The linear-analog method: A more efficient and effective linearization method for natural gas transportation optimization

With the growth in natural gas usage, the optimization of gas pipeline transportation becomes increasingly important. Here we propose employing a Linear-Analog method for linearizing the Weymouth flow constraint in gas network optimization. We show that unlike the other two linearization methods used in this area, the Linear-Analog method not only ensures flow solutions consistent with the physical flow law but also entails less computation time. The latter advantage is particularly important for large gas networks. In addition, we illustrate the differences between maximizing throughput and maximizing economic welfare. Compared to maximizing throughput, maximizing economic welfare serves to increase supply from low-cost gas supply nodes, and direct that supply toward high-cost gas demand nodes.