Classical solutions and feedback stabilization for the gas flow in a sequence of pipes

Abstract

We consider the subcritical flow in gas networks consisting of a finite linear sequence of pipes coupled by compressor stations. Such networks are important for the transportation of natural gas over large distances to ensure sustained gas supply. We analyse the system dynamics in terms of Riemann invariants and study stationary solutions as well as classical non-stationary solutions for a given finite time interval. Furthermore, we construct feedback laws to stabilize the system locally around a given stationary state. To do so we use a Lyapunov function and prove exponential decay with respect to the L2-norm. © American Institute of Mathematical Sciences.