FLUID TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a fluid transmission control system is arranged to control the transmission of fluid through a fluid transmission network. The fluid transmission network comprising a first pipeline having a first end connectable to the output of a fluid processing plant, which is associated with a first fluid source. The fluid transmission network also comprises a second pipeline having a first end connectable to a second fluid source and a second end connectable to the first pipeline at a junction with a second end of the first pipeline. The control system comprises measurement means for measuring one or more characteristics of fluid output at the second fluid source, prediction means for predicting future characteristics of the fluid based on the measured characteristics, said characteristics corresponding to a future time at which the fluid flows through the second end of the second pipeline, and adjustment determining means arranged to receive data regarding said predicted characteristics of the fluid. The adjustment determining means are further arranged to identify an adjustment to the processing of fluid at the fluid processing plant to account for the predicted characteristics. The control system also comprises control means arranged to control the fluid processing plant in accordance with the identified adjustment. A corresponding method of controlling fluid transmission through the fluid transmission network is also provided. Fluctuations or insufficiencies in gas characteristics with respect to a predetermined specification can be predicted and the characteristics can be adjusted accordingly, in order to pre-empt and thus avoid or minimise problems that currently occur upon the delivery of gas having characteristics outside an acceptable range, or which vary over time, to users.