Segmented Pipeline Using Component Array

This example shows how you can model a segmented pipeline using a component array. This segmented pipeline model is a composite component that consists of N identical segments connected in series. Individual pipe segments are represented by the Pipe (IL) blocks from the Foundation library. N is a parameter that the block user can modify.

component SegmentedPipeline
  parameters
     N = 10; 			% Number of segments
     segm_length = { 5, 'm' }; 	% Length of each segment
  end

  % Ports at the two ends of the pipeline
  nodes
     A = foundation.isothermal_liquid.isothermal_liquid; % A:left
     B = foundation.isothermal_liquid.isothermal_liquid; % B:right
  end

  % Declare array of N components
  for i=1:N
     components (ExternalAccess=none)
	pipe(i) = foundation.isothermal_liquid.elements.pipe(length = segm_length);
     end
  end

  % Connect all segments in series
  for i=1:(N-1)
     connections
	connect(pipe(i).B, pipe(i+1).A);
     end
  end

  % Connect two ends of pipeline to first and last segment, respectively
  connections
     connect(A, pipe(1).A);
     connect(B, pipe(N).B);
  end
end

In this example, for the sake of simplicity, the SegmentedPipeline component has only two modifiable parameters: N (Number of segments) and segm_length (Length of each segment). However, you can make other parameters of the underlying Pipe (IL) block accessible from the top-level composite component block dialog, as described in Parameterizing Composite Components. Parameter N, which defines the array size and is going to be used as the upper limit for the for-loop iterator, is declared as a unitless integer.

Use a for-loop to declare an array of N member components:

  for i=1:N
     components (ExternalAccess=none)
	pipe(i) = foundation.isothermal_liquid.elements.pipe(length = segm_length);
     end
  end

In this example, all the pipe segments have the same length. For an example of array component members having different parameter values, see Case Study — Battery Pack with Fault Using Arrays.

Use another for-loop to connect all segments in series, by connecting node B of each pipe segment (except the last one) to node A of the next segment:

  for i=1:(N-1)
     connections
	connect(pipe(i).B, pipe(i+1).A);
     end
  end

Finally, connect the internal chain of segments to the two ends of pipeline, by connecting node A of the composite component to node A of the first segment and connecting node B of the composite component to node B of the last segment:

  connections
     connect(A, pipe(1).A);
     connect(B, pipe(N).B);
  end
end

The resulting block has two isothermal liquid ports, A and B, and two modifiable parameters: Number of segments and Length of each segment.

Segmented Pipeline Using Component Array

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