BRPI0804979A2 - process and apparatus for fluid distribution management and apparatus production process - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a process and apparatus for managing the distribution of fluids at various stations, aimed at reducing electricity consumption, among other benefits, as well as an apparatus production process.

Description

Patent Invention Descriptive Report

Process and Apparatus for Fluid Distribution Management and Apparatus Production Process

Field of the Invention

The present invention describes a method and apparatus for managing the distribution of fluids in various stations, aimed at reducing electricity consumption, among other benefits, as well as an apparatus production process.

The present invention is in the field of engineering, covering, among others, the areas of hydraulics, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, automation engineering, electrical engineering, control, transport and fluid dynamics.

Background of the Invention

The state of the art consists in providing means for water transport in several stages, including: water collection, treatment and distribution. At all these steps, water is normally pumped between reservoirs. In the first stage, the abstraction, water usually flows through gravity to a reservoir. From this, the water is pumped to another reservoir, where it will receive various treatments (chemical, bacteriological, etc.). From this, the water is pumped into a distribution network that contains essentially other reservoirs, such as residential water tanks, pumping stations, among others.

During transport, the energy provided by the pump ensures that the water has a sufficient pressure differential to reach its destination tank, even if it is very high compared to the original tank.

In the particular case of supplying residential buildings, the water supplied by the concessionaire is pumped from a concessionaire reservoir until it reaches the immediate vicinity of the building it intends to supply. The water flow meter that reaches the building (commonly called the clock) is used to compute the amount that the utility will charge the building for water supply services. This devazion meter represents the boundary between the utility's distribution network and the building's internal distribution network.

Thus, from the moment the watch is crossed, the water is considered delivered by the concessionaire, and the distribution of this water internally within the building is the responsibility of the building management, which usually opt for the inclusion of other water storage apparatus, such as cisterns and Water boxes.

For internal supply and transportation between the various water storage devices, the use of hydraulic pumps is common. These pumps are responsible for raising water, for example, from cisterns to water tanks (usually the tanks are at the base of the building, while the water tanks are at the top of the building).

Once the water is pumped into the water tank, the building supplies gravity, that is, when you turn on a faucet in, say, an apartment, the water seeps through the building's internal pipe and supplies the apartment.

As water is used, the volume of water in the water box decreases. To prevent it from running out, a sensing device (commonly called a float or float) controls the water level in the water tank, so that whenever the level reaches a certain low value, the float, through a electrical signal sent to the pump determines the start of the pumping operation.

The pump begins to pump water into the water tank until the water level in the water tank is restored to a certain level considered satisfactory. At this time, the float determines to stop the pump operation.

Thus, the pump operates in such a way as to keep the water level of the water tank always within certain reliable values. Due to the reliability of the water supply, many countries have adopted a hydraulic distribution system that, within the buildings, includes the use of water. of water tanks and cisterns.

When using this system, the end user does not realize any possible cut in the water supply because the reservoir meets the demand until the supply is restored.

However, what is not clear to the user is that he is paying (and paying dearly) to have this water reserve. This is because, as the reserve is built, the pump responsible for pumping always has to raise the water to the maximum height of the building, which is the reservoir. In fact, in many cases, the user pays more for maintaining the reserve than for the water consumed.

In the patent area, some documents describe methods of managing hydraulic systems.

US 4,777,797 describes a hydraulic system, typically used in agricultural tractors, which has as its main feature the maintenance of the suction of the control pump in order to prevent damage to the pump. It also has a second pump that supplies the first in case of a lack of fluid. In case of excess supply fluid, it can be used as lubricant and / or pump coolant.

The present invention differs from that document in that it has no control over the suction levels of the control pump and does not require a second pump. It is a much simpler system with completely different objectives and applications, namely to reduce the electricity consumption to raise water in building installations.

US 7,269,944 describes a typically tractor-operated hydraulic system for the purpose of reusing pressurized fluid using two accumulators which alternate in the accumulation of said fluid.

The present invention differs from that document in that it optimizes the use of the gravitational potential energy of fluids so as to provide each fluid quantity with only the gravitational potential energy it needs to reach its destination.

