Modelling of a pressure regulator

With the increase of gas consumption and the expansion of the associated distribution network, a research program was set up to study the stability and to simulate the main characteristics of the dynamic behaviour of any type of pressure regulator. The modelling of a pressure regulating station is based on hydraulic, mechanical and valve models. The library of models is validated on one type of pressure regulator and simulations are in good agreement with measurements. The study showed that the operating conditions and installation requirements have the greatest influence on the stability of the pressure regulator. From measurements and simulations, the amplitudes of the downstream pressure are particularly sensitive to the size of the downstream volume and to upstream pressure.