Simulation of Air Cooler Operation under Changing Performance of Booster Compressor Station

Gas cooling after compression is one of the main technological operations in the process of its preparation for long-distance transport. Cooling occurs inside special air coolers (AC) due to heat exchange between the gas flow passing inside the finned tubes and atmospheric air blowing through the tubes from the outside by means of fans. One of the issues in the AC operation is the uneven distribution of the temperature field in individual sections and the resulting formation of hydrates in some areas. To prevent this undesirable and dangerous phenomenon, various methods are used, including disconnecting a certain number of fan sections. AC control systems are based mainly on mathematical models, because it is difficult to obtain all the necessary information instrumentally. The article proposes a model that allows controlling the AC operation under the changing performance of a booster compressor station by forming a preventing regulatory effect. This smooths out sharp temperature jumps and prevents overcooling of individual sections of the AC parts thus preventing hydrate formation.