Pipeline Applications of Control Computers

Control by computer has been the subject of much discussion in the pipeline industry. Such discussion has pertained largely to such subjects as automatic scheduling, automatic dispatching, and power optimization. These, of course, are difficult control problems, the solution of which depends upon employing a powerful device such as the digital computer. At the same time, many less complex control requirements have existed in the industry, for which the flexibility and accuracy of the digital computer would be desirable, but which until recently have not been considered as computer applications because the cost could not be justified as compared with more conventional equipment. Prices of computer control systems started at about $ 150 000 prior to 1964. A new generation of small units has been introduced since that time, and prices now start at about $ 50 000. This has significantly broadened the scope of potential computer applications; some of which are discussed.