US 7,089,733 describes a hydraulic control system which uses electrical sensors to detect pressure values in a pipe and from this information a valve connected to a reservoir and pipe acts to reduce or increase the previously detected pressure.

The present invention differs from that document in that it optimizes the use of gravitational potential fluid storage energy so as to provide each amount of fluid with only the gravitational potential energy it needs to reach its destination.

US 6,065,288 describes a hydraulic system that aims at bi-directional fluid masking and provides a valve arrangement for stiffness. The present invention differs from that document in that it does not utilize or desire any bi-directional fluid pumping.

US 4,463,558 discloses a loading de-damping hydraulic system. The present invention differs from that document in that it does not need to sense or monitor shipments. In fact, it operates preferably without any pressure, temperature or load sensors. This is a very simple system, which aims to reduce the energy loss to raise water in building installations.

From what can be inferred from the researched literature, no documents were found anticipating or suggesting the teachings of the present invention, so that the solution proposed here has novelty and inventive activity in front of the state of the art.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a process capable of managing the work performed by one or more defluent dispensing pumps at one or more stations. It is an object of the present invention, a pump work management process comprising the steps of:

(a) send, by means of a pumping system, the fluid to one or more reservoirs, which are physically above the distribution stations; and

b) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

where each reservoir of item (a) is arranged to minimize the gravitational potential energy storage fluid that supplies the distribution station of item (b).

In a preferred embodiment, the management process comprises the steps of:

a) send the fluid to one or more reservoirs physically located above the dispensing stations;

b) allocate a quantity of fluid stored for each set of distribution stations;

c) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

In a second preferred embodiment, the process comprises the steps of:

(a) send the fluid to a hermetically sealed reservoir or reservoir assembly arranged to minimize the gravitational potential storage energy of the fluid supplying each distribution station; and

b) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

where the interior of the closed reservoir preferably operates at higher than external pressure.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus capable of managing the work done by pumps for the flow distribution.

It is an object of the present invention, a fluid dispensing system management apparatus comprising: a) means for storing fluid, where fluid storage is carried out in a reservoir that supports a depression value greater than external pressure and which connects with other reservoirs at different heights without the need for valves interconnecting them and that once the fluid enters a reservoir, the distribution station to which it is located is defined;

b) means for pumping fluid to the means for storing fluid;

c) means for supporting a vertically arranged reservoir assembly; and

d) means for seamlessly interconnecting a vertically arranged reservoir assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, storage is carried out in a pressure vessel, pumping is performed by a pump, the means for supporting the stacked pressure vessel assembly are deconcrete structures and the means for interconnecting the pressure vessels are hydraulic tubes.

In a third aspect the present invention provides an apparatus manufacturing process which can be performed from new structures or adapted to existing structures.

It is therefore an object of the present invention a process for producing an apparatus comprising the steps of:

(a) arranging the means for storing the fluid vertically;

b) Connect the means for storing fluid through one or substantially vertical maistubes, preferably without the need for sensors, gauges, regulators, valves or actuators;

c) Connecting the fluid storage means to the fluid pumping means;

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid storage means are pressure vessels arranged vertically on a metal frame, physically located over the building cistern and over the pump. The pump pumps the fluid from the cistern to the different pressure vessels located above each other. This arrangement tends to significantly reduce the loss of system load as it reduces the number of pressure drop elements such as knees and minimizes the unnecessarily fluid distances.

These and other objects of the invention will be immediately appreciated by those skilled in the art and will be described in sufficient detail for their production in the following description.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 presents an example of a fluid distribution management arrangement, where (A) represents a building; (B) represents a pump; (C) represents a clock; (h) represents the difference in height or level between the utility water inlet and the tap.

Figure 2 presents an example of a fluid distribution management arrangement, where (D) represents a water tank; (B) represents a bomb; (C) represents a clock; (E) represents a Cistern (optional), (h) represents the difference in height or level between the concessionaire's water inlet and the tap.

