Optimization of energy saving mode pumping of the main oil pipeline

The current task of increasing the energy efficiency of oil pumping stations (OPS) of main oil pipelines (MOP) is to reduce the consumption of electricity for pumping a unit of commercial product. Usually, this value is measured in kW*hours per ton of pumped oil. The value of specific energy consumption depends on many factors: the length of the oil pipeline, the rheological properties of the pumped oil, planned volumes, the pressure at the inlet and outlet of the oil pumping stations, and many other parameters. For a separate section of the main oil pipeline and a fixed time period, usually during a month, many of the listed parameters change insignificantly or remain constant. For example, the properties of oil do not change during one month, since they are determined by a commercial contract. An essential parameter determining specific power consumption is the pumping mode – the operating mode of the pumping units, determining their productivity and average power. Depending on the technological tasks, the operating modes are constantly changing in accordance with the specified schedule. As a rule, regulatory documents specify several fixed pumping modes. There can be from 5 to 10 such modes. The task of optimizing pumping modes is to find the minimum of the objective function - specific electricity consumption for one calendar month of pipeline operation, provided that the pumping plan is met by optimally selecting the operating modes of the pumping station. The article describes the algorithm and results of the optimization calculation using the example of the operation of the «Transneft-Privolga» JSC oil pumping station, which made it possible to save on electricity costs while ensuring a given volume of oil pumping.