BE1026966B1 - Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for determining gas consumption in a gas network, comprising: - sources (6); - consumers (7); - sensors (9a, 9b, 9c), these sensors comprising at least a number of flow sensors (9a), which measure the flow rate (q ') of the gas consumed by the consumers (7); characterized in that the method comprises the following phases: - a start-up phase (13) in which the aforementioned sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) are calibrated before use; - an operational phase (16) in which the flow rate (q ') and / or volume of gas (v') consumed by each consumer (7) is calculated using a cumulative algorithm and a predetermined, adjustable time horizon (T); - an output phase (17) in which the calculated or determined flow rate (q ') and / or gas volume (v') consumed by each consumer (7) is displayed.

Description

{BE2019 / 5841 1 Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in: a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and a gas network. | The present invention relates to a method for | determining the air consumption in a gas network under | pressure or under vacuum.

More specifically, the invention is designed to reliably determine the gas consumption of the consumers of a gas network. By "gas" is meant here, for example, but not necessarily, air.

Nitrogen or natural gas is also possible.

This gas network can be either under pressure, where the consumers can be, for example, pneumatic tools or under vacuum, where the consumers are applications requiring a vacuum.

A consumer can be an individual consumer as well as a so-called consumer zone or a group of individual consumers.It is useful to know the consumption of the different consumers in a reliable, fast and correct way, so that the gas supply can be adjusted to the consumption or so that irregularities can be detected quickly. Flow and cumulative flow sensors are already known, which can measure the flow and gas consumption of a consumer,

However, it has been found that these sensors are not always | be reliable, this wii say that even in static: conditions the flow supplied by the source or sources is not always equal to the sum of the flow consumed by the 9 5 different consumers. 9 This can have various causes, such as for example that 9 the calibration of the flow sensors is incorrect or that 9 significant leaks / unregistered consumers occur in the 9 10 network.

Some of these causes, such as incorrect calibration, for example, mean that the measurement of the flow rate of the consumer by the sensor is incorrect.

As a consequence, this has a negative impact on the reliability of the reading of the cumulative gas consumption over a certain time horizon (hour, day, week, ... Other Causes, such as the occurrence of YEN Leaks / unregistered consumers, do not necessarily have an inviced on the correctness of the measurement of the flow of the consumer.

The occurrence of leaks / unregistered consumers ensures that even in stationary conditions the supplied flow no longer corresponds to the consumed flow.

However, it is not possible to exclude the cause of the deviation, so that it is also impossible to determine whether the flow measurements are correct. The object of the present invention is to provide at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages and a solution in that

: it provides a reliable method for calculating | of gas consumption in a gas network. The present invention has as object a method for determining and monitoring the gas consumption in a gas network 9 under pressure or under vacuum, the gas network comprising: | - one or more sources of compressed gas or 9 vacutrm; 9 - one or more consumers, consumer zones of 9 LU compressed gas or vacuum applications;

«Pipelines or network of pipelines to transport the compressed gas or vacuum from all sources to the consumers, consumer zones or co-applications:

- several sensors that determine one or more physical parameters of the gas at different times and locations in the gas network, these sensors comprising at least a number of flow sensors, which measure the flow of the gas that is used by the consumers, consumer zones or applications:

with the feature that the gas network may be provided with additional sensors which can register the state or condition of the Dreams, consumers, consumer zones or ton applications and that the method comprises the following phases:

- a start-up phase in which the controlled sensors are calibrated before use:

- an optional leak quantification phase in which electricity / unregistered consumers are quantified on the basis of measurements from the aforementioned sensors;

9 = an operational phase in which the flow and / or gas volume 9 consumed by each consumer, 9 consumer zone, or possibly by the leaks / reeds | registered consumers, is calculated or determined 9 3 with the aid of a cumulative algorithm and a predefined # adjustable time horizon T; = an output phase in which the calculated or determined flow rate and / or gas volume that is consumed by a specific consumer, consumer zone, application, or possibly the leaky / unregistered consumer is displayed.The aforementioned status sensors can detect whether the source, consumer or consumer zone, for example, is on or turned off.

The aforementioned specified adjustable Pass time horizon T is, for example, an hour, day or week. An advantage is that with the aid of such a method, the actual consumption of the consumers can be determined, whether any Leaks or unregistered consumers in the gas network, registered consumers can in practice occur unconsciously during an expansion of an existing gas network.

It is important to note that these leaks can occur in the network itself and, for example, not only at the sources or the consumers, 39

- BE2019 / 5841 “+ | The sensors are also calibrated so that the measurements of the | sensors, in particular flow sensors, are accurate: and comply with the “Mmass-in - Mmass-out” principle. In case the voiumetric flow is measured, the sensors comprise at least one pressure sensor and at least one temperature sensor in the vicinity of the flow sensor.

