Generalization of methods for calculating steady‐state flow distribution in pipeline networks for non‐conventional flow models

Abstract

This paper proposes generalized models and methods for calculating flow distribution in hydraulic circuits with lumped parameters. The main models of the isothermal steady‐state flow of medium are classified by an element of the hydraulic circuit. These models include conventional, implicitly specified by flow rate, and pressure‐dependent ones. The conditions for their applicabil-ity, which ensure the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the flow distribution problem, are considered. We propose generalized nodal pressure and loop flow rate methods, which can be applied regardless of the forms of specific element models. Final algorithms, which require lower computational costs versus the known approaches designed for non‐conventional flow models, are sub-stantiated. Proposed models, methods, algorithms, and their capabilities, are analytically and nu-merically illustrated by an example of a fragment of gas transmission network with compressor stations.