Transient Analysis of a Complex Network of Gas Pipeline Compulsory in the

Design by Dynamic Simulation

1
Mohamed Chérif AbdelFettah.. TOUABTI* 1Messaoud GUELLAL
1
Laboratory of Chemical Engineering
University Ferhat Abbas, Faculty of Engineering, Sétif – Algeria

Abstract

Technical and economical calculations of pipelines networks of are made currently on the basis
of stationary flow regimes that are to say of working regimes where the technical features
(mainly flow speed and pressure) are supposed non variants with regard to the time. However the
analysis of practical situations shows that the real flows are only unusually stationary.
The hypothesis of stationary aspect in the conception of pipeline networks is bound mainly to the
mathematical difficulties describing the nonstationary out-flow in a complex network of
pipelines: differential equation systems of non linear partial derivatives of very big dimension.
However the analysis of practical situation shows that the real out-flows are only unusually
stationary.
We suggest in this subject a modelling and simulation of a real pipeline with variable and
transient regime and to study by means of numerical simulations the dynamic behavior of gas in
pipeline by means of several scenario.
The software used is the SIMONE of LIWACOM Group s.r.o and TGNET 5.6- E of SSI.

Keywords: Pipelines networks, Gazodynamics, Variable flow, Modeling, Simulation,

1. Introduction

Traditionally, a new project of a system of gas pipeline starts with a step of technical and
economic evaluation which takes into account the analysis of the stationary state of the flow with
a multitude of assumptions such as intensification of the distribution market, minimal and
maximum flow and the estimated number of compression stations. Once the economic and
technical evaluation shows an interesting output of the project, the implied companies decide on
its launching, and the step of the design starts. It is in this step that a transient analysis of the
system appeared to be imperative.

Why a transient analysis in the step of design? Off-line

The first reason is related to the importance of the necessary investment for such a system
constituted of pipelines and compressor stations. The conceived system has to be able to function
according to different predictable scenarios. Otherwise the transport company would be penalized
*Corresponding author: Address: Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, University Ferhat Abbas,
Faculty of Engineering, Sétif – Algeria. E-mail : touabtif@yahoo.fr , Phone (213) 73.10.98.06 Faxes (213) 36 72 17 87
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for the non-distribution of the agreed volume of gas mentioned in the contract clause or to invest
additional capital in the system affecting in a dramatically the project cost.
The second reason is that at this stage normally we see the addition of new distributions with
various profiles such as the thermal generation which could stop the gas consumption for a
certain time (unballasting). These scenarios must be taken into account since they affect directly
the installation plan of the compressor stations and the operational units depending on the service
of gas distribution.
Moreover, we could use the transient analysis to define beforehand the turbo-compressors which
match best our system and also define the best arrangement of the units within the station, either
in series (some units and larger machines) or in parallel (more units and smaller machines) in a
pipeline we would make a failure analysis for only one unit or the complete station and to
envisage how the system would behave, determination of gasometric provision, and to define
even before the design stage.

2. System Configuration

The system to be simulated includes two real networks of different configuration SIMPL1and
SIMPL2.

SIMPL1
The system to simulate include a network of gas pipeline of 4000 km with 400 nodes includes.
(01) Source point
(03) Compression stations (of which one is in project)
(04) Pressure regulators and reducers.
The gas volume is 1,2. 109 .m3 .During summer the uninterrupted deliverable volume raise up to
550 106 m3 and the maximum instantaneous flow 13 106 m3/day. Series of flow and pressure
measurements were obtained by the means of the SCADA system. Sections of 125 and 800 mm
are covered internally with an epoxy painting with a roughness of 0.009mm and for other non-
covered pipelines roughness is 0.018mm.The pipeline profile varies from the sea level until
(1100m).

SIMPL2

The system to simulate include a network of gas pipeline of 750 Km with 200 nodes includes.
(02) Source point
(02) Compression stations
(01) Pressure regulators and reducers.
(01) Underground tank
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3. Importance of Simulations in non-Stationary Modes

The development of network simulators [2-3] is related to increasing the progress of the
computing science and its power. The use of model makes it possible, by simulation, to reach the
following objectives:

- To get closer to reality.

