GASWorkS™

The "standard" version of GASWorkS™ is a Windows-based steady-state network modeling tool. It is designed to assist the engineering professional analyze and design distribution, gathering, transmission, and fuel piping systems containing natural gas or other compressible fluids. Support is provided for systems comprised of fittings, compressors, pipes, regulators, valves, and wells. In addition, a robust set of import and export routines allows for data exchange with a variety of CAD, GIS, and Database applications.

GASWorkS has continued to evolve since our first quite simple but effective version of the software was released in 1991. Our latest release sports a very sophisticated map-style graphical data interface, a quick solution routine, and provides support for a number of different model elements, including support for individual customer features. GASWorkS provides an extensive set of network modeling tools designed to assist the User analyze and design distribution, transmission, gathering, and plant piping systems conveying natural gas or other compressible fluids.

GASWorkS may be used to create steady-state models of systems containing not only standard pipe type elements but also supports regulator, compressor, valve, well, and fitting type elements. GASWorkS calculates the estimated valve coefficient for regulators and the estimated power and fuel requirements for compressors. A pipe sizing function is provided to assist in determining the required size for selected pipes in the model.

The Solution Method - GASWorkS uses a Newton-Nodal, iterative method of solution. It supports a variety of pipe flow equations - with an equation suitable for essentially all natural gas applications.

The solution routine provides an efficient solution for virtually any sized model - tested to 250,000 nodes. Solution options allow flowing temperature to be calculated based on environmental heat loss and gain. Gas properties can be calculated at specific locations, including specific gravity, viscosity, ratio of specific heats, and heating value, based on the gas composition. Mixed gas properties throughout the system can be calculated based on the flow distribution. Compressibility can be calculated using one of several methods.

The Graphical Data Interface - The Graphical Data Interface (GDI) provides map-style graphical access to the model data. The GDI allows the inclusion of bitmap (BMP), Drawing Interchange File (DXF), Keyhole Mark-up Language (KML), Portable Document Format (PDF), Shapefile (SHP), Tagged Image File (TIF) images, and images from a Geographic Map Service as a reference background. Using the GDI, the User can draw the model schematic using point-and-click mouse entry, coordinate value entry, or relative distance and angle entry. The GDI provides a scrollable "data panel" for editing and viewing of the various pipe, node, and customer data and analysis results.

The GDI includes a wide variety of tools for modifying the pipe, node, and customer model features, including routines for adding, deleting, and moving features - and the ability to undo accidental changes and deletions. Three independent display panels support various zoom commands, including the ability to zoom in by a User specified window, zoom by a User specified scale, and zoom to a previous view, allowing the User to easily move around the model image. A robust set of color coding and tracing routines enhance the User’s ability to graphically review the analysis results and the system’s performance. The trace routines are complemented by the inclusion of what we refer to as “valve nodes." The valve node feature was developed to assist in the design and layout of emergency isolation areas. A complete set of annotation routines allows the User to include notes and references in the model graphics.

The GDI display can include: Two-point, polyline, and arc style pipe symbols • Node, customer, and service line symbols • Pipe, node, and customer data values as text • Piping symbols for non-pipe type elements • User defined annotation, graphic lines, and shapes • Flow direction arrows • Marker Flags • And multiple background reference images. The User may customize the GDI's display properties by setting display colors, line and symbol types, and display size and width.

The GDI tools are accessed through descriptive tool icons contained on function-based “fly-out” toolbars, through a command line and list interface, and through a User definable tool palette, which can be organized and arranged to meet the User's specific preference.

The Report Routines - The Report routines provide spreadsheet-style reporting of the model data, attribute data, and analysis results - including the ability to edit data directly from within the report by simply selecting the cell you wish to edit and making the desired change. The User may select the items to be included in the report by collapsing the columns associated with the unwanted items.

The Pipe Report provides a comprehensive collection of information, including reporting of both size/type and internal diameter values, reporting of pipe inlet, outlet, and average pressures, flow rates, velocities, and volumes, and simultaneous reporting of linear and pressure drop per User specified length. Selection sets may be created from within the standard reports, allowing unique reporting of User specified data groups. Hierarchical queries allow the creation of sub-sets from a previously created selection set.

Reports may be printed to any Windows-supported device, allowing the selection of paper orientation and font size and type. Pipe, node, and customer data can be viewed using the “standard” spreadsheet-style report - summary, data error, solution log, and exception reports are also provided. Custom reports may be created by exporting the model data to a third-party database, spreadsheet, or word processor application.

Import & Export Routines - GASWorkS includes an extensive set of import and export routines allowing data to be exchanged between a variety of applications. Support is provided for DBF and CSV data files, third-party model files, KML and SHP GIS files, and DXF CAD files allowing, the import and export of graphical data.

The DXF, KML, and SHP import routines allow the automated creation of a GASWorkS model from a CAD drawing or GIS data set. “Quick Export” routines are provided to allow the export of complete model data with a single click.

Customer Features - Using the UKDM, diversified load values for antenna or looped-type network configurations can be automatically distributed using the British IGE calculation standards. An external database may be attached to the GASWorkS customer data features. This is especially useful for connecting billing file data to the model data.

