Hybrid method for the solution of piping networks

A method is described for the analysis of general fluid-flow problems in which there is a nonlinear relationship between pressure and flow. The practical application is illustrated by solving gas-distribution networks, and a comparison of different methods of ordered elimination as applied to the problem is also included. In general piping networks, the solution based on loop analysis produces the best convergencÿ characteristics, while nodal analysis is more convenient for the formulation of equations with maximum sparsity. Using electrical theory, the method described combines the mesh and nodal formulation into an efficient hybrid method.