Topological modeling and simulation of large-scale natural gas network.

The aim of this work is to develop an open-source fluid-dynamic modeling tool that allows monitoring, controlling, optimizing the existing gas infrastructures which would be useful for further improvement of gas networks. The modeling can be performed both for the steady state and unsteady state conditions, whereas a transient analysis for large-scale networks loses its meaning. A straightforward approach to model simple gas network is based on a solution of the fluid flow basic governing equations, however a more sophisticated for a complex network has to be developed. The electrical analogy concept is an approach which provides a simpler and more robust model, especially in large networks with different and numerous components. In this study, a new model has been developed to investigate a steady state behavior of a sample gas distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]