Abstract:
An interface is provided for a modeling application that determines required current required to deliver a target heat in a direct electrical heating system. The interface facilitates the input of input values implemented by the modeling application without requiring the configuration of an entire model. A technique for determining adjustments to required current between computational iterations reduces the number of iterations needed to converge on a solution

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates to enhancing an interface to a modeling application that determines required current required to deliver a target heat in a direct electrical heating system, and/or relates to determining adjustments to required current between computational iterations in order to reduce the number of iterations needed to converge on a solution. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Direct electrical heating systems are used in pipelines carrying petrochemicals to inhibit the formation of hydrates in the pipeline that could clog a pipeline, leading to various complications. Direct electrical heating systems are complex electrical systems that require costly computation in order to determine parameters that will enable a sufficient heat to be delivered to a given pipeline. Such parameters include an ac current to be generated through the direct electrical heating system to provide sufficient heat. Conventional design approaches leverage known computational and/or modeling applications, but are also costly in terms of man hours in setting up the requisite calculations. Further, conventional approaches tend to not search for enhanced adjustments to inputs to the calculation (like a proposed ac current) to reduce the number of calculations required to converge on a solution. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured to facilitate design of a direct electric heating system for a subsea pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The system comprises one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may include one or more of an input reception module, an input communication module, an output presentation module, and/or other modules. The input reception module is configured to define an input graphical user interface configured to receive entry and/or selection of input values for a target heat to be generated by the direct electric heating system and for a set of heating system parameters that define various aspects of the direct electric heating system including a pipeline through which petrochemicals are flown and cables used for direct electric heating within the pipeline. The input communication module is configured to pass input values received through the input graphical user interface to a modeling application that implements the input values in a finite element analysis to determine an output value for required current through the direct electric system required to attain the target heat. The output communication module is configured to receive output values from the modeling application for required current through the direct electric system required to attain the target heat and for electrical parameters of the direct electric heating system operating at the target heat. The output presentation module is configured to define an output graphical user interface configured to present one or more of the output values received from the modeling application to the user. 
         [0004]    Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of facilitating design of a direct electric heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The method comprises defining an input graphical user interface configured to receive entry and/or selection of input values for a target heat to be generated by the direct electric heating system and for a set of heating system parameters that define various aspects of the direct electric heating system including a pipeline through which petrochemicals are flown and cables used for direct electric heating within the pipeline; passing input values received through the input graphical user interface to a modeling application that implements the input values in a finite element analysis to determine an output value for required current through the direct electric system required to attain the target heat; receiving output values from the modeling application for required current through the direct electric system required to attain the target heat and for electrical parameters of the direct electric heating system operating at the target heat; and defining an output graphical user interface configured to present one or more of the output values received from the modeling application to the user. 
         [0005]    Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured to facilitate design of a direct electric heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The system comprises one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules comprise an input data module, a required current setting module, a heat determination module, a heat calculation assessment module, a required current adjustment module, and/or other modules. The input data module is configured to obtain a target heat to be generated by the direct electric heating system and values for a set of heating system parameters that define various aspects of the direct electric heating system including a pipeline through which petrochemicals are flown and cables used for direct electric heating within the pipeline. The required current setting module is configured to specify a proposed required current through the direct electric heating system. The heat determination module is configured to implement finite element analysis to determine actual heat provided by the direct electric heating system at the proposed required current based on the obtained values for the set of heating system parameters. The heat calculation assessment module is configured to assess the determination of the actual heat at the proposed required current by determining whether a difference between the actual heat and the target heat is less than a threshold difference. The required current adjustment module is configured such that responsive to the heat calculation assessment module determining that the difference between the actual heat and the target heat is not less than the threshold difference, the required current adjustment module is configured to determine a required current adjustment to the proposed required current as a function of a ratio of the target heat and the actual heat at the proposed required current. The required current setting module is further configured such that responsive to the required current adjustment module determining a required current adjustment, the required current setting module offsets the proposed required current by the required current adjustment for another iteration of the determination and assessment of actual heat by the heat determination module and the heat calculation adjustment module. 