Main Attribute Features - An external database may be attached to the GASWorkS pipe data features. This is useful for maintaining non-model attribute data such as an address, pipe specification, test pressure, and MAOP values.

Node Attribute Features - An external database may be attached to the GASWorkS node data features, which is useful when applying load (or supply) values directly to the nodes using an external database.

User Interface - Each of the GASWorkS routines are accessed through its friendly and efficient point-and-click User interface. GASWorkS is fully menu-driven and provides logical data entry screens and dialog boxes which guide the User through the required entry. Online help, including an extensive collection of how-to topics, is just a click away.

Optional Modules - The UK Design Module provides a variety of functions and routines to assist the User in performing design activities specific to the natural gas industry in the United Kingdom, including the IGE diversity calculation methods.

Maintenance & Updates - Updates and support are included in the subscription price. An additional maintenance fee may be applied for custom installations or in cases where a non-standard license agreement is used. Technical support on the use of the software is provided by way of telephone or email communication at no additional fee.

The UK Design Module (UKDM) is an optional set of features to the GASWorkS™ software. The included features are designed to closely support the requirements of the United Kingdom (UK) Institution of Gas Engineers guidance documents IGE/GL/1, IGE/TD/3, and IGE/TD/4. The UKDM version includes various common UK-specific design methods and practices and features and routines which have been requested by past and current UK Users of GASWorkS.

Some UK Users may be familiar with GASWorkS 8.0. This version of GASWorkS was a custom version only available to Fulcrum Connections and was never commercialized. Some of the features and data items found in the UKDM are similar to features and items found in GASWorkS 8.0; however, the UKDM version of GASWorkS does not wholly or completely duplicate the GASWorkS 8.0 features or data set.

The optional features associated with the UKDM version include...

Units Conversion - Dimensional Units conversion utility. Allows a quantity in a specified dimensional unit (for example, length in metres) to be converted to an equivalent value in another selected dimensional unit (for example, feet).

Energy Conversion - Fuel/energy type comparison and conversion utility. Allows a quantity in a specified fuel/energy type (for example, KW electricity) to be converted to an equivalent value in another selected fuel/energy type (for example, m3 of natural gas).

Diversity Calculation Utility - Allows calculation of diversified hourly loads based on specified heating type, annual heating load, and customer count.

Pipe Segment Calculator - Allows calculation of various hydraulic values associated with flow in a single pipe segment, including pressure drop, maximum flow rate, minimum pipe size, maximum length, velocity, and more.

Specialized Reports - Provides four specialized reports, known as the Main and Service Authorisation Reports and Main and Service Assumption Reports. The format of these reports is similar to reports found in GASWorkS 8.0. The reports are saved in comma delimited format that can be viewed and manipulated in many third-party spreadsheet applications.

Pipe Property Table - Special handling of the "allow calculation" and "sizing group" items are provided in the Pipe Property Table and pipe sizing routines.

Pipe Attributes - A custom-linked pipe attribute file is provided to allow specialized handling of attributes along a pipe/main feature. A special type of pipe vertex, known as a Pipe Attribute Marker, is provided to allow segregating of a pipe feature into multiple segments. Each segment can possess unique attribute values. Special commands are provided to allow manipulation and management of the attribute markers.

Customer Attributes - A custom-linked customer attribute file is provided to allow specialized handling of attributes along a customer service line and associated with a customer. A special type of service vertex, known as a Customer Attribute Marker, is provided to allow segregating of a service line into multiple segments. Each segment can possess unique attribute values. Special commands are provided to allow manipulation of the attribute markers.

Custom Fittings - A set of specialized fittings are provided for use with the service sizing routines. This feature allows a fitting to be specified by type (for example, a 90-degree elbow) as opposed to a specific size and type (for example, 63mm 90-degree elbow). The sizing routine selects the appropriate size and associated equivalent length value depending on the required service size.

Connections & Terminations - Similar to the custom fittings, connections, and terminations can be specified as a type (for example, “Tapping Tee” or “House Entry”). The appropriate size and associated equivalent length value, depending on the required service size, will be used during the sizing routine.

Service Line Calculation - A set of special features, attributes, commands, and calculation routines are provided that support the calculation of the service line size based on specified load data, configuration, and sizing criteria. The routine supports the calculation of “composite” (dual-sized) services.

Special Graphic Display Features - Attribute segment numbers and a change in size symbol for composite services can be displayed in the Graphic Data Interface.

Special Plotting Features - A special map scale syntax is provided. A User defined title block can be included with the plot output. A special editor is provided for creating and revising a title block definition.

Bill Of Materials List - A routine is included to create a generic Bill-Of-Materials list for the associated project. The lists include User specified fittings, connections, terminations, automatically generated fittings, etc. The list can be viewed in GASWorkS or in any third-party application that supports the “.csv” file format. 

Pricing & Licensing - The UKDM is an optional set of features for the GASWorkS software. The cost of the module is in addition to the cost of the GASWorkS software. The cost of the UKDM is $495 USD per license - one license per User. 

The GASWorkS™ Viewer allows view-only access to previously created GASWorkS models. Allowing the data and results contained in a model to be safely shared with others.

The Viewer is provided free of charge as a complimentary service to the GASWorkS community.