CONTROL SYSTEM IN A GAS PIPELINE NETWORK TO SATISFY PRESSURE CONSTRAINTS

Controlling flow of gas in a gas pipeline network, wherein flow within each pipeline segment is associated with a direction (positive or negative). Minimum and maximum signed flow rates are calculated for each pipeline segment constituting lower and upper bounds, respectively, for flow in each pipeline segment. A nonlinear pressure drop relationship is linearized within the lower and upper flow bounds to create a linear pressure drop model for each pipeline segment. A network flow solution is calculated, using the linear pressure drop model, and includes flow rates for each pipeline segment to satisfy demand constraints and pressures for each of a plurality of network nodes to satisfy pressure constraints. Lower and upper bounds on the pressure constraint comprise a minimum delivery pressure and a maximum operating pressure, respectively. The network flow solution is associated with control element setpoints used by a controller to control one or more control elements.