         [0006]    Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of facilitating design of a direct electric heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The method comprises obtaining a target heat to be generated by the direct electric heating system and values for a set of heating system parameters that define various aspects of the direct electric heating system including a pipeline through which petrochemicals are flown and cables used for direct electric heating within the pipeline; specifying a proposed required current through the direct electric heating system; implementing finite element analysis to determine actual heat provided by the direct electric heating system at the proposed required current based on the obtained values for the set of heating system parameters; and assessing the determination of the actual heat at the proposed required current by determining whether a difference between the actual heat and the target heat is less than a threshold difference; responsive to determining that the difference between the actual heat and the target heat is not less than the threshold difference, determining a required current adjustment to the proposed required current as a function of a ratio of the target heat and the actual heat at the proposed required current; and responsive to determining a required current adjustment, offsetting the proposed required current by the required current adjustment for another iteration of the determination and assessment of actual heat. 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the system and/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pipeline carrying petrochemicals and a system for providing direct electrical heating. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system configured to facilitate the design of a direct electrical heating system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a view of an input graphical user interface. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a view of an output graphical user interface. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system configured to facilitate the design of a direct electrical heating system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method of facilitating the design of a direct electrical heating system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method of facilitating the design of a direct electrical heating system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pipeline  10  to be used to carry petrochemicals that have been from the Earth. For example, pipeline  10  may form, in whole or in part, a tie back from a subea well to another facility at which the petrochemicals will be stored and/or processed. Pipeline  10  is submerged in water. 
         [0016]    In the reservoir prior to extraction, petrochemicals are referred to herein as “crude,” which is typically under pressure and at relatively high temperatures. As the crude flows from the well it was extracted from through pipeline  10 , the seawater in which pipeline  10  is submerged tends to cool the crude. At times, the flow of the crude may be slowed or even temporarily halted, which may further reduce the temperature of the crude in pipeline  10 . The cooling crude in pipeline  10  may cause the formation of hydrates or wax in pipeline  10  that can plug pipeline  10  and/or cause other issues. 
         [0017]    One way to prevent or mitigate the potential for hydrate formation is to apply heat to the crude in pipeline  10 . One technique for applying heat is called direct electrical heating. In this technique, an ac current is forced to run through pipeline  10 , and pipeline  10  itself acts as the heating element. The potential is applied through a first cable  16  and a second cable  18  that are terminated to pipeline  10  at opposite ends. As is shown in  FIG. 1 , second cable  18  may be piggybacked to pipeline  10 . A potential source  20  coupled to first cable  16  and second cable  18 , and applies a potential that induces an AC current in pipeline  10 . For corrosion resistance purposes pipeline  10  is grounded to the water. Although this system seems simple at first blush, it is actually a complex electrical system that is impacted by the impedance of pipeline  10 , the water, and the cable. In the end, pipeline  10  conducts much of the current induced by the potential applied to first cable  16  and second cable  18 , which generates heat that inhibits or mitigates the formation of hydrates and wax in the crude contained therein. Because of the complex nature of this electrical system, a powerful modeling application is typically required to determine a required current to be delivered through first cable  16  and second cable  18  in order to provide a specified target heat per unit length. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system  30  configured to facilitate design of a direct electrical heating system (e.g., such as the one shown in  FIG. 1  and described herein) for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. System  30  provides an intuitive interface for a user designing a direct electrical heating system. The interface provides the analytical and processing power of a modeling application with an interface that is relatively intuitive to engineers designing the direct electrical heating system. This may enhance the accuracy of the results, may reduce the cost (e.g., in terms of man hours) in generating the design, and/or provide other enhancements. System  30  may include one or more of one or more processors  32 , a user interface  34 , electronic storage  36 , and/or other components. 
         [0019]    Processor  32  is configured to provide information processing within system  30 . Processor  32  is configured to execute one or more computer modules. The computer modules may include one or more of an input reception module  38 , an input communication module  40 , an output communication module  42 , an output presentation module  44 , an operating parameters module  46 , and/or other modules. 
         [0020]    Input reception module  38  is configured to define an input graphical user interface for presentation to a user (e.g., via user interface  34 ). The input graphical user interface is configured to receive entry and/or selection of input values for a target heat (e.g., per unit length) to be generated by the direct electrical heating system being designed, for heating system parameters that define various aspects of the direct electrical heating system, and/or other information. The aspects of the direct electrical heating system defined by the heating system parameters may include, for example, one or more aspects of the pipeline through which petrochemicals are guided, one or more cables used to perform direct electrical heating, and/or other aspects of the direct electrical heating system. By way of non-limiting example, the heating system parameters may include one or more of a pipeline inner diameter, a pipeline thickness, a cable thermal insulation thickness, a concrete wall thickness, a cable radius or diameter, a cable steel core size, a cable electrical insulation thickness, a cable jacket thickness, a power system frequency, a sea water depth, a pipeline length, or a cable distance to pipeline, and/or other parameters. 
