In the area of subsea processing and production there is a need for simple, yet efficient mathematical models describing complex phenomena and behaviours of different equipment. These models can be used for example for conceptual design of subsea processes and dynamic simulation of (interconnected) equipment as well as model-based controller design and the test of control structures in an overall (high level) setup.

A major part of the sub-project will be to coordinate model development performed in the other activities in the System Control area and to cooperate with other sub-projects in the orher reseach areas. These modelling activities will cover equipment in the whole chain from reservoir to the product export. The biggest area is thereby the modelling of separators such as phase splitters, gravity separators, cylindrical cyclones and in-line (swirl) separators. Furthermore, the large area of boosting devices, such as compressors (dry- and wetgas), as well as pumps (single- and multi-phase), can be investigated, although this is not a main research area in the SUBPRO project. In addition, heat transfer phenomena and heat exchangers, membranes, as well as valves/chokes and pipes are potential areas for modelling activities.

Further more, the choice of a simulation environment / programming language is crucial in order to test and verify the obtained mathematical models. In the first stage, the models will be designed and tested in the tools MATLAB/SIMULINK. However, also Modelica will be used, in cooperation with Statoil. At later stages, it should be possible to implement the mathematical models in commercial software, such as OLGA. This can possibly be achieved by interconnecting different simulation environments, for example MATLAB with OLGA, in order to test sophisticated control structures. The ultimate goal is to build a model library for subsea processes, including models for the most crucial equipment mentioned above, but also for novel control structures based on the obtained models.