Figure 3 presents an example of a fluid distribution management arrangement, where (D) represents a water tank; (B) represents a bomb; (C) represents a clock; (E) represents a Cistern (optional): (h) represents the difference in height or level between the water supply of the concessionaire and the tap; (H) represents the difference in height or level between the utility's water inlet and the water tank.

Figure 4 presents an example of a fluid distribution management arrangement, where (D) represents a water tank; (B) represents a bomb; (C) represents a clock; (h) represents the difference in height between the utility water inlet and the tap; (H) represents the difference in height or level between the utility water intake and the water level.

Figure 5 shows an arrangement in which several pressure vessels disposed one above the other can store fluid to supply the distribution stations of the various floors, where (B) represents a pump; (J) represents a pressure vessel; (K) represents a pressure vessel disposed on (J);

Figure 6 shows an arrangement in which several pressure vessels disposed one above the other can store fluid to supply the distribution stations of the various floors, where (B) represents a pump; (J) represents a pressure vessel; (K) represents a pressure vessel disposed on (J); (h) represents the difference in height or level between the pump (B) and the pressure vessel (J); (H) represents the difference in height or level between the pump (B) and the pressure vessel (K); (S) represents the metal structure that supports the vertically arranged pressure vessels.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The examples shown herein are intended solely to exemplify one of the numerous ways of carrying out the invention, but without limitation, the scope thereof.

The technical problem that the present invention seeks to solve is the deportation of fluids consuming less energy, with consequent noiceable reduction of transport. There is an unnecessary waste of energy associated with reservoir interfaces.

Reservoir

The hermetically sealed reservoir is a reservoir capable of supporting an internal pressure greater than the external pressure. Examples of useful reservoirs include, without limitation, reservoirs made of concrete, plastics, resins, etc., such as pressure vessels commonly found in industry. Optionally, pressure vessels may be replaced by an arrangement containing water boxes with valves to regulate the inlet. Water.

Fluid

The fluid to be transported and distributed is chosen from the group which comprises, without limitation, liquids such as water, chemical inputs, liquid gases and combinations thereof.

Pump work management process

The management process of the present invention comprises the steps of:

(a) send, by means of a pumping system, the fluid to one or more reservoirs, which are physically above the distribution stations; and

b) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

where each reservoir of item (a) is arranged to minimize the gravitational potential energy storage fluid that supplies the distribution station of item (b).

The process described above can be performed in several different ways. Non-limiting examples of these alternative forms are listed below.

A preferred form of execution is a management process comprising the steps of:

a) send the fluid to one or more reservoirs physically located above the dispensing stations;

b) allocate a quantity of fluid stored for each set of distribution stations;

c) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

In a second preferred embodiment, the process comprises the steps of:

(a) send the fluid to a hermetically sealed reservoir or reservoir assembly arranged to minimize the gravitational potential storage energy of the fluid supplying each distribution station; and

b) distribute the fluid to the distribution stations;

where the interior of the closed reservoir preferably operates at higher than external pressure.

Fluid is shipped by one or more pumps, and distribution stations are stations that provide access to fluids such as residential and / or industrial showers, taps, and valves.

Management apparatus

The apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus comprising:

a) means for storing the fluid, where fluid storage is performed in a reservoir that supports a depression value greater than external pressure and which connects with other reservoirs at different times without the need for valves interconnecting them and that once the fluid enters in a reservoir, the distribution station to which he sedestin is defined;

b) means for pumping fluid to the means for storing fluid;

c) means for supporting a vertically arranged reservoir assembly; and

d) means for seamlessly interconnecting a vertically arranged reservoir assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, storage is carried out in a pressure vessel, pumping is performed by a pump, means for supporting the stacked pressure vessel assembly is a concrete structure and the means for interconnecting the pressure vessels are hydraulic pipes.

The storage means of item a) are as described above in the reservoirs item. Suitable pumping means include, without limitation, one or a plurality of pumps of any kind known in the prior art.

Inside each reservoir there may optionally be a level sensor (float or float) that determines the starting and stopping of the pumps.

