Entropy-based reliability analysis of pipeline system for gas transmission and distribution

The pipeline system for gas transmission and distribution is the major urban infrastructure, thus it is very important to guarantee the operation reliability of the system. Based on the information entropy theory and maximum entropy principle, the concept of path entropy is proposed. The path entropy is used to quantitatively measure the uncertainty of flow distribution in the paths from the gas source to the nodes. The calculating model of path entropy is developed by defining the path flow ratio to establish the probabilistic space of the path entropy. The path entropy reflected the features of the flow resistance for the pipeline system indirectly, the bigger the path entropy, the better the hydraulic capability of the node.