In that case, taking into account the compressibility of the gas, the mass flow can be derived on the basis of the specified pressure sensors, temperature sensors and the volumetric flow.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of generating a notification when the consumption of a particular consumer and possibly the leak has reached a set, maximum value. On the basis of such a notification or alarm, the appropriate or necessary actions can be taken. the sensors are preferably calibrated in operation or by means of an in-situ self-calibration.

This means that the sensors in the gas network, i.e. after they have been placed, are calibrated.

By “in operation” or “in situ” is meant: calibration without having to dismantle the sensors from the gas network.

In this way, one can be sure that the placement of the sensors themselves does not affect their measurements, because the calibration will only be done after the placement of the sensors,

The invention also relates to a gas network under pressure or under vacuum, which gas network is at least provided with: - one Ol more sources of compressed gas or # vacuum; 9 5 - Are or more consumers, consumer zones of | compressed vas or applicator of vacuum; - pipelines or network of pipelines to transport the gas or vacuum from the sources to the consumers or consumer zones Le; - several sensors which determine one or more physical parameters of the compressed gas at different times and locations in the gas network, these sensors comprising at least a number of flow sensors, which measure the flow rate of the gas taken off by the consumers, consumer zones or applications: characterized in that the gas network is further provided with: - optionally one or more sensors which display the status of the sources, consumers, consumer zones or Ucepassings; - a data acquisition control unit for collecting data from the sensors; - a calculation unit for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The advantages of such a gas network are similar to those of a method according to the invention. With the insight to better demonstrate the characteristics of the invention, some preferred variants of a method and gas network according to the invention are described below, by way of example without any limiting character, with | reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: | figure 1 schematically shows a device according to the; 5 depicts the invention; figure Z represents a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

The gas network 1 from figure 1 mainly falls over a source side 2, a consumer side 3 and a network 4 of pipes 5 between the two. The gas network 1 is in this case a gas network 1 under pressure.

The gas may be air, oxygen or nitrogen or some other preferably non-toxic and / or hazardous gas or mixture of gases. The source side 2 comprises a number of compressors 6, in this case three, which generate compressed air. The consumer side 3 oat sen number of consumers 7 of compressed air and in this case also three, It is not ruled out that there are also compressors 5 upstream of the gas network 1. We then speak of so-called "bocst compressors". The compressed air is transported via the network 4. from pipes from the compressors 6 to the consumers 7.

This network 4 is in most cases a very complex network of pipes 5.

& BE2019 / 5841 {In figure 21 this network 4 is very schematic and | simplified. In most real situations, the network 4 of pipes 5 consists of very Numerous 9 pipes 5 connecting the consumers 7 in series and in parallel with: 3 each other and with the compressors 6. It is not excluded that part of the network 4 a ring structure | assumes or cmvat, 9 This is: because the gas network 1, in the locp of time, is often 9 LU expanded with additional consumers 7 cf compressors 9 6, with new pipes 5 between the already present | pipes 5 have to be laid, which leads to a jumble of pipes 5. The gas network 1 may also be provided with a pressure vessel 8, whereby all compressors 6 discharge on this pressure vessel 8. In this case, the pressure in the pressure vessel is preferably also reduced. measured to correct the “mass-in-mass-ult” principle for large, concentrated volumes.

It is not clear that there are one or more pressure vessels 8 downstream of the gas network 1. Moreover, components 18, such as filters, separators, nebulizers, and / or regulators, can also be provided in the gas network 1. These components 18 can be different combinations occur and can be located both in the vicinity of the buffer vessel 9 and close to the individual consumers 7 or consumer zones, 38

| A number of sensors 9a, Sb, Sc {are also included in the network 4, which sensors are located at different locations in the network À | placed. | In this case, four flow sensors Sa are placed, sen 9 just after the aforementioned pressure vessel 8, which measure the total flow rate € | supplied by all compressors 6, will measure and three plane 9 for the aforementioned consumers 7, which will measure the consumed flow rate # a 'of consumers 7, it is also not excluded 9 10 that the individual flows of the compressors

& are measured themselves, as well as the pressure in the buffer vessel 8. Furthermore, the figure L shows two pressure sensors üb and one temperature sensor Sc, which measures the pressure or the temperature respectively at different locations in the network 4.

It is clear that the number of log sensors Ga, pressure sensors 3b and temperature sensors 50 is not fixed for the invention and there could also be more or less sensors 9a, Sb, Bec of each type.

