Automating existing stations

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Pipeline Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6840900

Little, J E

The task was to automate 20 major compressor stations along ANR Pipeline Co.'s Southeastern and Southwestern pipelines in as many months. Meeting this schedule required standardized hardware and software design. Working with Bristol Babcock Co., ANR came up with an off-the-shelf station automation package suitable for a variety of compressor stations. The project involved 148 engines with 488,880-hp in the 20 stations. ANR Pipeline developed software for these engines and compressors, including horsepower prediction and efficiency. The system places processors ''intelligence'' at each station and engine to monitor and control operations. The station processor receives commands from the company's gas dispatch center at Detroit and informs dispatchers of alarms, conditions, and decision it makes. The automation system is controlled by the Detroit center through a central communications network. Operating orders from the center are sent to the station processor, which obeys orders using the most efficient means of operation at the station's disposal. In a malfunction, a control and communications backup system takes over. Commands and information are directly transmitted between the center and the individual compressor stations. Stations receive their orders based on throughput, with suction and discharge pressure overrides. Additionally, a discharge temperature override protects pipeline coatings.

• Research Organization: ANR Pipeline Co., Detroit, MI
• OSTI ID: 6840900
• Journal Information: Pipeline Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 213:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
GAS UTILITIES
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
NATURAL GAS
TRANSPORT
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
PIPELINES
COMPRESSORS
AUTOMATION
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERS
DATA TRANSMISSION
ENGINES
MONITORING
PRESSURE CONTROL
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
SCHEDULES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
COATINGS
COMMUNICATIONS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
032000* - Natural Gas- Transport
Handling
& Storage
420205 - Engineering- Transport & Storage Facilities- (1980-)