater or less than contractual obligations at a particular discharge point.

5. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 1, wherein the upset condition handler:

calculates one or more adjustment factors indicative of a degree to which a correction for a specific upset condition is required;

determines which of the one or more adjustment factors is to be applied; and

supplies an adjustment signal to the multivariable controller based on the one or more applied adjustment factors.

6. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 2, wherein the administrative tools provide the data after finding consecutive hours of static operating conditions within the pipeline system.

7. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 6, wherein the administrative tools provide the data after finding six consecutive hours of static operating conditions.

8. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 2, wherein the administrative tools monitor the performance of individual line segments and individual stations and provide data used to calibrate models used for steady-state and transient modeling of the individual line segments and individual stations.

9. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 8, wherein the administrative tools monitor the performance of coupled line segments and stations and provide data used to calibrate models used for steady-state and transient modeling of the coupled line segments and stations.

10. A pipeline flow optimization system, comprising:

an upset condition handler;

a multivariable controller for controlling components of a pipeline system;

optimization software for calculating steady-state parameters of the pipeline system and providing the steady-state parameters to the upset condition handler; and

a supervisory control and data acquisition system for acquiring pipeline system data,

wherein the upset condition handler receives the pipeline system data from the supervisory control and data acquisition system and provides the multivariable controller with pipeline flow adjustments to handle one or more upset conditions.

11. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, wherein the upset condition handler is included within the multivariable controller.

12. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, wherein the one or more upset conditions comprise one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of an intake flow less than a target intake flow, a discharge pressure greater than a target discharge pressure, the discharge pressure at about a maximum operating pressure, a speed driver of a compressor at s about 100%, a speed driver of a compressor at about 0%, a cooler temperature close to maximum, and flow conditions greater or less than contractual obligations at a particular discharge point.

13. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, wherein the upset condition handler:

calculates one or more adjustment factors indicative of a degree to which a correction for a specific upset condition is required;

determines which of the one or more adjustment factors is to be applied; and

supplies an adjustment signal to the multivariable controller based on the one or more applied adjustment factors.

14. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, wherein the upset condition handler provides a warning to an operator in response to one or more upset conditions.

15. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, further comprising administrative tools, wherein the administrative tools are adapted to monitor the performance of the pipeline system and provide data used to calibrate models used for steady-state and transient modeling of the pipeline system.

16. The pipeline flow optimization system of claim 10, further comprising a linepack transition handler adapted to calculate and implement transitions in linepack in the pipeline system.

17. A pipeline flow control system, comprising:

an optimizer for calculating steady-state parameters of a pipeline system;

a control unit for controlling pipeline system components that cause pipeline flow;

a data acquirer for acquiring pipeline system component data and pipeline flow data; and

a control logic unit,

wherein the control logic unit adjusts the steady-state parameters of the pipeline system in response to an upset condition by analyzing the pipeline system component data and the pipeline flow data and applying an adjustment factor to the control unit.

18. The pipeline flow control system of claim 17, wherein the control logic unit comprises:

an upset condition handler for analyzing the pipeline system component data and the pipeline flow data; and

a multivariable controller for controlling the pipeline system components that cause the pipeline flow.

19. The pipeline flow control system of claim 18, wherein control logic unit further comprises a linepack transition handler for calculating and implement transitions in linepack in the pipeline system.

20. The pipeline flow control system of claim 17, further comprising administrative tools for monitoring performance of the pipeline system and providing data used to calibrate models used for steady-state and transient modeling of the pipeline system.

21. The pipeline flow control system of claim 17, wherein the upset condition comprises one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of an intake flow less than a target intake flow, a discharge pressure greater than a target discharge pressure, the discharge pressure at about a maximum operating pressure, a speed driver of a compressor at about 100%, a speed driver of a compressor at about 0%, a cooler temperature close to maximum, and flow conditions greater or less than contractual obligations at a particular discharge point.

22. The pipeline flow control system of claim 17, wherein the control unit and the data acquirer are an integrated unit.

23. A method of handling transient conditions in a pipeline flow optimization system, comprising:

calculating one or more adjustment factors, each adjustment factor being indicative of a degree to which a correction is needed for an upset condition;

choosing at least one adjustment factor to apply to the pipeline flow optimization system; and

applying a chosen adjustment factor.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein applying the chosen adjustment factor comprises automatically adjusting control parameters of the pipeline flow optimization system.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein applying the chosen adjustment factor comprises notifying a human operator.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

prior to calculating the one or more adjustment factors,

determining whether to adjust a flow target; and

initializing a data array,

wherein storing the one or more adjustment factors comprises storing adjustment factors in the data array.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing the one or more adjustment factors.