ASPEN HYDRAULICS - GAS GATHERING
SYSTEM SIMULATION
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
INTRODUCTION :
In this document, we present an alternative approach to performing
piping calculations in Aspen HYSYS. Instead of relying on the standard
"Pipe Segment" operation, this module utilizes the Aspen Hydraulics
sub-flowsheet feature available in HYSYS Upstream. Aspen Hydraulics
offers enhanced capabilities for simulating both single pipelines and
complex network systems, providing increased flexibility and accuracy
in hydraulic modeling
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
By integrating Aspen Hydraulics, users can define specific boundary
conditions around the sub-flowsheet, enabling the calculation of
unknown variables and accommodating a wide range of operating
scenarios. This method delivers a more robust and dynamic solution
for modeling fluid flow behavior in various piping systems, making it
particularly valuable in upstream and midstream process applications.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
ASPEN HYDRAULICS OVERVIEW:
Aspen Hydraulics can be used to simulate a wide variety of piping situations
ranging from single/multiphase plant piping with rigorous heat transfer estimation,
to large capacity, looped pipeline problems. It offers the pressure drop correlations
developed by HTFS and the commonly used Beggs and Brill. The heat transfer can
be estimated in detail including multiple layers of insulation both inside and outside
the pipe.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
FLUID PKGS IN ASPEN HYDRAULICS :
Aspen Hydraulics will always use a COM Thenno fluid package for its calculations.
If the fluid package of the main flowsheet is not a COM Thenno fluid package,
Aspen Hydraulics will create a new COM Thenno fluid Package that uses a default
Peng Robinson equation of state and the component list of the main flowsheet fluid
package. To maintain control over the fluid package being used, it is advisable to
set up the Simulation Basis with a COM Thenno fluid package in the main
flowsheet.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION IN ASPEN HYDRAULICS
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION OF A PIPELINE SEGMENT IN
ASPEN HYDRAULICS
Objective:
To model a gas gathering system using Aspen Hydraulics in HYSYS
Upstream and analyze the pressure drop, flow behavior, elevation impact,
and mixing points in a network of buried pipelines.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION OF A PIPELINE SEGMENT IN
ASPEN HYDRAULICS
Description
A gathering system located on varied terrain is simulated using the Aspen
Hydraulics capabilities of Aspen HYSYS Upstream. The following figure
shows the physical configuration of this system superimposed on a
topographic map. The system consists of four wells distributed over an
area of approximately 2.0 square km, connected to a gas plant by a network
of pipelines.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION OF A PIPELINE SEGMENT IN
ASPEN HYDRAULICS
Topographie Map
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 1: Define Simulation Basis
Import component list from Hydraulics [Link], including natural gas and
Use COmthermo Fluid Pkgs and Peng-Robinson (HysysPR) EOS for both vapor and
liquid phases.
In Model Options, set Molar Volume and Molar Density to Costald models.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 2: Add Hydraulics Sub-Flowsheet
Use Aspen HYSYS Upstream > Aspen Hydraulics to add a sub-flowsheet to the PFD.
Add 4 gas wells with specified temperature, pressure, and flowrate:
Well 1: 40°C, 4000 kPa, 425 kgmol/h
Well 2: 45°C, 3500 kPa, 375 kgmol/h
Well 3: 45°C, 3800 kPa, 575 kgmol/h
Well 4: 35°C, 4000 kPa, 545 kgmol/h
Import stream compositions s.
Connect all four wells as external feed streams into the sub-flowsheet
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 2: Add Hydraulics Sub-Flowsheet
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 3: Build the Piping Network
Inside the sub-flowsheet, construct the pipeline
system.
Use Aspen Hydraulics unit operations:
Pipe and Complex Pipe to model terrain
variations.
Mixer to represent junctions combining flows
from different wells.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 3: Build the Piping Network
Assign pipe diameters based on the schematic:
3", 4", and 6" pipes depending on the branch.
Include elevation profiles to reflect the topography (e.g., 670 m to 1980 m).
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 4: Define Boundary Conditions
Set known outlet pressure (gas plant inlet).
Leave inlet pressures unspecified — Aspen will calculate them.
Apply Reference Conditions for each feed stream to define thermodynamic states.
Use built-in Beggs & Brill or HTFS methods for pressure drop and multiphase flow
correlations.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 4: Define Boundary Conditions
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION STEPS OVERVIEW
Step 5: Heat Transfer Contributions
Simulate buried pipes (1 m deep in dry peat, ambient 12°C).
No insulation assumed.
Include ambient heat transfer through the soil.
Analyze heat loss and its impact on pressure and flow performance.
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION RESULTS
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION RESULTS
View results for:
Pressure drop across branches
Temperature changes
Flow distribution at mixers
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
SIMULATION RESULTS
Exemple :
Pressure drop across branches
Temperature changes
Flow distribution at mixers
Aymen YABRAM Aymenyabram1@[Link]
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