It is not excluded that, in addition to the flow sensors Da, the pressure sensors 2b and the temperature sensors 9c, alternatively or additionally, sensors Ja, Sb, Sc are used that determine one or more of the following [ysic parameters of the gas: differential pressure, gas velocity or humidity.

Differential pressure sensors are preferably placed over the aforementioned 32 components LE.

Humidity and temperature sensors are preferably mounted at the inlet / outlet of the compressors 6 and the consumers 7.

In the

{example shown are these additional sensors 9a, Sb, | 9c not all included in the gas network 1, but it goes without saying that this is also possible.

Especially in more | extensive and complex gas networks 1, such sensors 9 can be used. : Furthermore, in addition to the aforementioned sensors Sa, 9b, 9c which measure 9 physical parameters of the gas, there are also a number of | sensors Sd, or "Loestandsensors dd", which in the | 10 Duration of the compressors Gy consumers 7 or consumer zones are installed.

These sensors Sd are preferably part of the consumers 7 themselves, in which case they are referred to as smart consumers or smart connected pneumatic devices,

According to the invention, the gas network 1 is further provided with a daltaracgulsitier control unit 10 for collecting data from the aforementioned sensors 9a, 9b, Sc, Sd. In other words: the sensors Yes, 9b, Sc, 9d determine or measure the physical parameters. of the gas and the state of the compressors 6, consumers 7 or consumer zones and send this data to the data acquisition control unit 10. According to the invention, the gas network 1 is further provided with a computing unit 11 for processing the data from the sensors Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, whereby the computing unit 11 will be able to carry out the method according to the invention for determining and monitoring the gas consumption in a gas network, as explained below.

| The aforementioned calculation unit 11 can be a physical module which is a physical part of the gas network 1. It is | it cannot be ruled out that the computation 11 is not a physical module, but a so-called cloud-based computing unit 11,; 5 which may or may not be connected wirelessly to the gas network 1; Ls. This means that the computing unit 11 or the software of: the Rex-humanity 11 is situated in the "cloud". | in this case, the gas network 1 is further provided with a 9 LO monitor 12 for displaying or signaling the calculated | or determined flow rate a 'and / or the gas volume V' consumed by each consumer 7, consumer zone, or possibly the leak.

A message or alarm can then be generated on the monitor 12 when the consumption of a particular consumer or possibly the leak has reached a set maximum value. The operation of the gas network 1 and the method according to the invention is very simple and as follows. Figure 2 illustrates the method for determining and monitoring the gas consumption in the gas network 1 of figure 1 schematically 23 Before, as can be seen in this figure, the method involves a number of phases. A start-up phase 13 is started in which the above-mentioned sensors Yes, Sb, Sc, 90 can be calibrated before use.

{bois already mentioned above, this is preferably done via a | in-situ self-calibration, | Starting from a “leak-free” baseline situation, the # S calibration implies, for example, that for the flow sensors Sa the 9 reation will be imposed that in stationary conditions the supplied flow da is equal to the sum of the consumed | flow rates q 'by the consumers 7. Preferably, the flow rate supplied is measured or calculated at cp. However, the “mass-in-mass-out” principle is adapted for growing, concentrated volumes, such as with buffer vessels 8 or other pressure vessels, by measuring the pressure in the buffer vessel 8 and taking the evolution of the pressure into account, The second phase concerns an optional leak quantification 14 phase in which unrecorded consumers or leaks 15 are quantified on the basis of measurements from the aforementioned sensors Sa, 9b, Sc, Sad, 22 This makes it possible, if any, to compare the leaks 15 occurring in the gas network 1 with the flow rate dg 'consumed by the consumers 7, in the operational phase 16, based on the measurements of the flow sensors. Sc, the flow rate a 'and / or gas volume V determined or calculated that is consumed by each consumer

7. Optically, the consumption of the leak 15, obtained during the leak quantification phase 14, can also be calculated.

. 39 Use is made of a cumulative algorithm with a specified, adjustable time horizon T, for example OFF, day, week, ... By means of any additional status sensors Sd

; (e.g. on / off} of the compressors 6, consumers 7 or | charge zones the: noise sensitivity of the cumulative algorithm can be reduced | so that the cumulative algorithm becomes more reliable, | 5 | in the output stage 17 the flow rate becomes ot and / or gas volume V consumed by each consumer 7, is displayed on the monitor 12.

In addition, but not necessary to the invention, during the output phase 17, Life information related to said leaks 15, as determined during the leak evaluation phase 14, is displayed on the monitor 12.

The optional leak quantification phase 14, the operational phase 16 and the output phase 17 are preferably repeated sequentially, with or without a certain time interval t.

