Pipeline flow modelling

摘要

A method of modelling a segment of a pipeline transporting a product, such as hydrocarbons, comprising defining within the segment a plurality of discrete cells, each disposed between knots, preparing a system of equations relating the conservations of mass, momentum and energy for each cell along with equations for the liquid phase flow area of cells with tight, slack and minimum area flow modes, providing data relating to the product and the location and elevation of the cells, sensing a plurality of conditions within known cells, solving the system of equations, initiating a re-stepping process by re-assessing the flow modes of each cell and re-setting flow modes for cells with unstable flow modes, and re­solving the system of equations using stable flow modes. An embodiment of the method includes excepting one or more cells from the re-stepping portion where a recurrent pattern of flow mode change is detected. A further method of modelling the flow of a volatile product through a pipeline includes predicting a product condition at a further location based upon a model of the flow at a first location based on sensed conditions, sensing a further condition of the product at the further location with further sensors, and comparing a difference between the sensed condition and the modelled condition.