A master's student at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Engineering of Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI), has developed an algorithm for controlling an intermediate oil product transfer station in order to save raw materials and electricity spent on the pumping process.
The intermediate oil product pumping station (NPPS) increases the pressure of the pumped liquid in the main oil pipeline. If it becomes necessary to regulate not only the pressure, but also the volumetric flow rate at the outlet of the station, it is necessary to find an operating point at which the required pressure will be maintained while ensuring the required flow rate. To solve this problem, an algorithm for controlling the NPPS was developed.
"In my bachelor's thesis, I considered a specific example of pumping jet fuel to an endpoint. We have a certain number of flights, and we know the required amount of fuel. The algorithm automatically selects the pump parameters so that the required amount of fuel is pumped per day. This allows you to save on pumping and on the electricity that will be spent on this process. The calculations take into account the two most important parameters of the station: outlet pressure and flow rate. To create the algorithm, an automation scheme for the station with the equipment located on it was drawn up," said Maxim Sukhovarov, a graduate student.
The simulated NPP is divided into two parts: a hydraulic model of the station itself (pumps, valves, valves) and a part with models of power equipment and sensors. The control is carried out in a SCADA system (user interface): the signal is sent to the controller, where the algorithm changes the state of the equipment. The change is transmitted to the model, which recalculates the state of the system, and then, using sensor models, is transmitted back to the controller and displayed in the SCADA system.
The calculation algorithm works as follows: the operator sets the required pressure (it depends on the length of the pipeline) and the required flow rate (the volume of product to be pumped to the end point). Based on this data, the algorithm calculates the relative pump speed and the degree of opening of the outlet valves. The controller sets these parameters for the equipment, receiving the necessary output parameters of the system.
The developed control algorithm, taking into account emergency situations and calculating equipment parameters to maintain the required pressure and volume flow at the station outlet, is universal and can be adapted for use on other types of pipelines.
The next stage of work is to create a playback system for testing and modeling hardware settings. It saves the parameters, formula, and logic of the operation so that any process can be reproduced or modeled anew. The system will allow you to debug interaction with equipment and production processes through simulation without risk to the real object.
Earlier, engineers at NSTU-NETI developed a prototype electronic tape measure for measuring the filling level of oil and chemical tanks.