As a result, the flow rate and gas volume consumed by the consumers 7 can be monitored throughout the operational period of the gas network 1 and, for example, not only once during or shortly after the start-up of the casnetwork. The pre-set time interval t can be selected and set depending on the gas network 1. turn into.

For the sake of clarity, it is explicitly stated here that the time interval t should not be confused with the aforementioned time horizon T. In practice, the time horizon T will usually be much larger than the time interval t.

| 14 BE2019 / 5841 Although in the example of figure 1, it concerns a gas network 1 under pressure, it can also be a gas network 1 under vacuum, | The source side 2 then comprises a number of sources of vacuum, ie vacuum pumps or the like: In this case, the consumers 7 or consumer zones 9 have been replaced by applications which require a vacuum, # 10. Furthermore, the method is the same. The present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, but Such a method and gas network according to the invention can be realized according to different variants without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

| Conclusions, 9 Ll. ” Method of determining and monitoring the | 5 gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum, the | gas network {1} comprising; | - one or more sources (6} of compressed cas or of | vacuum; 9 - one or more consumers (7) or consumer zones of | 10 compressed gas or applications of vacuum; | - pipes (5) or network {4} of pipes (5) To transport the compressed gas or vacuum from the sources (6) to the consumers (7), consumer zones or applications: 15 - several sensors (Pa, Sb, Sc} which determine one or more physical parameters of the cas at different times and Locations in the fastwork {1}, these sensors comprising at least a number of flow sensors (9a), which determine the flow rate measure {g "} of the gas consumed by consumers (7) or applications; characterized in that the gas network {1} is optionally provided with one or more sensors {9d} which indicate the position of one or more sources (6), consumers (7), can register consumer zones or applications and that the process comprises the following stages: - a start-up phase (13) in which the aforementioned sensors (Za, 9b, Sc, 30} be calibrated before use; - an optional leak quantification phase {14} in which unrecorded consumers or leaks (15) are quantified based on measurements from the aforementioned sensors (Sa, 9b, Sc, 2d); | = an operational phase (16) in which the flow rate ({q °} | and / or gas volume {V '} that is consumed by each | consumer wa consumer zones, application or 3 possibly the leak / unregistered consumer (15) is calculated or determined with D using a 9 cumulative algorithm and predefined, F adjustable time horizon (T); 9 - an outout phase (17) in which the calculated or determined 9 flow rate (a7) and / or d gas volume (Vi) generated by each | 10 load {7}, consumer zone, application or possibly the leak / unregistered consumer is being used is displayed, Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the flow sensors (Ba) are calibrated by means of an in-situ self-calibration, A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the ourputiasis {17}, information related to said leaks {15}, as determined during the leak quantification phase (14), is displayed. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leak quantification phase {14}, the operational phase (16) and the output phase {17} are repeated sequentially. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said sensors (Sa, Sb, 9c}) have one or more of the following physical parameters of the gas | can determine: pressure, differential pressure, temperature, flow, vessel speed, humidity. 6.- Gas network under pressure or under vacuum, which gas network F 5 {1} is at least provided with: 9 - one or more sources (6) of compressed gas or 9 vacuum; 9 - one or more consumers {7} or consumer zones of compressed gas or vacuum applications; - pipes (5) or network (4} of pipes (5) to transport the gas or vacuum from the sources (6) to the consumers {7} or consumer zones: - several sensors (9a, Sb, 2c) which have one or more determine more physical parameters of the compressed gas at different times and locations in the gas network {1}, these sensors including at least a number of flow sensors (9a), which measure the flow (q '} of the gas supplied by the consumers (73, consumer zones or applications are taken off; characterized in that the gas network (1) is further provided with: = optionally one or more sensors {9d} whose position or condition of one or more sources (6), consumers (7), consumer zones or applications = a data acquisition control unit {10} FOR collecting data from the sensors (9a, 8b, Bo, Sd): «a computing unit {11} for performing the method according to any one of the preceding claims. ; 18 BE2019 / 5841 | Gas network according to claim 6, characterized in that | the gas network (1) is further provided with a monitor (12) | for displaying the calculated or determined flow rate {g '}: and gas volume {V'} consumed by each consumer, {8, - Gas network according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the gas network {1} is further provided with a monitor {12} for | just displaying a message when the consumption of a 9 specific consumer or leak / unregistered consumer has reached a 16 set maximum value, Gas network according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to ë, characterized in that the sensors {9d) which can register the position or status of a consumer {7} are part of the consumers (7) themselves. Gas network according to any one of the preceding claims € to 9, characterized in that the computing unit (11) is a cloud-based computing unit {11}, which may or may not be connected to the gas network (1} by wire.