- To better manage the transport capacity of the already existing network.
- To better manage gas supply sources of various points of the network.
- To better manage the work of the compression stations.
- To maintain in each critical situation of exploitation, in case of incident, gas supply of the
maximum of customers.

3.1. Transient Analysis

The principal advantage of this analysis is prediction, to operate and detect any operation
problem which could arise [3-4].A complete transient analysis is carried out starting from the
condition of design going back to the year of the first operation. The performance of the
compression stations assigned from the analysis of the stationary state is controlled for each year
of operation for the considered scenarios, but now by considering the distribution profiles, in
some cases we noticed that the allocation of the station by the stationary state has to be changed
to match the transient scenario. This analysis was extremely important will be also useful during
the negotiations of the various contracts, which starts a provision unit for the critical cases. The
transient analysis a better process of maintenance, or even to detect the need for for the project
because we would see better in advance the need for capital investment to guarantee transport or
to purchase contracts without risk in the future, as well as the definition of the cost of transport
involved in the scenarios.

Important assumptions that one must make before any simulation are

 What is the transient event that one studies?

 What is the logical starting point of simulation?
 At which point the system to be described must be detailed?
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L3 = 30.391 L74 = 38.746

St at ion de  =0.313
48

St at ion de 63  =0.313 48
75
L79 = 20.49
Compression N° 2 62 64  =0.107
Compression N° 2 L 73 L 74

L79
Monvar

3
46 49
Monvar 44
78 84
75 50

6
8B 61 VS1 VS2 64A

2
60
60B L67= 16.70

L71A
43
L 77 L 76 L 75 45
75
L71 = 28.296

L 80
L70 41  =0.203 L3 = 35.99
 =0.159
45 66A 66 65
79
65

1
51 62A  =0.159
L65 = 26.43 L62= 16.00

L 72
49 59 40A

67A
60A L77 = 36.114 L75 = 36.827
 =0.203  =0.131 46 45
44

L 41
75

L 71
 =0.159  =0.159

L
L 69 L 58
40
39 38 VC1 47
L 68 L 67 L 66 L 65 L 64 L 63 L 62 33 35
58A 58 59A 59 58 57 56 55 L 59 L 60
54 45 Ant enne 5

3
35
48 49 50 69
Ant enne 5

Compression
42

Nord
32 L59 = 93.146 L60 = 9.056 MONVAR 2
L1 = 18.542 L2= 12.116 L3 = 42.667 L5 = 25.701,315 L 79  =0.211  =0.211 MONVAR 2
 =0.389 15 Noeuds
SOURCE  =0.389 2  =0.389 3  =0.389 93 92 91 24
90 89 15 Noeuds
L6 L 84 07 Client s
2 3 4 5 L 87 L 86 L 91 07 Client s

3
3A
L1 L2 L5
Ant enne 2

L1
L87= 12.121 L92= 93.146
1 102-103
8 8A 81 Ant enne 2
 =0.389  =0.211 LIAVAR 2

L
1 1 L 13 U4

99
VU1 VU2 LIAVAR 2

A
27Noeuds

Compression
L 99 L 98 L 95 L 92

7
27Noeuds

Sud
L

1
75 76 77 78 26
84
L 12 L 11 L9 L8 199
65 12Client s
13 12 11 10 76 77 89 12Client s
L8 = 45.940

L12 = 18.491
7 6 5 4

L9
L23 = 19.420 L24 = 20.474 L25 = 32,00

L11 = 42.743
101A 91A
 =0.494

 =0.494
21  =0.131 22  =0.131 23  =0.210

 =0.590

 =0.590
16 24 25 20

4
= 11.87
18
L 23 17 L 24 103A L 25 L 26

7
67 L 3

L2
L 35

2
8C 1
Ant enne 1 St at ion de
Ant enne 1 St at ion de L 32 L 33 L 34 L 35
LUSVAR 2 29 30 34

