The pump systems (pump+driver) used in a pump station are selected based on the type of fluid or batch. The selection is of the more efficient pump systems for that batch. Less efficient pumps are avoided. When a new batch is detected, the selection is performed again for that new batch, which may result in a different combinations of pump systems for a given pump station. If variable speed pump drives are available, the efficiency at the desired speed is used for selection. The cost of energy (utilities) by pump station may alternatively or additionally be used to select the speed or combination of pump systems. The pump station and pipeline operation is optimized for efficiency of pump systems and/or cost of energy (utilities) for the different pump systems based on pipeline inventory and local utilities tariffs.

Improved systems and techniques are disclosed for controlling the security states of anti-theft security systems such as product display assemblies using security fobs. The tasks relating to fob authentication are offloaded to a computer system, and these authentications can be based on identifiers for the different security fobs. The interactions between security fobs and product display assemblies can be consistent regardless of the population of authorized security fobs by using a security code that is shared by the security fobs. When attempting to use a security fob to change a security status for a product display assembly, the provision of the code to the subject product display assembly can be predicated on authorization of the subject security fob by the computer system. The computer system can maintain a list of identifiers for authorized security fobs that is easily updated when new security fobs are added to or existing security fobs are de-authorized from the system.

A fluid supply system (150) adapted for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions and for supplying a resultant mixture, the fluid supply system (150) comprising a plurality of solvent supply lines (104 to 107), each fluidically connected with a fluid source (100 to 103) providing a respective fluid, a pumping unit (110) comprising a reciprocating element (115) adapted for intaking fluid supplied at an inlet of the pumping unit (110) and for supplying the pressurized fluid at an outlet of the pumping unit (110), wherein the pumping unit (110) is adapted for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and for supplying a pressurized mixture of the fluids at its outlet, a proportioning valve (108) interposed between the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and the inlet of the pumping unit (110), the proportioning valve (108) adapted for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) with the inlet of the pumping unit (110), and a longitudinal mixing unit (152) adapted for mixing longitudinally subsequent sections of the fluids so as to modify their succession in flow direction.

A fluid supply system (150) adapted for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions and for supplying a resultant mixture, the fluid supply system (150) comprising a plurality of solvent supply lines (104 to 107), each fluidically connected with a fluid source (100 to 103) providing a respective fluid, a pumping unit (110) comprising a reciprocating element (115) adapted for intaking fluid supplied at an inlet of the pumping unit (110) and for supplying the pressurized fluid at an outlet of the pumping unit (110), wherein the pumping unit (110) is adapted for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and for supplying a pressurized mixture of the fluids at its outlet, a proportioning valve (108) interposed between the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) and the inlet of the pumping unit (110), the proportioning valve (108) adapted for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines (104 to 107) with the inlet of the pumping unit (110), and a longitudinal mixing unit (152) adapted for mixing longitudinally subsequent sections of the fluids so as to modify their succession in flow direction.

Following an explosion, fire, flood, water damage, or other event, consumption data of utility resources such as gas and water may be used to determine a cause of the event. For example, an interrogation may be used to read data logging data from a data collection device. The data logging data may include a record of consumption data for a resource spanning a time of an event. The data logging data may be analyzed to determine whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event.

A flow management system includes an adjustable compactor configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an extended configuration and a reference configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the adjustable compactor, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field that causes extension of the adjustable compactor for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to remove the electric field at the adjustable compactor to cause the adjustable compactor to return to the reference configuration for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

A flow management system includes an adjustable compactor configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an extended configuration and a reference configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the adjustable compactor, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field that causes extension of the adjustable compactor for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to remove the electric field at the adjustable compactor to cause the adjustable compactor to return to the reference configuration for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

A gas supplying device has a plurality of connectors each of which is configured to be connected to a container stored in the corresponding one of supplying storage sections, supply lines configured to divide and supply gas to the plurality of connectors, and a mass flow controller configured to control a flow rate of gas that flows through one of the supply lines. The supply lines include first supply lines each of which is installed to a corresponding supplying storage sections, a second supply line installed upstream of the first supply lines, and a branching supply line for dividing gas supplied from the second supply line into the first supply lines. The mass flow controller is installed in the second supply line and in an installation area.

A pre-alarming method, a control method, and a control system for a harmful flow pattern in an oil and gas pipeline-riser system are provided. Support vector machines are trained. Through at least three pressure difference signals on the pipeline-riser system, an overall flow pattern in the pipeline-riser system is continuously and rapidly identified. Depending on monitoring on formation of a long liquid slug in a seabed pipeline and a quick response of the mean value of each pressure difference signal on a flow rate change, pre-alarming for a liquid slug caused by different mechanisms is realized, and liquid slug formation positions respectively of seabed pipeline and riser bottom are correspondingly pre-alarmed; after a pre-alarm is issued, there is enough time for a control device to respond, so as to avoid formation of the harmful flow pattern or damages caused by the harmful flow pattern.

A pre-alarming method, a control method, and a control system for a harmful flow pattern in an oil and gas pipeline-riser system are provided. Support vector machines are trained. Through at least three pressure difference signals on the pipeline-riser system, an overall flow pattern in the pipeline-riser system is continuously and rapidly identified. Depending on monitoring on formation of a long liquid slug in a seabed pipeline and a quick response of the mean value of each pressure difference signal on a flow rate change, pre-alarming for a liquid slug caused by different mechanisms is realized, and liquid slug formation positions respectively of seabed pipeline and riser bottom are correspondingly pre-alarmed; after a pre-alarm is issued, there is enough time for a control device to respond, so as to avoid formation of the harmful flow pattern or damages caused by the harmful flow pattern.