         [0021]    By way of illustration,  FIG. 3  depicts a view  50  of the input graphical interface. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , view  50  may include a target heat field  52 , one or more heating system parameter fields  54  (illustrated as  54   a - 54   k ), and/or other fields. Target heat field  52  is configured to receive entry and/or selection of a target heat value for the direct electrical heating system. Heating system parameter fields  54  are configured to receive entry and/or selection of values of heating system parameters for the direct electrical heating system. It will be appreciated that the illustration of the input graphical user interface being implemented in a single view  50  is not intended to be limiting. Various ones of fields  52  and  54 , and/or other fields associated with the input graphical user interface, could be provided in separate views. 
         [0022]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , input communication module  40  is configured to pass input values received through the input graphical user interface to a modeling application. The modeling application implements the input values to determine an output value for required current through the direct electrical heating system that will attain the specified target heat. The modeling application may implement, for example, finite element analysis to make this determination. The modeling application may be executed separately from system  30  (e.g., in a modeling system  70  shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). In such implementations, input communication module  40  may facilitate communication over networked and/or direct communication media with the modeling application, and/or via other communication media. The modeling application may be executed on processor  32 . However, in such implementations, the modeling application is logically discrete and separate from modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . For example, the modeling application may correspond to one or more pieces of software that are logically and computationally separate from modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . In these implementations, input communication module  40  is configured to effect transfer of the input values to the modeling application through the system architecture implementing system  30 . 
         [0023]    Output communication module  42  is configured to receive output values from the modeling application. The output values may be for required current through the direct electrical heating system required to attain the target heat, for electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system operating at the target heat, and/or for parameters or variables. The electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system may include one or more of resistance per unit length, inductance per unit length, cable impedance, and/or other parameters. 
         [0024]    Output presentation module  44  is configured to define an output graphical user interface for presentation to the user (e.g., via user interface  34 ). The output graphical user interface is configured to present output values received from the modeling application, and/or other information. By way of illustration,  FIG. 4  depicts a view  60  of the output graphical user interface. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , view  60  may include one or more of one or more input fields  62 , a required current field  64 , one or more electrical parameter fields  66  (illustrated as  66   a  and  66   b ), one or more operating parameter fields  68  (illustrated as  68   a  and  68   b ), and/or other fields. Input field  62  is configured to present one or more of the input values entered and/or selected through the input graphical user interface. Required current field  64  is configured to present a required current of the direct electrical heating system operating to produce the target heat. Electrical parameter fields  66  are configured to present electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system. Operating parameter fields  68  are configured to present operating parameters of the direct electrical heating system while the direct electrical heating system is producing the target heat. 
         [0025]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , operating parameters module  46  is configured to determine one or more operating parameters of the direct electrical heating system while the direct electrical heating system is producing the target heat. Operating parameters module  46  determines the operating parameters of the direct electrical heating system producing the target heat based on the output values received from the modeling application (e.g., the target heat and one or more electrical parameters), the input values submitted to the modeling application, and/or based on other information. The operating parameters may include one or more of system resistance, system inductance, root mean square current, active power, power factor, supply voltage, apparent power, reactive power, required topside voltage (kV), topside power (active, apparent and/or reactive), return current in the pipeline, sea water ac current, system efficiency, and/or other operating parameters. 
         [0026]    The operating parameters determined by operating parameters module  46  can be presented to the user, for example, through the output graphical user interface. 
         [0027]    Processor  32  may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor  32  is shown in  FIG. 2  as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor  32  may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor  32  may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. 
         [0028]    Processor  32  may be configured to execute modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46  by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor  32 . It should be appreciated that although modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor  32  includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46  may be located remotely from the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the different modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46  described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46  may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46  may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46 . As another example, processor  32  may be configured to execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of modules  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and/or  46 . 
         [0029]    Electronic storage  36  comprises non-transient electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage  36  may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with system  30  and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to system  30  via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage  36  may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage  36  may include virtual storage resources, such as storage resources provided via a cloud and/or a virtual private network. Electronic storage  36  may store software algorithms, information determined by processor  32 , information received via user interface  34 , and/or other information that enables system  30  to function properly. Electronic storage  36  may be a separate component within system  30 , or electronic storage  36  may be provided integrally with one or more other components of system  30  (e.g., processor  32 ). 
