Analogical Approach for Optimizing Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Network System

The increase in demand for natural gas in different sectors attracted different scholars in
optimizing the operation and configurations of natural gas pipeline network (NGPN) systems. Even
though there have been reports regarding the attempts of solutions for optimizing NGPN problems,
the issues of NGPN regarding energy minimizations are not fully address yet. This paper proposed
robust solution for NGPN system energy consumption minimization at compressor stations based on
analogical approach. The analogies between NGPN system and inventory model were observed and
applied in the analysis of steady state NGPN system. The proposed technique is based on the
inventory model to find optimal operations for natural gas pipeline network system. The method for
the determination of the optimal pressures was efficient and handled the non-linearity that occurs on
both objective and the constraint equations. Results on a gunbarrel NGPN showed the proposed
method assisted in determining the discharge and suction pressures to minimized energy consumption
at compressor stations.