INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2004; 44:257–275 (DOI: 10.1002/d.636) Simulation of transient ow in pipelines for computer-based operations monitoring H. E. Emara-Shabaik 1; ∗; † , Y. A. Khulief 2 and I. Hussaini 2 1 Department of Systems Engineering; King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals; KFUPM Box 1783; Dhahran 31261; Saudi Arabia 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering; King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals; KFUPM Box 1783; Dhahran 31261; Saudi Arabia SUMMARY Computer models can provide the basis for real-time monitoring and control of uid ow in pipelines. Problems of uid ow in pipelines are mathematically represented by a non-linear system of coupled partial dierential equations. In this paper, several numerical techniques are evaluated with respect to their suitability for the purpose of real-time monitoring of uid ow in pipelines. The proposed techniques are evaluated in terms of the L 1 , the L 2 , and the L∞ error norms. Moreover, the developed simulators will be compared in terms of their speed of response and settling time which are essential factors for an eective real-time monitoring scheme. Finally, the selected simulation scheme is further tested under assumed pipeline leak conditions. Copyright ? 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY WORDS: uid ow in pipelines; numerical methods; real-time monitoring; pipeline leak simulation 1. INTRODUCTION The operation of pipelines carrying vital uids is of prime concern from safety and economic points of view. The safe and optimal operation of these pipelines can be eectively and economically achieved via computer-based operation monitoring with much reduced need for otherwise expensive sensors and hardware. Nowadays, system-based techniques implemented on fast computers can replace the heavily instrumented pipeline congurations, which are costly to install and maintain, in achieving safe and optimal pipeline operation. The success of such techniques for pipelines monitoring and control hinges on the development of reliable ∗ Correspondence to: H. E. Emara-Shabaik, Systems Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KFUPM, P.O. Box 1783, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia. † E-mail: shabaik@ccse.kfupm.edu.sa Contract=grant sponsor: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) Contract=grant sponsor: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); contract=grant number: AR-17-34 Received 24 June 2002 Copyright ? 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Revised 24 February 2003