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Introduction
One of the challenges in the management of a typical gas pipeline network is the retrieval of data for different purposes from each of the metering points within the network. Spirit has an integrated solution.
For gas network operating companies, network management often focuses around different areas of functionality: Data for control & operation (SCADA), Billing data for financial purposes, as well as Diagnostics data for intelligent equipment such as ultrasonic meters or flow computers.
SCADA functionality
One of the most important functions in the operation of a gas pipeline network is to manage the demand of gas flow at various sections in the network.
To ensure good management of a network which is distributed over a large geographical area, network transporting and operating companies usually have a large SCADA system installed which retrieves actual values for flow, temperature and pressure from various metering points in the network.
Acting on actual gas demand throughout the pipeline, gas companies can redirect flow through the sections in the pipeline network by the remote operation of valves.
Data for Financial purposes
Besides the real-time information for network control, a gas network transporting company requires billing information at each metering point in the network.
Unfortunately, most SCADA systems are not equipped with the software for this purpose, thus, the billing information cannot be obtained from the SCADA system, but has to be retrieved by installing another system.
Event logging data, periodic data which is usually encrypted and logged when used for billing purposes or parameter change events cannot be managed by the SCADA system.
Therefore, additional costly systems must be installed to obtain the kind of information from metering stations in the pipeline for financial purposes.
Performance Monitoring System (PMS)
The third important function for a gas transport company is to keep installed equipment in good shape. For most mechanical equipment such as turbine meters, limited options are available for remote operation or diagnostics of these meters.
With modern intelligent meters, such as ultrasonic meters, much more information is available at the meter level to be able to obtain information about its condition and performance.
This performance monitoring and diagnostics data is at hand at the meter, but must be transported to a central system, preferably in (near) real-time.
