The VariSim Suite supports some very powerful applications for the heat industry and their networks. Desktop studies can be undertaken for designing, planning, troubleshooting and optimising.
If it is possible to obtain recorded data, VariSims dynamic simulator capabilities can provide a unique insight into the performance of a pipeline / network and visibly demonstrate the dynamic interaction of the whole pipeline infrastructure – including the control schemes. This provides the ultimate environment for helping to solve the day to day operational issues that are increasingly experienced on water systems today.
Use the powerful build processes to generate models of any gas pipeline or network including simple A to B pipelines, branched pipelines or complex networks. Simulator models are created with VariBuild using the inbuilt user interface with graphical drag and drop functionality and/or the model build wizard that imports models from third party databases or GIS shape files.
Design, Plan, Troubleshoot, Optimise |
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Starting conditions can be based on design data, field observed data or logger data depending on the objective of the study which can include:- Steady state flow, pressure and temperature distribution for review Dynamic hydraulic reaction to equipment operation, control schemes and supply / consumer changes. Flow assurance simulations for security of supply and determination of survival times. The distribution of gas to identify source, quality, age and any other component (such as Hydrogen Sulphide) |
Perform repeated simulations to optimise the operation of the pipeline / network and accurately size equipment across the range of transient pipeline conditions. Example optimisations include pipe sizing, compressor sizing, valve set-point and control system settings, heater sizing etc. |
Use the VariSim tools for tracing flow, analysing isolation sequences and their effects, automating the definition of zones, gas balancing and consumer flow allocation using varying techniques such as the thiessen polygon method. |
Display all VariSim output in a GIS format against any background shape files such as street layout. |
VariSim has the ability to use measured data to drive it. With this type of simulation, it mimics the real pipeline and is often termed an online simulator or a digital twin. The measurement data may be logger data so that it mimics the pipeline / network reaction at the time the logger data was recorded, or it can use current data (obtained through the connection to a live database) to make the simulator a real time simulator.
A real time simulator can transfer its current state to a copy of the simulator operating in a desktop environment. This allows the user to initiate the simulation with current conditions for subsequent simulation and analysis.
In reality, all pipelines or networks are transient and frequently in a state of imbalance and this is especially true for gas pipelines. True transient simulation is essential for solving the conditions of pipeline systems that are hydraulically imbalanced and a simulator that uses a steady state solution will frequently fail to achieve this.
Monitor, Detect, Optimise |
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View any VariSim calculated value at any location on the pipeline / network including flow, pressure, temperature, velocity, density, wavespeed, composition etc. |
Obtain Virtual Instrumentation values at any location on the pipeline / system |
Detect events and anomalies that develop on the pipeline / network. • High / Low Pressure, Flow, Velocity • High / Low Wobbe ICF or excessive conponent concentrations such as carbon dioxide • Excessive pressure loss identifying poor pipeline condition • Over/under concentration of additives. • Poor fluid flow distribution (using source tracking functions) |
Analyse the potential for customer interruptions |
View all data against any GIS information including street layout, water sources (reservoirs, lakes and rivers) etc. |
Add plugins for additional functionality including :- • Leak Detection and Location • Capacity calculations and balancing • Optimisation • Compressor Management • Pig Tracking • Pipeline Integrity and Efficiency • Liquid Drop Out Pressure and Temperature conditions |
Display output in standard VariSim displays and / or a SCADA style graphical user interface. |
Simulation Study using VariSim
Network Analysis
Isolation Analysis
Heat Map showing development of anomalies
Leak Detection