Analogical Approach for Optimizing Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Network System

Abstract

The increase in demand for natural gas in different sectors attracted different scholars in optimizing the operation and configurations of natural gas pipeline network (NGPN) systems. Even though there have been reports regarding the attempts of solutions for optimizing NGPN problems, the issues of NGPN regarding energy minimizations are not fully address yet. This paper proposed robust solution for NGPN system energy consumption minimization at compressor stations based on analogical approach. The analogies between NGPN system and inventory model were observed and applied in the analysis of steady state NGPN system. The proposed technique is based on the inventory model to find optimal operations for natural gas pipeline network system. The method for the determination of the optimal pressures was efficient and handled the non-linearity that occurs on both objective and the constraint equations. Results on a gunbarrel NGPN showed the proposed method assisted in determining the discharge and suction pressures to minimized energy consumption at compressor stations.