NetFlow Dynamics

Software · Tue Oct 03 04:00:00 EDT 2017

OSTI ID:1399215

Corbet Jr., Thomas F ^[1]; Beyeler, Walter E ^[1]; Vanwestrienen, Dirk ^[1]; Williams III, Allan Derrick ^[1]; Cooper, Curtis; Mitchell, Roger ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories
2. GAITS

NetFlow Dynamics is a web-accessible analysis environment for simulating dynamic flows of materials on model networks. Performing a simulation requires both the NetFlow Dynamics application and a network model which is a description of the structure of the nodes and edges of a network including the flow capacity of each edge and the storage capacity of each node, and the sources and sinks of the material flowing on the network. NetFlow Dynamics consists of databases for storing network models, algorithms to calculate flows on networks, and a GIS-based graphical interface for performing simulations and viewing simulation results. Simulated flows are dynamic in the sense that flows on each edge of the network and inventories at each node change with time and can be out of equilibrium with boundary conditions. Any number of network models could be simulated using Net Flow Dynamics. To date, the models simulated have been models of petroleum infrastructure. The main model has been the National Transportation Fuels Model (NTFM), a network of U.S. oil fields, transmission pipelines, rail lines, refineries, tank farms, and distribution terminals. NetFlow Dynamics supports two different flow algorithms, the Gradient Flow algorithm and the Inventory Control algorithm, that were developed specifically for the NetFlow Dynamics application. The intent is to add additional algorithms in the future as needed. The ability to select from multiple algorithms is desirable because a single algorithm never covers all analysis needs. The current algorithms use a demand-driven capacity-constrained formulation which means that the algorithms strive to use all available capacity and stored inventory to meet desired flows to sinks, subject to the capacity constraints of each network component. The current flow algorithms are best suited for problems in which a material flows on a capacity-constrained network representing a supply chain in which the material supplied can be stored at each node of the network. In the petroleum models, the flowing materials are crude oil and refined products that can be stored at tank farms, refineries, or terminals (i.e. the nodes of the network). Examples of other network models that could be simulated are currency flowing in a financial network, agricultural products moving to market, or natural gas flowing on a pipeline network.

• Short Name / Acronym: NFD v.2.1; 005468MLTPL00
• Site Accession Number: SCR #2006
• Version: 00
• Programming Language(s): Medium: X; OS: Any that support web servers.
• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Contributing Organization: GAITS
• DOE Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1399215
• Country of Origin: United States