Us e r M a n u a l

For
P i p e l i n e S t u d i o De m a n d An d I n v e n t o r y An a l y s i s
E x c e l Ap p l i c a t i o n
10 March 2003

ENERGY SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

SYNOPSIS:

This document provides the detailed instructions for running

the Demand and Inventory Analysis Application, an MS
Excel based application that consist of a suite of Excel VBA
macros to provide a conduit for the transfer of data between
MS Excel and Pipeline Studio.

DISCLAIMER:

This is an unpublished work, the copyright of which vests in

Energy Solutions International. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein is the property of Energy
Solutions International and is supplied without liability for
errors or omissions.
No part may be reproduced or used except as authorised
by contract or other written permission.
The copyright and the foregoing restriction on reproduction
and use extend to all media in which the information may
be embodied.
This software is designed for demonstration purposes only
and neither reproduces or mimics the functionality, which
can be obtained from the product developed by Energy
Solutions International and marketed under the name
Pipeline Studio.
The downloading and use of this software is entirely at the
users risk. Energy Solutions International neither operate a
software maintenance / support service in respect of this
software nor do they accept any responsibility of whatever
form, as may occur as a consequence of the downloading
and use of this software on the users computer.

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

Contents
1

INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................4
1.1 OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................................4
1.2

2
3

ABBREVIATIONS..................................................................................................4

APPLICATION OPERATION OVERVIEW......................................................................5

PLS CONFIGURATION...................................................................................................6
3.1 BASE CONFIGURATION ......................................................................................6
3.1.1 GAS PIPELINE NETWORK DESCRIPTION ............................................6
APPLICATION INPUT .....................................................................................................7
4.1 THE BASE FLOWS WORK SHEET......................................................................7

4.2

4.1.1 COMPRESSOR STATUS .........................................................................8

4.1.2 BASE AND CASE FLOW AT DELIVERY .................................................8
4.1.3 PROCEDURE FOR CREATING CASE FLOWS ....................................10
DELIVERY PROFILE WORKSHEET ..................................................................10

4.3

4.2.1 DELIVERY PROFILE ..............................................................................11

4.2.2 COMPRESSOR STATUS FORECAST ..................................................11
RUNNING XLPLS APPLICATION.......................................................................12

OUTPUTS ......................................................................................................................13
5.1 DEMAND FLOW AND PRESSURE RESULTS ..................................................13
5.2

INVENTORY RESULTS ......................................................................................14

5.3

TREND.................................................................................................................14

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

INTRODUCTION
The Demand and Inventory Analysis Application is a Windows-based application that uses
Pipeline Studio (PLS) and Microsoft Excel to provide analysis of inventory and demand in a
specific pipeline configuration. This document provides the details of how to run the
application, what the application expects as input, and the output produced by the application.
The purpose of the application is to facilitate analysis of pipeline inventory over a 24-hour
period based on specified initial demands and flow profiles.
This tool demonstrates, through the Demand and Inventory Analysis application, how Pipeline
Studio (PLS) can be integrated with Microsoft Excel to provide an operation tool with a user
interface that is familiar to most engineers, planners and operators. Although the actual
application is immaterial, it is instructive because it demonstrates how PLS can be
embedded into a 3rd party application such as MS Excel to provide a bespoke layered
application with a simple user interface. This layered application hides the details of the
simulator, allowing the user to focus on key operational parameters such as demand profiles
and forecasts of inventory in an environment in which they feel comfortable.
This user guide walks you though using the application. However, equally valuable is the VBA
code used within Excel to manipulate the input data, run PLS, then retrieve data generated by
the simulator and present it back to the user in PLS. The VBA code is accessible from within
the DemandAnalysis.xls Excel spreadsheet.

1.1

OVERVIEW
This application uses Microsoft Excel as a front end to Energy Solutions Pipeline Studio.
The application uses a fixed pipeline topology which is specified in the PLS configuration file,
DemandAnalysis.tgw. All the relevant operational parameters for the PLS simulation are
entered through Excel worksheets. After successful completion of the PLS steady-state and
transient simulation, the results are displayed in Excel Worksheets in the form of tables and
graphs.

1.2

ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are used in this document:
PLS

Pipeline Studio

TGNET

Transient Gas Network

ESI

Energy Solutions International

MS

Microsoft

Energy Solutions International is a registered trademark of Energy Solutions International.

Pipeline Studio is a registered trademark of Energy Solutions International.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

APPLICATION OPERATION OVERVIEW

A simple schematic of the application architecture is shown in Figure 1.
The MS Excel Workbook, DemandAnalysis.xls, has a customised submenu XLPLS under
the Tools menu. The XLPLS menu has three options: Create Setpoints, Create Scenario
and RunPLS.
When Create Setpoints is selected, the base demand data (plus initial compressor status)
from the Excel sheet is written into a CSV formatted file. Similarly, when Create Scenario is
selected, the demand profile and base demand data in the Excel sheets are combined to
generate a transient scenario that is written to a CSV formatted file. Upon selection of the
RunPLS option, PLS is opened with the configuration DemandAnalysis.tgw using the initial
setpoints file and the scenario file as parameters to the PLS /importdata and /scenariodata
command line arguments, and steady-state and transient simulations are executed using the
/RunTransient command line argument.
Once the PLS simulations have completed, the ASCII trend data file (DemandAnalysis.WTG)
is read by Excel and the data presented to the user in the form of tables and graphs.

