Method for optimizing the delivery process of natural gas ultrasonic flowmeters for verification

Abstract

[Objective] The delivery process of natural gas ultrasonic flowmeters for verification is not quantitative, and there are no relevant regulations on the scheduling and sequencing process before the flowmeters are put onto the inspection bench, resulting in contradictions between the “delivery” plan and the “verification” schedule. It is urgent to address the dynamic collaborative planning of “delivery” and “verification”. [Methods] Based on the criterion of “maximizing the value of pipeline network through ultrasonic flowmeter verification and minimizing the risk of pipeline network after ultrasonic flowmeter verification”, a pipeline branch company of PipeChina was selected as an example to propose a method for optimizing delivery for verification and intelligent decision-making on verification scheduling. Through digital transformation, three influencing factors of traditional management, i.e. planning standard,uncertainty, and verification priority, were statistically analyzed. Driven by process, data mining, flexible management, and analysis of operation and maintenance effectiveness mode were carried out based on the characteristics of ultrasonic flowmeter operation,maintenance and verification. The service life cycles of flowmeters were defined. The matching between active and standby flowmeters was optimized, and the time confirmation method for the annual delivery plan was proposed. Based on the life cycle mode, dynamic planning was conducted during the verification scheduling. [Results] The results show that the verification priority can be redefined by gas transmission benefit value and certificate expiration risk. For mutually active and standby flowmeters, the verification value and the risk cost of the flowmeter to be verified are respectively determined by the gas transmission benefit value and the certificate expiration risk of the flowmeter in service within a certain period, and the constraint conditions are adjusted according to the capacity of the verification center. [Conclusion] The optimized method of the dynamic overall planning of operation, verification, and maintenance of natural gas ultrasonic flowmeters based on verification scheduling is conducive to resisting uncertain risks, reducing verification load, and improving metering safety. It provides technical support for gas commercial metering and pipeline transmission loss control.

Keywords

• gas pipeline network
• ultrasonic flowmeter
• traceability of quantities
• digital transformation
• delivery process
• integration
• dynamic planning