# US 12,760,847 B2 · Method and system for optimizing pipeline operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,847 B2 - Document ID: US12760847B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/187,794 - Filed: 2023-03-22 - Published: 2023-09-28 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-03-24 - Assignees: Venturi Engineering Solutions Inc. - Applicants: Venturi Engineering Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Anthony Chan; Jordon French - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760847B2 ## CPC - F17D 3/01: for controlling, signalling, or supervising the conveyance of a product - F17D 1/17: by mixing with another liquid {, i.e. diluting} - G05B 13/048: {using a predictor} - F17D: PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract Methods and systems for optimizing pipeline operation are disclosed, including an operating system for optimizing a pipeline objective for a pipeline system comprising a plurality of pipeline sections, the operating system comprising a controller configured to: (i) generate a current state of at least one section of the pipeline, the current state comprising the measured state of at least one pipeline object and at least one fluid object; (ii) generate a line fill; (iii) generate a predicted future state of the at least one section of the pipeline from the line fill, and a schedule of planned additions of fluids and planned flow rates; (iv) generate an optimized future state of the at least one section of the pipeline with an optimization function; and (v) determine one or more setpoints to implement the optimized future state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operating system for optimizing a pipeline objective for a pipeline system comprising a plurality of pipeline sections, the operating system comprising at least one controller configured to: (a) generate a current state of at least one section of the pipeline, the current state comprising the measured state of at least one pipeline object and at least one fluid object; (b) generate a line fill comprising a sequential order and volume of fluids present in the pipeline; (c) generate a predicted future state of the at least one section of the pipeline from the line fill, and a schedule of planned additions of fluids and planned flow rates; (d) generate an optimized future state of the at least one section of the pipeline with an optimization function; (e) determine one or more setpoints to implement the optimized future state; and (f) implement the setpoints by controlling one or more pipeline actuators. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operating system of claim 1, wherein the optimization function comprises at least one of a cost minimization function, an emissions minimization function, and/or an energy/resource usage minimization function. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the pipeline objective is cost minimization and the cost minimization function comprises cost of (a) energy, (b) risk, (c) safety, reliability and/or efficiency measures, (d) customer satisfaction and/or (e) carbon emission intensity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein cost of energy is the same or different for different pipeline sections, and cost minimization is optimized for each pipeline section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the measured state comprises measured pipeline data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the measured pipeline data comprises one or more of temperature, density, viscosity, pressure, flow rate, and/or drag reducing agent injection rate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the setpoints comprise an optimized setting for one or more pipeline actuators. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the optimized setting for the one or more pipeline actuators includes one or more of pressure setpoints, pump statuses, variable frequency drive (VFD) speeds and states, and drag reducing agent (DRA) injection rates. ### Claim 9 A method of optimizing a pipeline objective for a pipeline system comprising a plurality of pipeline sections, comprising: (a) generating a current state of at least one section of the pipeline, the current state comprising the measured state of at least one pipeline object and at least one fluid object; (b) generating a line fill comprising a sequential order and volume of fluids present in the pipeline; (c) generating a predicted future state of the at least one section of the pipeline from the line fill, and a schedule of planned fluids and planned flow rates; (d) generate an optimized future state of the at least one section of the pipeline with an optimization function; (e) providing setpoints for the pipeline to implement the optimized future state; and (f) implementing the setpoints to realize the optimized future state, herein the implementing comprises controlling one or more pipeline actuators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the optimization function comprises at least one of a cost minimization function, an emissions minimization function, and/or an energy/resource usage minimization function. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the pipeline objective is cost minimization and the cost minimization function comprises cost of (a) energy, (b) risk, (c) safety, reliability and/or efficiency measures, (d) customer satisfaction and/or (e) carbon emission intensity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein cost of energy is the same or different for different pipeline sections, and cost minimization is optimized for each pipeline section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the measured state comprises measured pipeline data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the measured pipeline data comprises one or more of temperature, density, viscosity, pressure, flow rate, and/or drag reducing agent injection rate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the setpoints comprise an optimized setting for one or more pipeline actuators. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the optimized setting for the one or more pipeline actuators includes one or more of pressure setpoints, pump statuses, variable frequency drive (VFD) speeds and states, and drag reducing agent (DRA) injection rates. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller comprises an automated pipeline operator or a control system that implements the setpoints. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the method is performed by at least one controller. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one controller comprises an automated pipeline operator or a control system that implements the setpoints.