1
LUSVAR 2 Compression N° 3 31
31
13 Nœuds Compression N° 3 L32 = 16.78 21 L34 = 11.70 L36 = 11.70 89

13 Nœuds En PROJET  =0.107  =0.107

07 Client s En PROJET  =0.107
07 Client s 40
L 40 L 39
36
L 37
35 Ant enne 4
37 Ant enne 4
26 23 PERVAR 2
24
PERVAR 2
Ant enne 3 24 Noeuds
Ant enne 3 L42= 11.811 24 Noeuds
GREVAR 2 St at ion de  =0.313
14 Client s
GREVAR 2 St at ion de 14 Client s
Compression N° 1
14Nœuds
14Nœuds
11Client s
Compression N° 1
PERVAR RESEAUSIMPL2
RESEAU SIMPL2 27 44 45
11Client s PERVAR SIMPLIFIERAU AURISQUE
RISQUE2% 2% 28

SIMPLIFIER L45 = 11.045

100Nœuds
100 Nœuds(93(93Réels
Réels++77Fictifs)
Fictifs)  =0.209

5151Clients
Clients

Figure 1 Simulated network SIMPL 1

Figure 2 Simulated network SIMPL 1 by SIMONE

4. Case of Model Exploitation

4.1. Behaviour and Possibilities of a Network

To calculate the pressure losses in gas transport network, one uses more often valid simple
formulas only in the case of permanent flow mode. Thus, these formulas cannot take into
consideration of modes variations caused by the starting or the stop of compressors, closing or
the opening of valves or, more simply, by the modulations of consumption at the stations of
delivery. Modeling, of the network systems of very complex gas SIMPL 1,2 of configuration in
dynamic mode carried out with dynamic simulators (SIMONE 5.53 and TGNet 5.3 )
Curves below present:
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4 .Permanent flow (3D)

5 .Variable flow (3D)
6 .Transient flow (3D)

Figure 3 Simulated network SIMPL 2 by Simone Figure 4 Permanent Flow 3D

Figure 5 Non-permanent flow 3D (variable) Figure 6 Transient flow 3D (Starting of compressor)

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Figure 7 Measured and calculated pressures by TGnet Figure 8 pipe storage capacity by Tgnet

5. Network Analysis – Check of Validity

5.1. Comparison of the Measured and Computed Values

Simulation in its various forms of the network behaviour allows the study of the flows and
pressures evolution in sections. In fact, the network known as "real", limits the code possibilities
for a fine description which comprises only a maximum of 100 nodes. We have therefore, on the
one hand simplified the network with a maximum of 100 nodes called SIMPL2 (simplified with
the risk 2 %) on the known as "real", limits the code possibilities for a fine description which
comprises only a maximum of 100 nodes. We have therefore, on the one hand simplified the
network with a maximum of 100 nodes called SIMPL2 (simplified with the risk 2 %) on the other
hand treated, sub-networks of real configuration.

Curves of Figure 7 give the variations of measured and computed pressures.

The observed distortions can result:
- Of an insufficient description of the network,
- Of an insufficient description of the scenario
- Of a bad distribution of consumption during the day (over-estimated compared to reality)
- Errors of measurement.

These results show an analysis of the sub-networks, the network and as far as one knows with a
good precision the various parameters of study (i.e. the fine description of the network, lengths,
diameters, roughnesses and variations of constraints such as consumption and the pressures), the
model gives very satisfactory results.
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5.2. A Pipeline Storage Capacity Analysis

Various treated cases enable us to simulate the behaviour of one pipeline working like a gas
reserve and to deduce the role it plays in the lowering of peak demand. Curves of figure 8 give
the noted variations of gas volume contained n the pipeline, flows evolution from the source and
at the customer level. This pipeline supplies only an important point of delivery, therefore its use
as a reserve must give at the end of the day a nil balance of the assessment variations of volume.
Otherwise a positive balance will correspond to the increase of reserve in the pipeline and a
negative balance to its reduction.
Figure 8 puts in a prominent position the participation of the pipeline reserve in the lowering of
diurnal peaks of consumption.

