A blockage detection model based on the pressure wave method for natural gas condensate pipelines

Abstract

To address the precision constraints of conventional pressure wave models in complex subsea gas condensate pipeline environments, this research proposes an obstruction localization technique incorporating both wave speed adjustment and valve parameter refinement. The approach employs pressure transients induced by regulated valve depressurization at subsea manifolds. Through integration of the Method of Characteristics with comprehensive valve behavior simulation, a sophisticated computational framework is developed to concurrently execute wave transmission evaluation and blockage diagnosis. Experimental validation via a laboratory-scale flow loop demonstrates significant enhancement in detection precision through wave speed compensation. A key innovation lies in the algorithm's capacity to establish quantitative relationships between valve actuation duration and induced pressure wave magnitude, offering a robust and precise methodology for subsea pipeline integrity assessment.