OPTIMIZATION OF PUMP ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN OIL PIPELINES

摘要

In the present work an optimization study was conducted with the objective of providing pipeline operators with a simple, spreadsheet-based computational tool to help decrease the electrical energy consumption associated with a particular transport operation. The methodology proposed encompasses the construction of a database of information on the pipeline regarding pumping power consumption, for all possible pumping arrangements and flow rate ranges considered viable for the pipeline. This database is fed to a spreadsheet programmed to calculate the minimum pumping cost for a particular operation. This calculation takes into account, the volume of product to be transported, start and finish times, fluid properties, and the possibility of the existence of a low and a high electricity tariff based on geographical location and time of the day. The methodology was applied to the ORBEL Ⅱ pipeline in Brazil, and two case studies were conducted. Significant cost savings were obtained by the use of the methodology developed.