Effect of different parameters on optimum design for high pressure natural gas trunk-lines

Natural gas is rapidly growing in global importance both as a primary energy source and a feedstock for downstream industry. Therefore, needs for natural gas transportation from production zones to consuming areas are ever increasing. Natural Gas transmission through pipeline is the oldest and most common method for high capacity gas transmission. These transmission systems are very capital intensive; therefore, the optimum design for this method of transportation seems indispensable. s work, the optimum design for gas transmission systems has been investigated from technical and economical points of view. The main optimization criterion has been the minimization of the life cycle cost for the gas transmission system. Considering various factors affecting the life cycle cost of these systems, a comprehensive mathematical model has been established to find the optimum design. In view of the characteristics of the model, comprising continuous and discrete variables, a rank-optimization methodology has been used. Based on the developed optimization method, an optimization program has been compiled. The effect of different variables on the life cycle cost for one of the Iranian Gas Trunk-Lines (IGAT-II) has been investigated.