Simulation is a way of playing with a software model. This can be a model for one compressor, but also for a complex gas network. A simulation program has to solve complicated mathematical equations, describing the movement of the gas in the network under the given physical and technical conditions. It also has to take into account the conditions of the sales contracts.
Simulation is done by periodically changing the conditions of the network. The model calculates what consequences this has for the technical and financial results. This way you can predict what the results of the network will be under given conditions.
The main elements for optimizing are Dynamic Programming, NLP, MINLP, Graph theory, Search Algorithm and Linearization, followed by the use of Linear Programming.
Dynamic Programming works well in single chain pipe lines, but not in a more complex network. Some efforts were done to improve DP, but this wasn’t successful.
Optimization software is used in addition to the existing control software. It can be used on- and off-line for purposes like:
Fully automated
Field proven
Payback period less than six months
