Back to results
US 12,486,952 B2Granted
Systems and methods for optimization of a petroleum distribution system
AssigneeSensia LLC
InventorRoss Allen Otto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for optimizing a pipeline includes determining a mode of optimization and operation for the pipeline. The method also includes obtaining an objective function quantifying a performance variable as a function of one or more control decisions of the pipeline over a future time horizon. The method includes optimizing the objective function subject to one or more constraints to determine control decisions for the pipeline that result in an optimal value of the performance variable. The method includes operating equipment of the pipeline according to the control decisions.
Claims16
A method for optimizing a pipeline comprising:
- determining a mode of optimization and operation for the pipeline from a plurality of modes of optimization and operation;
- obtaining an objective function quantifying a performance variable as a function of one or more control decisions of the pipeline over a future time horizon;
- optimizing the objective function subject to one or more constraints to determine control decisions for a plurality of pump stations of the pipeline at a plurality of geographical locations along the pipeline that result in an optimal value of the performance variable, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises using a model that predicts a movement of slugs of product through the pipeline to determine the control decisions comprising both (1) setpoints for pumps or compressors of each of the plurality of pump stations, and (2) an amount of a drag reducing agent (DRA) to add to the pipeline upstream or downstream of each of the plurality of pump stations for a type of the product such that the performance variable results in the optimal value;
- and
- operating the pumps or the compressors and injectors of the pipeline to deliver the product through the pipeline according to the control decisions;
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation comprise a throughput mode of optimization and operation in which the performance variable of the objective function is a delivered amount of product and the objective function is a delivery objective function, where optimizing the delivery objective function results in a determination of the control decisions that result in a maximum value of delivered amount of product over the future time horizon,
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation further comprises at least one of:
- an emissions or energy consumption mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is energy consumption and the objective function comprises an energy objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the performance variable over the future time horizon;
- and
- a monetary cost mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is monetary cost and the objective function comprises a cost objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the monetary cost over the future time horizon, and
- wherein the control decisions in the throughput mode are different from the control decisions in the emissions or energy consumption mode or the monetary cost mode.
8 more elements
A pipeline comprising:
- a plurality of pipeline stations, each pipeline station comprising at least one pump or compressor;
- a pipe connecting the plurality of pipeline stations;
- and
- a controller configured to operate in a plurality of modes of optimization and operation, the controller configured to:
- determine a mode of optimization and operation for the pipeline from the plurality of modes of optimization and operation;
- obtain an objective function quantifying a performance variable as a function of one or more control decisions of the pipeline over a future time horizon;
- optimize the objective function subject to one or more constraints to determine control decisions for the plurality of pipeline stations of the pipeline at a plurality of geographical locations along the pipeline that result in an optimal value of the performance variable, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises using a model that predicts a movement of slugs of product through the pipeline to determine the control decisions comprising both (1) setpoints for pumps or compressors of each of the plurality of pipeline stations, and (2) an amount of a drag reducing agent (DRA) to add to the pipeline upstream or downstream of each of the plurality of pipeline stations for a type of the product such that the performance variable results in the optimal value;
- and
- operate the pump or compressor and injectors of the pipeline to deliver the product through the pipeline according to the control decisions;
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation comprise a throughput mode of optimization and operation in which the performance variable of the objective function is a delivered amount of product and the objective function is a delivery objective function, wherein optimizing the delivery objective function results in a determination of the control decisions that result in a maximum value of delivered amount of product over the future time horizon,
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation further comprises at least one of:
- an emissions or energy consumption mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is energy consumption and the objective function comprises an energy objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the performance variable over the future time horizon;
- and
- a monetary cost mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is monetary cost and the objective function comprises a cost objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the monetary cost over the future time horizon, and
- wherein the control decisions in the throughput mode are different from the control decisions in the emissions or energy consumption mode or the monetary cost mode.
12 more elements
A controller for optimizing a pipeline, the controller configured to:
- determine a mode of optimization and operation for the pipeline from a plurality of modes of optimization and operation;
- obtain an objective function quantifying a performance variable as a function of one or more control decisions for a plurality of pump stations of the pipeline at a plurality of geographical locations along the pipeline that result in an optimal value of the performance variable over a future time horizon, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises using a model that predicts movement of slugs of product through the pipeline to determine control decisions comprising both (1) setpoints for pumps or compressors of each of the plurality of pump stations, and (2) an amount of a drag reducing agent (DRA) to add to the pipeline upstream or downstream of each of the plurality of pump stations for a type of the product such that the performance variable results in the optimal value;
- optimize the objective function subject to one or more constraints to determine the control decisions for the pipeline that result in the optimal value of the performance variable;
- and
- operate the pumps or the compressors and injectors of the pipeline to deliver the product through the pipeline according to the control decisions;
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation comprise a throughput mode of optimization and operation in which the performance variable of the objective function is a delivered amount of product and the objective function comprises a delivery objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function results in a determination of the control decisions that result in a maximum value of delivered amount of product over the future time horizon,
- wherein the plurality of modes of optimization and operation further comprises at least one of:
- an emissions or energy consumption mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is energy consumption and the objective function comprises an energy objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the performance variable over the future time horizon;
- and
- a monetary cost mode, in which the performance variable of the objective function is monetary cost and the objective function comprises a cost objective function, wherein optimizing the objective function comprises minimizing the objective function to determine the control decisions that result in a minimum value of the monetary cost over the future time horizon, and
- wherein the control decisions in the throughput mode are different from the control decisions in the emissions or energy consumption mode or the monetary cost mode.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.