         [0030]    User interface  34  is configured to provide an interface between system  30  and the user through which the user may provide information to and receive information from system  30 . This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any other communicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” to be communicated between the user and one or more of processor  32 , electronic storage  36 , and/or other components. Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interface  34  include a keypad, buttons, switches, a keyboard, knobs, levers, a display screen, a touch screen, speakers, a microphone, an indicator light, an audible alarm, and a printer. In some implementations, user interface  34  actually includes a plurality of separate interfaces. It is to be understood that other communication techniques, either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated by the present invention as user interface  32 . For example, the present invention contemplates that user interface  32  may be integrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronic storage  36 . In this example, information may be loaded into system  30  from removable storage (e.g., a smart card, a flash drive, a removable disk, etc.) that enables the user(s) to customize the implementation of system  30 . Other exemplary input devices and techniques adapted for use with system  30  as user interface  34  include, but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link, modem (telephone, cable or other). In short, any technique for communicating information with system  30  is contemplated by the present invention as user interface  34 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system  70  configured to facilitate design of a direct electrical heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. System  70  is configured to perform modeling of the direct electrical heating system that provides a required current required to obtain a specified target heat for the direct electrical heating system. System  70  may implement, for example, finite element analysis and/or other analysis to model the direct electrical heating system. As is shown in  FIG. 5 , system  70  may include one or more of one or more processors  72 , electronic storage  74 , and/or other components. It will be appreciated that in some implementations, some or all of the components of system  70  may be common with system  30  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). For example, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to processor  72  may be provided by processor  32  shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein, or vice versa. 
         [0032]    Processor  72  is configured to provide information processing within system  70 . Processor  72  is configured to execute one or more computer modules. The computer modules may include one or more of an input data module  76 , a required current setting module  78 , heat determination module  80 , a heat calculation assessment module  82 , a required current adjustment module  84 , and/or other modules. Modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  are configured to model the direct electrical heating system. Modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  may be implemented in the modeling application discussed herein, for example with respect to system  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    Input data module  76  is configured to obtain input values for to target heat to be generated by the direct electrical heating system. The input values may specify one or more of a target heat, values for a set of heating system parameters, and/or other input values. Obtaining the input values may include receiving the input values from an interface with a user (e.g., through the interface provided by system  30  shown in  FIG. 2 ), accessing stored input values, receiving input values over a network, and/or obtaining the input values in other ways. 
         [0034]    Required current setting module  78  is configured to specify a proposed required current through the direct electrical heating system. Required current setting module  78  may be configured such that an initial proposed required current is specified based on a default value, based on one or more of the heating system parameters, based on user input, and/or based on other information. 
         [0035]    Heat determination module  80  is configured to determine an actual heat provided by the direct electrical heating system for a present proposed required current. The determination is made based on the obtained input values for the set of heating system parameters. Heat determination module  80  may be configured to implement finite element analysis to determine the actual heat provided for the present proposed required current. Heat determination module  80  may be configured such that the analysis performed provides values for electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system operating at the present proposed required current. 
         [0036]    Heat calculation assessment module  82  is configured to assess the determination of the actual heat at the present proposed required current. This assessment includes evaluating whether the determined actual heat is close enough to the target heat. In some implementations, heat calculation assessment module  82  is configured such that assessing the actual heat includes determining whether a difference between the actual heat and the target heat is less than a threshold difference. The threshold difference may be a set system parameter, received from a user, determined based on heating system parameters and/or pipeline parameters, and/or obtained in other ways. 
         [0037]    Required current adjustment module  84  is configured such that, responsive to heat calculation assessment module  82  determining that the different between the actual heat is not close enough to the target heat, required current adjustment module  84  determines a required current adjustment to the present proposed required current. The determination of the required current adjustment is made to reduce a number of iterations required to determine a proposed required current that will cause the direct electrical heating system to provide a satisfactory actual heat. This determination of required current adjustment is made as a function of a ratio of the target heat and the actual heat at the present proposed required current. The determination may make use of the relationship between heat and current within the direct electrical heating system. This relationship may be expressed as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Heat 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       2 
                     
