Some Applications of Transient Flow Simulation To Promote Understanding the Performance of Gas Pipeline Systems

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Abstract
A recently developed model of gas transmission in the transient state wasapplied to provide insight into the process. A simple two-pipe transmissionsystem with a compressor station was modeled to reveal the consequences ofcompressor upset. The resulting disturbances produce oscillatory response akinto that in an organ pipe. Such disturbances propagate over long distances intransmission lines, and the propagated wave form depends upon accuratelyspecifying as data the time scale upon which the disturbance is generated. Introduction Steady flow in piping systems is a simple process with few surprises forthose who deal with it quantitatively. Since, moreover, optimization of boththe design and operation of steady-flow pipeline systems is a tractableproblem, usually with well defined solutions, steady state has tended to becomethe goal of the industry, and certainly to be the framework for any intuitiveconsideration of pipeline response. By contrast, although considerable effort has been devoted to itssimulation, the transient state often tends to be largely ignored inquantitative design considerations, and if discussed at all is often discussedin the framework of a "succession of steady states." But real pipelinesrarely attain the goal of steady state, being repeatedly upset by changes indemand, loss or addition of equipment, addition of supply, and the like. Thetransient situation in pipe line systems is often rich in surprises and, thus, often somewhat misunderstood. It is the purpose of this paper to apply thetransient model presented in a companion paper to a few situations in whichtransient states are important, and by so doing to study the consequences oftransients and thereby promote understanding of the underlying process.

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