Patent ID: 7178351
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling gas cooling in a gas pipeline having a heat exchanger at a compressor station, the method comprising the steps of: A) obtaining observations of parameters that are characteristic of gas flow through the compressor station under a set of operating conditions having a corresponding energy cost, the observations comprising gas temperature at the inlet of the heat exchanger, gas temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger, ambient air temperature and pressure, gas pressure at the inlet of the heat exchanger, gas pressure loss across the heat exchanger, estimated gas flow rate through the heat exchanger and periodic estimated gas flow through the heat exchanger bypass valve, and compressor station; B) from the observations of step A, determining a balance between gas cooling and heat exchanger gas pressure loss that results in an improvement of energy savings by comparison with the energy cost of the set of operating conditions; and C) operating a bypass valve on the gas pipeline to divert an amount of gas into the heat exchanger that achieves the balance determined in step B.