Steady-state optimization operation of the west–east gas pipeline

Abstract

A pipeline operation optimization model with minimum energy consumption as the objective function was established based on the dynamic programming method. The model was applied to a 3840 km gas pipeline whose designed pipeline capacity was 170 × 108 t/a. There were 40 stations in the line, including 22 compressor stations and 32 compressors. The solution time was controlled within 60 s to show that the algorithm was fast and effective. The number of starting-up compressors in the optimized scheme is two more than that in the actual operation scheme, and the total pressure drop of the pipeline decreased by 3.40 MPa, the average efficiency of the gas turbine units increased by 4.234%, the average efficiency of the electric drive units increased by 4.875%, and the power decreased by 18,720.38 kW, confirming the validity and feasibility of the optimization model.