Evaluation of a gas pipeline simulation program

As with any predictive scientific tool, the best test of a simulation program is to compare its simulated results with values from the real world. A 7-day set of SCADA measurements from a transportation pipeline network extending over 1500 km is used for this purpose. The results of the comparisons with a gas pipeline simulation program, SIROGAS, are presented. The objective was to observe and possibly improve its suitability for use as an on-line leak detection tool by testing the capability of the program to simulate a large network. The method was to set some of the SCADA data as boundary conditions and compare the remainder with the simulation results. The results are quantified through the means and statistical confidence intervals for differences between measured and simulated values of the major variables. The results sometimes indicated abnormalities in the network instrumentation. The performance of the compressor model is discussed and a mechanism is suggested for smooth simulations while receiving temporarily erroneous SCADA readings. The effects of boundary condition configurations on simulation are also discussed.