EP4015822A1 - Screw pump and method for conveying a fluid through a screw pump - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for conveying a fluid through a screw pump (1), wherein at least one drive spindle (5) of the screw pump (1) is driven by an asynchronous motor (10), the asynchronous motor (10) being operated at a first setpoint frequency (37), wherein a gas-liquid mixture is conveyed as the fluid (45), - a measured variable (46) dependent on a liquid portion of the fluid (45) is detected, and - after a frequency change condition (47) dependent on the measured variable (46) has been met, the asynchronous motor (10) is operated with a second setpoint frequency (38) that is reduced compared to the first setpoint frequency (37).

Description

The invention relates to a method for conveying a fluid through a screw pump, wherein at least one drive screw of the screw pump is driven by an asynchronous motor. In addition, the invention relates to a screw pump.

Screw pumps are used in many areas to convey fluids. In this case, purely liquid media, for example crude oil or petroleum, can be pumped. However, there are often mixtures of gases and liquids, for example crude oil and natural gas, which are to be extracted.

If a gas-liquid mixture with a relatively high proportion of gas is conveyed in conventional screw pumps, the gas is primarily compressed by liquid flowing back from the pump chambers, which are already at a relatively high pressure, into the preceding pump chambers and compressing the gas there. The disadvantage here is that the fluid is first conveyed against a relatively steep pressure gradient and then at least partially flows back into an area of lower pressure. This typically results in a power requirement for the pump that is approximately independent of the gas content. Even with high proportions of gas, the design and control of the pump is the same as it would be for pure liquid delivery.

As part of an internal further development of corresponding pumps, it was recognized that by suitably selecting the pump geometry and speed, screw pumps in multi-phase operation with high gas contents of, for example, 90% or more require, for example, 25% less drive power than for pure liquid transport .

In many applications in which a multi-phase mixture is conveyed, for example in the field of joint oil and gas production However, plug flows occur, so that a fluid with almost 100% liquid content has to be pumped for a short time. However, since the further development mentioned reduces the required drive power only in the case of high gas contents, there is a noticeable reduction in energy costs in such applications. However, the asynchronous motor must be designed in such a way that the screw pump provides sufficient power for pure liquid transport. Therefore, the reduction of the required drive power only when transporting fluids with a high gas content is not sufficient in most applications to also be able to dimension the drive of the screw pump smaller and thus reduce the acquisition costs of the screw pump.

The invention is therefore based on the object of reducing the costs and the technical complexity for the provision of a screw pump.

• der Asynchronmotor mit einer ersten Solfrequenz betrieben wird, wobei als Fluid ein Gas-Flüssigkeitsgemisch gefördert wird,
• eine von einem Flüssigkeitsanteil des Fluids abhängige Messgröße erfasst wird, und
• nach einer Erfüllung einer von der Messgröße abhängigen Frequenzänderungsbedingung der Asynchronmotor mit einer gegenüber der ersten Sollfrequenz reduzierten zweiten Sollfrequenz betrieben wird.

The object is achieved by a method for conveying a fluid through a screw pump, wherein at least one drive spindle of the screw pump is driven by an asynchronous motor, wherein

• the asynchronous motor is operated with a first target frequency, with a gas-liquid mixture being pumped as the fluid,
• a measured variable dependent on a liquid content of the fluid is recorded, and
• after a frequency change condition dependent on the measured variable has been met, the asynchronous motor is operated at a second setpoint frequency that is reduced compared to the first setpoint frequency.