In addition, in order to avoid peak hour electricity consumption, the system can complete all reservoirs at peak times, thus preventing pumps from departing at peak times and always seeking to depart at more convenient times. from an energy point of view, notably at times known as cheaper fares, such as the This management of electricity use results in better use of the electricity grid, generating greater reliability in the electricity system and reducing, in many cases, the overall expenses with electricity.

The reservoir may comprise filtering means, such as known prior art filters, such as decomposed organochlorine filters.

Apparatus Production Process

The apparatus of the present invention may be made from new structures or adapted to pre-existing structures.

An example of a process of producing materials from new structures comprises the steps of:

(a) arranging the means for storing the fluid vertically;

b) Connect the means for storing fluid through one or substantially vertical maistubes, preferably without the need for sensors, gauges, regulators, valves or actuators;

c) Connecting the fluid storage means to the fluid pumping means;

In a preferred embodiment, the fluid storage means are pressure vessels arranged vertically on a metal frame, physically located over the building cistern and over the pump. The pump pumps the fluid from the cistern to the different pressure vessels located above each other. This arrangement tends to significantly reduce the loss of system load as it reduces the number of pressure drop elements such as knees and minimizes the unnecessarily fluid distances.

An example of a possible implementation of this apparatus is shown in figures 5 and 6. It is also noteworthy that there are several possible implementations for this apparatus, the important thing is that it acts in such a way that the water that is being consumed in a tap does not necessarily have to be stored in a excessively high relative to this tap.

As can be concluded from the above, the purpose of this new apparatus is to minimize the perceived electricity consumption of the pump and is preferably coupled to the arrangement of reservoirs, which are illustrated here as pressure vessels arranged vertically in a structure resembling a a tower. Aiming at minimizing the pressure drop it is placed on the pump, which pumps the water vertically, thus minimizing the number of knees and other hydraulic elements responsible for any pressure drop.

In theory, this new arrangement should provide a 50% reduction in the electrical energy costs associated with water storage in reservoirs.

Example 1

A building of fifteen floors, eleven residential (and the others occupied by garage, concierge and leisure area), has a water tank that is located approximately 45 meters above the pipe through which I get the building's water supply. This building consumes over 3000 cubic meters of water per month, which represents an average of 100 cubic meters of water per day.

Considering that the density of water is approximately 1 ton per cubic meter, and the acceleration of gravity is approximately 10 m / s2, the daily energy consumption to raise these 100 tons of water to a height of 45 meters is given by:

Energy = mass x gravity x height

Energy = 105 [kg] x 10 [m / s2] x 45 [m]

Energy = 45,106 Joule = 45 MJ

As is known: 1 kwh = 3.6 MJ

We have the energy used to raise 100 tons of water daily to a height of 45 meters is equivalent to:

Energy = 45 [MJ] = 45 [MJ] + 3.6 [Kwh / MJ] = 12.5 Kwh

It is well known that this same building consumes approximately 530kwh of electrical energy per month and that, due to its consumption, its electricity bill is around R $ 6,700.00 (six thousand seven hundred reais). Thus, for this consumption range the value of kwh is on the order of R $ 13.00 / kwh (thirteen reais per KiloWattHora). That is, the energy to raise 100 tons of water to a height of 45 meters daily costs the condominium a value of:

Daily Cost = 13 [$ / kwh] x 12.5 [kwh] = $ 162.50 / day

What results in the month, an expense ofMonth Cost = Daily Cost x 30 = 162.50 [$ / Day] x 30 [Days] = $ 4,875

That is, at first, disregarding pressure losses and other hydraulic factors, approximately 70% of the building's electricity bill refers to the consumption of electricity to raise 100 tons of water daily to a height of 45 meters.

The above example aims to demonstrate that the expense of water pumping is significant and may correspond to more than half of a building's electricity bill, as indicated in the example above.

As stated above, the present invention decides to solve this problem by realizing that this waste represents an excessive expense of electrical energy and that, considering the large number of buildings that contain water tanks, the reduction in overall consumption should be very significant.