MS Excel User Interface

Scenario
Data

Initial
Demand

Pipeline Studio

Results

Figure 1 Application Architecture

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

PLS CONFIGURATION

3.1

BASE CONFIGURATION
The PLS model used in the application is stored in the configuration file DemandAnalysis.tgw.
The network view for this configuration is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 A simple gas pipeline network with a supply, compressor station and
deliveries

3.1.1

GAS PIPELINE NETWORK DESCRIPTION

The gas pipeline network shown in Figure 2.1 is effectively a 210 Km point-point pipeline with
a single supply, a generic compressor with driver and associated fuel delivery and 22
deliveries.
The ingress pressure is maintained at 60 barg with a flow limit of 350000 m3/hr. The
compressor discharge pressure is also set to 60 barg.
The majority of the pipeline consists of 18 and 12 pipes.
Each delivery has a base demand (flow rate). This flow rate varies throughout the day
according to the base demand and a demand profile for that delivery. The purpose of the
application is to easily analyse the pipeline inventory over a 24-hour period based on
specified initial demands and flow profiles.

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

APPLICATION INPUT
Input to the application is entered in two worksheets: Base flows and Demand Profile.

4.1

THE BASE FLOWS WORK SHEET

The 'Base Flows' worksheet, which is shown in Figure 3, contains all the data required for
generating the initial set points.
The user should start by specifying an appropriate case name in cell C2.
The base flow values are used as reference values. The user can enter a case demand
value. The delivery demand values are then calculated automatically from the delivery base
flow and the ratio of the total base flow to the total case flow.
The user can choose to override the calculated case flow rates for a delivery by entering an
override value. The case demands are then recalculated accordingly.
The initial compressor status may also be changed.
Once the user is satisfied with total case flow and the individual delivery case flow rates the
Tools/XLPLS/Create Setpoints menu option can be selected. This will create the PLS initial
setpoints file.

Figure 3 Base Flows Worksheet

The user editable input values in the Base Flow worksheet for creating the setpoints are listed
below.

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

Input Name

Cell

Description

Case name

C2

The case name for the Analysis.

Case Demand

C3

Required Total Demand on the network.

Compressor_01
Status

C10

(Select list) Initial compressor status.

Overrides

D14:D35

The user specified override value for delivery

demand.

Table 1 Base Flow Worksheet Input Parameters

4.1.1

COMPRESSOR STATUS
The compressor status can be specified by selecting the value in the select list box, as shown
in the Figure 4.

Figure 4 Compressor Status Selection

4.1.2

BASE AND CASE FLOW AT DELIVERY

The Base flow value for each delivery is fixed. The case flow for the case is calculated
automatically from the data entered in the Case demand, Total derived, Total Manual, Base
Flow and Derivation Ratio cells. The user needs to enter a Case demand to calculate the
case flow. In addition, the name of the case should be specified.

Case Name

case_5

Case Demand

320000m3/hr

Total Manual

101000m3/hr

Total Derived

219000m3/hr

Derivation Ratio
Actual Case Demand

1.001371742
320000m3/hr

Figure 5 Base Demand Specification

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

Input Name

Description

Case name

The Case name for the Analysis. It may be changed

by the user.

Case Demand

Required Total Demand on the network. It may be

changed by the user.

Total Manual

Total of delivery override flow values.

Total derived

Sum of all calculated delivery flow value.

Derivation Ratio

The ratio of the Case demand to the Base Demand

taking into account the override values.

Actual Case
Demand

Sum of the case flows.

The user may override some calculated case delivery flows. This is done by entering an
override values for the delivery (cells D14:D35). The remaining case flows are then
recalculated to meet the requested case flow.

Deliveries

Base Flow (m3/hr)

Overrides

Case Flow

(Demand at 8AM)

(m3/hr)

(m3/hr)

TTP_PowerPlant

41050

41000

41000.0

DNAT_Factory

18000

19000

19000.0

PlantTTP

12000

20000

20000.0

GGP_PowerPlant

9500

9513.0

METHI_PowerPlant

16000

16021.9

SRM_Refinery

14000

TATU_Fertilizer

8000

8011.0

SPC_Fertilizer

24000

24032.9

SPP_PowerPlant

12000

12016.5

ST_CompStation

18000

18024.7

MADHA_Town

10000

10013.7

SHT_Factory

6000

6008.2

ACC_Factory

12000

12016.5

CHEPP_PowerPlant

18000

18024.7

ACC_Factory2

10000

10013.7

CHETPP_PowerPlant

14000

14019.2

CHE_Factory

10000

VARAN_City

12200

12216.7

MAND_PowerPlant

17000

17023.3

8000

8011.0

BEG_BoilerPlant

14000

14019.2

SECU_City

10000

10013.7

MAYU_Town

14000

7000

14000.0

7000.0

Figure 6 Delivery Flow Specification

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

4.1.3

4.2

PROCEDURE FOR CREATING CASE FLOWS

9

Enter the Case Name

Enter the Case Demand value whence the case flow value of each delivery will be
calculated.