6. Transported gas analysis

Simulation under various hypotheses of the network behaviour allows the study of a section
evolution transits. In the present case, we have chosen the sub-network called “Feeder 5”
installed next to the compression station. It is preferable to have a minimum of equipment to
provide needed pressures and speed flows since this would decrease the construction and
maintenance costs. However, there exist many situations where variable flow effects show a use
of equipment different from those of the stationary regime. n this case, to show variable flow
effects, let’s consider a single pipeline system of 102 km, 159 and 313 mm of internal diameter in
series. A regulator is placed at the end of this line that gives a constant output pressure of 25 bar.

Figure 9 Loops
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Let’s consider a stationary regime: Pressures and speed flows do not change with time. Let’s see
now various developments and alternatives that could improve pressure and speed flow
conditions, then study each alternative relying on the fact that the regime is not stationary but
actually transient.

Stationary regime conditions : The demand predictions reveals that maximum estimated demand
at delivery is 807 km3/day (34 km3/h) considering that this is the worst case conditions, the
stationary regime analysis shows that the predicted delivery pressure is 24 bars. To increase the
delivery pressure, some loop cases are considered.

Stationary Regime Loop: A mesh of 76 km with a pipe of 159 mm equivalent diameter is

suggested. The question is : Would the mesh be placed down or up stream of the system ?

The calculations result show that in both the delivery pressure is about 26 bars, taking into
consideration that the speed flow of 807 km3/day remains constant. Knowing that the highest
pressures are downstream the pipe, the mesh is placed for the aim of keeping the system reserve
of gas at its utmost. To sum up, for a maximum hourly demand of 34 km3/h, a stationary regime
hypotheses show that a mesh of 76 km, 159 mm diameter placed downstream is needed to ensure
a quite good delivery pressure at a minimum of 36 bars.

Figure 10 Pressure evolution without compression

Transient Analysis

To perform a transient analysis of a system, it is necessary to assess the variable-like nature of the
demands in time. A clear definition of the profile demand is a very important aspect in a transient
analysis. Figures 11 the resulting pressure profile for a mesh installed at down and up stream
These analyses indicates something of a great importance. The stationary regime hypothesis
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stating that a downstream mesh is more beneficial for delivery pressures proved to be false. Still,
it is true that downstream mesh increases the total gas reserve. It becomes clear then that the
system is unable to transport the gas up to the delivery point if need be. When we put the mesh
closer to the upstream end of the pipe, there follows a reduction of gas reserve but also a higher
delivery pressure. The need to study the transport capacity of an existing pipe generally known as
“Gas Reserve Management” is required. This study shows the differences between stationary
and variable regime analysis.
Whereas the stationary regime shows that a loop is required, the transient analysis shows that the
system can sometimes work without any new equipment or installations help. Even if a loop is
installed, It remains uncertain that the pressure increase justifies a new installation cost.

7. Conclusion

This article, based on real and deepened scenarios pipeline, has as a principal objective to stress
the advantages to use transient simulation. Not only like tool but also to highlight its utility in at
the stage of design of the gas pipeline.
Dynamic simulators available at the present time are not oriented towards optimization [5, 6, and 7]
logic. The simulation techniques allows only to compare alternatives and for this reason to
choose the best among which are envisaged. However, efficiency of a complex system, such as
an important network of gas pipelines, can depend on hundreds of factors. Modification of a
parameter involves that of the others. This can lead, if one would examine all possibilities
successively, with a sorting which would require a machine time exceeding the limits of the
possible one. It is the principal obstacle of simulation as an optimization instrument of complex
systems. In this context, the simulator can be assimilated to an experimentation stand making it
possible to test a subset of alternatives and to choose the best combination belonging to this
subset.

References

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