In a preferred embodiment, the pump departs by raising water through a vertical pipe that serves several vertically arranged pressure vessels. Through this tube, the pressure vessels are filled with fluid. The fluid inlet is from above so that the present new pressure air can come out as fluid enters said pressure vessel.

In this embodiment, the outflow of fluid from the pressure vessel is from below, so that no air escapes through the piping that serves the taps, showers and dispensing stations. The pressure vessels are arranged so that there is always a minimum pressure in the piping that serves the distribution station. In this sense, it is recommended to position the pressure vessel a few meters above the distribution stations.

The pump will fill all pressure vessels until a new higher pressure sensor informs that all others are already filled. At this moment the pump for its operation and the fluid starts to flow by gravity, attending the several distribution stations.

As stated earlier, pump management can take into consideration the use of preferential schedules, such as differentiated tariffs, thus avoiding the consumption of electricity during peak demand times. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the knowledge presented herein and may reproduce the invention in the embodiments set forth and in other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (25)

Process and Apparatus for Fluid Distribution Management and Apparatus Production Process 1. Fluid distribution management process comprising the steps of: a) sending, through a pumping system, the fluid to one or more reservoirs, which are physically located above the distribution stations; and b) distribute the fluid to the dispensing stations, where each reservoir of item (a) is arranged to minimize the gravitational potential energy storage of the fluid that supplies the dispensing station of item (b). Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the management process comprises the steps of: a) sending fluid to one or more reservoirs physically located above the dispensing stations, (b) allocating a quantity of fluid stored to each set of storage stations. c) distributing the fluid to the distribution stations; Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the management process comprises the steps of: a) sending the fluid to a hermetically sealed reservoir or assembly arranged to minimize the gravitational potential storage energy of the fluid supplying it. each distribution station; and b) distributing the fluid to the dispensing stations, where the interior of the closed reservoir preferably operates at a higher pressure than the external pressure. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid is chosen from the group comprising water, chemical inputs, liquefied gases and a mixture thereof. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir is made of concrete, plastics, resins and combinations thereof. Process according to Claim 4, characterized in that the reservoir is a water tank and / or pipes. Process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the reservoir is connected with another reservoir or with other reservoirs. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir is a conventional water tank utilizing valves. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution stations are residential showers, valves and / or industrial taps. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it allows the use of one or more pumps to raise the fluid to higher distribution points. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the pumping systems operate preferentially at times when there is greater availability of electricity over times without which there is less availability of electricity. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more monitoring points, which may be performed locally or remotely. Process according to claim 12, characterized in that it is possible that external commands can be sent to the monitoring points. 14. Apparatus for fluid distribution management comprising: (a) Means for storing fluid, where fluid storage is carried out in a reservoir which supports a depression value greater than external pressure and which connects with other reservoirs at different times without valves interconnecting them and that once fluid enters a reservoir, the dispensing station to which it is located is defined b) fluid pumping means to fluid storage c) means to support a reservoir assembly vertically arranged; and d) means for seamlessly interconnecting a vertically arranged reservoir assembly. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the reservoir is made of concrete, plastics, resins and combinations thereof. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the reservoir is a water tank and / or a pipe. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the pumping medium is a pump or a plurality of pumps. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the pumping systems operate preferentially at times where there is greater availability of electricity over times when there is less availability of electricity. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14, characterized in that the means for controlling fluid entry are optionally associated with metering and / or control devices. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises filtering means. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the filtering means are an organochlorine filter. 22. Production process of an apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) arranging the fluid storage means vertically, (b) connecting the fluid storage means through one or more substantially vertical maistubes, preferably without sensors, meters, regulators, valves or actuators (c) connect the fluid storage means to the fluid pumping means; 23. Electric motor management process characterized by the fact that electric motors operate preferentially at times where there is greater availability of electricity over times when there is less availability of electricity. 24. Apparatus for the management of electric motors characterized by the fact that electric motors are connected to timers and preferentially operate at times when there is greater availability of electrical energy over times when there is less availability of electricity. 25. Process for producing an electric motor management apparatus characterized by connecting electric motors to timers, which operate according to the availability of electricity from a power supply network.