An Expert System, COMPRESSION MASTER PLANNER, is being evaluated by gas pipeline companies which will assist facilities planners to:

                                                                              select equipment
                                                                              evaluate performance
                                                                              compare life cycle costs of equipment options

You can download a brochure here.

COMPRESSION MASTER PLANNER considers a wide array of combinations of specific equipment models for compressors, prime movers, and capacity control, according to the relationships shown below:

Our Expert System, COMPRESSION MASTER PLANNER, features a database of most available models of equipment from major manufacturers. Gas pipeline planners and engineers input their station requirements in the form of a design point and ten alternative operating points, and the Expert System provides analyses of up to six equipment options for performance and life cycle economics. The Expert System:

·        Finds specific equipment models that work in combination to solve the defined problem,
             Compressors  
             Turbines/engines/motors
             Drives and capacity control methods

             Solutions are by manufacturer, model and/or frame size. 

·        Provides performance evaluation for the design conditions and ten additional operating points on the fly! 

      For centrifugal compressors, charts of head vs. actual cubic feet per minute and suction or discharge pressure vs. flow are provided. The user can look at the performance of any of the equipment options and alternate operating (or design) points on the fly. Any violations of constraints such as horsepower, head, surge, etc. can be seen immediately.

      For reciprocating compressors, charts are provided of flow and horsepower vs. suction or discharge pressure, see charts below. Again, the user can see the performance of all options at the various operating points on the fly. The program  finds important parameters such as stroke and maximum rod load, and provides a default bore based on rod load. The user can adjust bore, cylinder model and add pockets using a short list provided by the Expert System.

From these selections, GAS/ELECTRIC PLANNER

·        Provides life cycle cost comparison of up to six equipment options.

HERE ARE THE BENEFITS:

·        Provides gas pipeline engineers and planners a way to rapidly find the best, most economic equipment combinations for their compressor station requirements — including options which otherwise may not be considered.  Gas Pipeline companies expect that COMPRESSION MASTER PLANNER will enhance the productivity of younger engineers by providing them quick access to the knowledge base of an entire industry.

For more information, contact W. Richard Schmeal, Gas/Electric Ventures, 713 529 3216 or rschmeal@ix.netcom.com.