                      
                     
                       R 
                       
                         a 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         c 
                       
                     
                     * 
                     
                       I 
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   1 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           
             where Heat represents the heat in the direct electrical heating system, R ac  represents the resistance of the direct electrical heating system, and I represents the required current. 
           
         
       
     
         [0039]    For the actual and target heats, equation (1) can be used to derive the relationship: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       I 
                       Target 
                     
                     
                       I 
                       actual 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         Heat 
                         Target 
                       
                       
                         Heat 
                         actual 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           
             wherein I Target  represents the required current that may provide the target heat in the direct electrical heating system, I actual  represents the present proposed required current, Heat Target  represents the target heat, and Heat actual  represents the actual heat at the present proposed required current. 
           
         
       
     
         [0041]    From equation (2), an adjusted proposed required current can be obtained as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     I 
                     Target 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       I 
                       actual 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         
                           Heat 
                           Target 
                         
                         
                           Heat 
                           actual 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   3 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that the relationship expressed in equation (1) and leveraged in equation (3) to determine the required current that may provide the target heat (or the adjusted proposed required current) does not take into account the full complexity of the direct electrical heating system. However, this approximation does provide a far better adjustment to the proposed required current than other conventional methods (e.g., such as a fixed increment and/or other methods). As such, implementing the adjustment to the proposed required current determined by required current adjustment module  84  may facilitate more efficient calculation of the required current that will provide the target heat (e.g., with fewer iterations through the modeling analysis). 
         [0043]    Required current setting module  78  is configured, responsive to required current adjustment module  84  determining an adjustment to the present proposed required current, to set the proposed required current at the adjusted proposed required current determined. Modules  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  may then iterate implementing the adjusted proposed required current as the present proposed required current. 
         [0044]    Processor  72  may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor  72  is shown in  FIG. 5  as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor  72  may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor  72  may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. 
         [0045]    Processor  72  may be configured to execute modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor  72 . It should be appreciated that although modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and  84  are illustrated in  FIG. 5  as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor  72  includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  may be located remotely from the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the different modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84  may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84 . As another example, processor  72  may be configured to execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of modules  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 , and/or  84 . 
         [0046]    Electronic storage  74  comprises non-transient electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage  74  may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with system  70  and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to system  70  via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage  74  may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage  74  may include virtual storage resources, such as storage resources provided via a cloud and/or a virtual private network. Electronic storage  74  may store software algorithms, information determined by processor  72 , information received via user interface  34 , and/or other information that enables system  70  to function properly. Electronic storage  74  may be a separate component within system  70 , or electronic storage  74  may be provided integrally with one or more other components of system  70  (e.g., processor  72 ). 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method  90  of facilitate desing of a direct electrical heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The operations of method  90  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method  90  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  90  are illustrated in  FIG. 6  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, method  90  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  90  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  90 . 
