Real-time flow modeling and applications in pipeline measurement and control

The availability of sophisticated computer-based supervisory control systems has created numerous opportunities for real-time mathematical modeling of related processes. Such models typically involve numerical solutions to fundamental relations governing the process of interest, with boundary conditions and forcing functions obtained via the supervisory control system from existing or specially installed instrumentation. An area of particular interest is pipeline operations and control. Here real-time models can be used to assist in the selection and optimization of pump and valve configurations, as well as to detect and locate anomalies such as slack line, conditions, leaks, instrumentation errors, and other equipment malfunctions. One such application, a real-time flow model designed for pipeline leak detection is discussed.