Enter the necessary override value for the delivery

Click Tools/ XLPLS/ Create Setpoints menu. During the processing, the status bar
displays Busy.

After converting the input data into the required PLS input file, the status bar displays
Ready

DELIVERY PROFILE WORKSHEET

The 'Delivery Profile' worksheet, shown in Figure 7, contains all the data required for
generating a 24-hour scenario (forecast). The 24-hour forecast flow for each delivery is
calculated as the delivery case flow multiplied by the demand profile multiplier for each hour.
The user can edit the demand profile multiplier. The 24-hour forecast for the compressor
status may also be edited by the user.
Once the user is satisfied with demand forecast profile and compressor status forecast the
Tools/XLPLS/Create Scenario menu option can be selected. This will then create the PLS
transient scenario file.

Figure 7 Demand Profile Worksheet

10

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

4.2.1

THE DELIVERY PROFILE

The hourly Delivery Profile is shown in Figure 8. The values in the table are the fraction of the
delivery case flow that is required at the specified delivery at the given time. Thus if the case
flow for a delivery is 400 m3/hr and the hourly flow profile is 1.0, 1.2, 1.2, 1.3, 1.2, 1.0, etc.
then the flow scenario data for delivery will be 400, 480, 520,480, 400, etc. N.B. It is important
to remember that these flow values are ramp endpoint values.
It is assumed that the simulation starts at 08:00 AM and completes 24 hours later.
The user can modify the hourly delivery profile as necessary.

Figure 8 Demand Profile

A trend of the proposed delivery flow profile can by viewed by selecting the delivery name in
the select list in cell B29. A typical trend is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 Delivery Demand Profile Trend

4.2.2

THE COMPRESSOR STATUS FORECAST

The hourly compressor status forecast is shown in Figure 10. The hourly status values for the
compressor may be selected by the user. Each cell in the forecast contains a select list of
compressor status values.

Figure 10 Compressor Status Forecast

11

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

4.2.3

4.3

PROCEDURE FOR CREATING CASE FORECAST

9

Enter the 24-hour profile for each delivery as a fraction of the delivery case demand

Select the compressor status for the 24 hour period

Click Tools/ XLPLS/Create Scneario menu option. During the processing, the status
bar displays Busy.

After converting the input data into the required PLS input file, the status bar displays
Ready

RUNNING XLPLS APPLICATION

After creating the case set points and scenario file, select the Tools/ XLPLS/RunPLS menu
option. This will execute the PLS simulation using the generated input setpoints file and
scenario file.
During the simulation, PLS will be visible and you will observe the steady-state and transient
simulation progressing. Once these have completed PLS will terminate and Excel will process
the output files generated by PLS. During this processing the Excel status bar displays
Busy.
Should the steady-state part of the simulation fail, PLS will terminate and the message
Steady State Simulation Failed will appear in cell G6 of the Base Flows sheet.

12

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

APPLICATION OUTPUTS
After successful completion of the PLS simulation, the PLS trend data is loaded back into
Excel and displayed in various formats. The results are shown in the Demand Flow &
Pressure Results, Inventory Results and Trend sheets.

5.1

DEMAND FLOW AND PRESSURE RESULTS

This sheet provides a tabular delivery report showing the required flow, delivered flow and
pressure for each delivery at each hour of the simulation. This report can be used to see if
pressure constraints at the deliveries prevented the requested flow from being met.
The mode change report details which devices have changed mode and when this event
occurred. This report can be used in conjunction with the delivery report to see how well the
requested case demand and demand profile has met the operational constraints.
The total volume of fuel consumed by compressor is also shown.
A typical Demand Flow and Pressure Results sheet is shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 A Demand Flow and Pressure Results Sheet

13

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

5.2

INVENTORY RESULTS
The "Inventory Results" sheet shows graphical time series of data for the inventory of the
pipeline upstream of the compressor, the inventory of the pipeline downstream of the
compressor, the total network inventory and the compressor status (1=ON, 0=OFF).
A sample trend is shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12 Sample Inventory Results

5.3

TREND RESULTS

Figure 13 A Sample Trend Plot

14

User Manual For Demand And Inventory Analysis

The Trend sheet allows the user to select and display any of the trend data generated by
the PLS simulation. The user can select the name of a trend item using the drop down select
list above the trend plot. The selected trend data will be displayed graphically on worksheet.
A sample trend plot is shown in Figure 13.

15