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Optimization of tree-structured gas distribution network using ant colony optimization: A case study

Mohajeri, A ; Sharif University of Technology | 2012

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ije.2012.25.02a.04
  3. Publisher: Materials and Energy Research Center , 2012
  4. Abstract:
  5. An Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is proposed for optimal tree-structured natural gas distribution network. Design of pipelines, facilities, and equipment systems are necessary tasks to configure an optimal natural gas network. A mixed integer programming model is formulated to minimize the total cost in the network. The aim is to optimize pipe diameter sizes so that the location-allocation cost is minimized. Pipeline systems in natural gas network must be designed based on gas flow rate, length of pipe, gas maximum pressure drop allowance, and gas maximum velocity allowance. We use the information regarding gas flow rates and pipe diameter sizes considering the gas pressure and velocity restrictions. We apply the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) technique to obtain a network with minimum number of arcs, spanning all the nodes with no cycle. As a main contribution here, we present and use an ant colony optimization algorithm for solving the problem. The proposed method is applied to a real life situation. Our obtained results are compared to the ones obtained by an exact method. The results show that ACO is an effective approach for gas distribution network optimization. A case study in Mazandaran Gas Company in Iran is conducted to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach
  6. Keywords:
  7. Natural-gas network ; Artificial intelligence ; Computer programming ; Flow of gases ; Flow rate ; Gas industry ; Gases ; Natural gas ; Optimization ; Piping systems ; Public utilities ; Trees (mathematics) ; Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) ; Ant Colony Optimization algorithms ; Equipment system ; Exact methods ; Gas companies ; Gas distribution network ; Gas pressures ; Location-allocation ; Maximum pressure ; Maximum velocity ; Minimum spanning trees ; Mixed integer programming model ; Natural gas networks ; Pipe diameter ; Pipe-line systems ; Total costs ; Algorithms
  8. Source: International Journal of Engineering, Transactions A: Basics ; Volume 25, Issue 2 , 2012 , Pages 141-158 ; 17281431 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.ije.ir/abstract/%7BVolume:25-Transactions:A-Number:2%7D/=1197