Petroleum Pipeline Closed-Loop Control for Phase and Throughput Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing petroleum pipeline systems face inefficiencies in optimizing energy consumption, emissions, and throughput, lacking effective control systems to manage fluid phases and prevent pipeline fractures while handling diverse petroleum products.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop control system with a controller that utilizes sensors to monitor fluid conditions and adjust operations of pipeline elements, employing models to maintain desired fluid phases and prevent hydrate formation, optimizing energy consumption, emissions, and throughput through real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a closed-loop control system is implemented to optimize pipeline operations, then energy consumption and throughput are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop control system that continuously monitors pipeline operations using sensors and adjusts control decisions based on feedback from the system state. The controller receives measurements from sensors, compares them against desired performance targets, and automatically adjusts operational parameters to optimize throughput and energy consumption while maintaining safety constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization system operates autonomously by automatically generating control decisions based on real-time sensor data and pre-defined objective functions. The controller self-adjusts operational parameters without requiring continuous human intervention, performing self-optimization of pipeline operations while adhering to safety and operational constraints.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and control adjustments are implemented, then pipeline safety and operational efficiency are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters in real-time based on changing pipeline conditions, sensor measurements, and current system state. Rather than maintaining fixed conservative settings, the system adapts control decisions to match actual operating conditions, optimizing the balance between safety monitoring intensity and energy consumption at different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as pump speeds, valve positions, and flow rates based on real-time optimization calculations. By dynamically adjusting these parameters to match actual pipeline conditions and需求的, the system maintains safety and efficiency while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would result from static, overly conservative parameter settings.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and monitoring devices are deployed to manage fluid phases and prevent hydrate formation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to handle multiple functions using a unified controller platform that manages fluid phase monitoring, hydrate formation prevention, and operational optimization through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one coordinated controller, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for optimizing a pipeline includes determining a mode of optimization and operation for the pipeline. The method also includes obtaining an objective function quantifying a performance variable as a function of one or more control decisions of the pipeline over a future time horizon. The method includes optimizing the objective function subject to one or more constraints to determine control decisions for the pipeline that result in an optimal value of the performance variable. The method includes operating equipment of the pipeline according to the control decisions.