         [0049]    At an operation  92 , an input graphical user interface is defined. The input graphical user interface is configured to receive entry and/or selection of input values for a target heat to be generated by the direct electrical heating system, a set of heating system parameters, and/or other input values. In some implementations, operation  92  is performed by an input reception module the same as or similar to input reception module  38  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). 
         [0050]    At an operation  94 , input values received through the input graphical user interface are passed to a modeling application. The modeling application may model the direct electrical heating system using the input values to determine a required current that will produce the target heat in the direct electrical heating system. The modeling application may implement finite element analysis to model the direct electrical heating system. In some implementations, operation  94  is performed by an input communication module the same as or similar to input communication module  40  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). 
         [0051]    At an operation  96 , output values are received from the modeling application. The modeling application may include output values for one or more of a required current, one or more electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system, and/or other output values. In some implementations, operation  96  is performed by an output communication module the same as or similar to output communication module  42  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). 
         [0052]    At an operation  98 , the output values received at operation  96  are used to determine one or more operating parameters of the direct electrical heating system operating to produce the target heat. In some implementations, operation  98  is performed by an operating parameters module the same as or similar to operating parameters module  46  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). 
         [0053]    At an operation  100 , an output graphical user interface is defined. The output graphical user interface may present one or more of the output values received at operation  96 , one or more of the operating parameters determined at operation  98 , and/or other information. In some implementations, operation  100  is performed by an output presentation module the same as or similar to output presentation module  44  (shown in  FIG. 2  and described herein). 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method  110  of facilitate desing of a direct electrical heating system for a pipeline carrying petrochemicals. The operations of method  110  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method  110  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  110  are illustrated in  FIG. 7  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, method  110  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  110  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  110 . 
         [0056]    At an operation  112 , a target heat to be generated by the direct electrical heating system is obtained along with heating system parameters for the direct electrical heating system and/or other information. In some implementations, operation  112  is performed by an input data module the same as or similar to input data module  76  (shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). 
         [0057]    At an operation  114 , a proposed required current through the direct electrical heating system is set as the present proposed required current. In some implementations, operation  114  is performed by a required current setting module the same as or similar to required current setting module  78  (shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). 
         [0058]    At an operation  116 , the actual heat produced by the direct electrical heating system at the present proposed required current is determined. Electrical parameters of the system operating at the present proposed required current may be determined. The determination made at operation  116  may implement finite element analysis. In some implementations, operation  116  is performed by a heat determination module the same as or similar to heat determination module  80  (shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). 
         [0059]    At an operation  118 , the determination of actual heat produced at the present proposed required current is assessed with respect to the target heat. In some implementations, operation  118  is performed by a heat calculation assessment module the same as or similar to heat calculation assessment module  82  (shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). 
         [0060]    Responsive to a determination at operation  118  that the actual heat produced at the present proposed required current is close enough to the target heat, method  110  proceeds to an operation  120 . At operation  120 , the present proposed required current is returned as the required current for the target heat. The electrical parameters determined at operation  118  may be returned as the electrical parameters of the direct electrical heating system producing the target heat. 
         [0061]    Responsive to a determination at operation  118  that the actual heat produced at the present proposed required current is not close enough to the target heat, method  110  proceeds to an operation  122 . At operation  122 , a required current adjustment is determined. The required current adjustment is determined as a function of a ratio of the target heat and the actual heat at the present proposed required current. In some implementations, operation  122  is performed by a required current adjustment module the same as or similar to required current adjustment module  84  (shown in  FIG. 5  and described herein). 
         [0062]    Although the system(s) and/or method(s) of this disclosure have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.