Rule‐Based Design of Layout of Rural Natural Gas Networks

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Abstract
Previous models for computer‐based design of rural natural gas networks produced layouts that were not totally consistent with objectives derived from field experience, namely “eliminate parallel piping,” “branch as early as possible,” and “eliminate elbows.” In the present paper a rule‐based approach is used to identify deviation from these objectives and to apply the appropriate corrective measures. The control strategy that drives the rule base is designed to resolve conflicts between the rules to ensure that the modifications made generate the maximum improvements in terms of network cost and general form of the layout. The conflict resolution is achieved by priority measures that reflect the relative importance of each of the “field based” objectives. The rule‐base and control strategy together form the cognitive component of the approach. The approach is integrated with an earlier procedural‐based method that provides the initial solutions for the cognitive component to improve. Application of the approach to an example network shows that it generates results superior to those generated by previous models for layout design of these networks.

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