As will be explained later in more detail, a reduction in the drive power required to pump fluids with a high gas content compared to the drive power required to pump pure liquids can be achieved, particularly at relatively high speeds of the screw pump. In order to achieve sufficiently high speeds with relatively small pumps, it is advantageous to operate the asynchronous motor in the so-called field weakening area, in which a Maximum voltage that is used to power the windings of the asynchronous motor is not sufficient due to the inductance of the coils and the frequency used to achieve maximum currents and thus maximum field strengths in the asynchronous motor. This is exploited in the method according to the invention in that the target frequency is lowered when the frequency change condition is met, so that no field weakening or at least less field weakening results and thus a higher torque can be provided with the same power. The asynchronous motor can thus be dimensioned in such a way that it provides a sufficiently high torque at the first target frequency to pump a fluid with a high gas content of, for example, at least 90% or a corresponding liquid content of at most 10%. If it is determined from the measured variable that the liquid content of the fluid is too high, the setpoint frequency can be lowered because the frequency change condition is met, with which a sufficiently high torque can be provided to also use a fluid with a higher liquid content, for example a pure liquid support financially. The asynchronous motor and/or its power supply can thus be dimensioned smaller for essentially the same conveying capacity than would be possible without the reduction in the target frequency according to the invention.

The respective target frequency can be provided to a motor controller or a frequency converter, which energizes the asynchronous motor. Depending on the number of pole pairs of the asynchronous motor, the target frequency can specify the target speed of the asynchronous motor. In order to actually reach the setpoint speed despite the slip that occurs in asynchronous motors, the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the asynchronous motor can be above the setpoint frequency, for example due to speed feedback or a predetermined offset. Alternatively, the setpoint frequency can also be used directly as the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the asynchronous motor, with the result that the speed actually achieved by the asynchronous motor is somewhat lower than the setpoint speed due to the slip.

Compared to an alternative method for conveying a fluid, in which operation would basically take place at the lower, second set frequency, independently of the measured variable or a liquid fraction, the method according to the invention achieves a number of advantages. On the one hand, as long as the frequency change condition is not met, using the first setpoint frequency results in a higher speed of the asynchronous motor and thus also of the drive spindle compared to operation with the second setpoint frequency and thus also a higher delivery rate of the screw pump with an otherwise identical design. This is particularly advantageous if the frequency change condition is only met for a fraction of the operating time, since in this case the method according to the invention achieves approximately the same delivery rate as with continuous use of the first setpoint frequency and a correspondingly adapted design of the asynchronous motor. For example, in applications in which liquid slugs are conveyed only rarely or for short periods of time and otherwise there is a high proportion of gas, the method according to the invention achieves almost the same conveying capacity as would be achieved by a correspondingly larger asynchronous motor, which is always operated at the first setpoint frequency. is reached.

As already explained, the use of a relatively high speed allows a particularly significant reduction in the required drive power when pumping a fluid with a high proportion of gas compared to the pumping of pure liquids. A permanent reduction in the setpoint frequency used and thus the speed would therefore be disadvantageous with regard to the required power if fluids with a very small liquid content are pumped over a large part of the operating time.

In the method according to the invention, during operation of the screw pump, apart from start-up and run-down phases, the setpoint frequency can be reduced compared to the first setpoint frequency, in particular exclusively when or after the frequency change condition has been met. The acquisition of the measured variable and the examination of the Frequency change condition is preferably carried out repeatedly, in particular periodically. In particular, after the change to the second setpoint frequency or after the frequency change condition has been met, the measured variable can continue to be monitored and a further frequency change condition can be evaluated, upon or after which a return to the first setpoint frequency takes place.

In other words, a control device can operate the asynchronous motor at the first setpoint frequency in a first operating mode and at the second setpoint frequency in a second operating mode, with switching between the operating modes depending on the measured variable, i.e. in particular when the frequency change condition or the other frequency change conditions are met.

The alternating current used to operate the asynchronous motor can, in particular, be a three-phase current or a three-phase alternating current with a phase offset of, in particular, 120° between the phases. The different poles of the asynchronous motor are energized by the different phases of the multi-phase alternating current.

The measured variable can relate to a torque applied by the asynchronous machine or a current strength of an alternating current supplied to the asynchronous machine or a speed of the asynchronous machine. With a higher proportion of liquid in the pumped fluid, the rotation of the drive spindle and thus of the asynchronous motor is counteracted by a greater braking torque. This initially leads to a braking of the drive spindle and thus of the asynchronous motor, which can be detected by monitoring the speed.

At the same time, this reduction in speed leads to greater slippage in the asynchronous machine. Since asynchronous machines are typically operated above the tipping point, such an increase in slip leads to an increase in the torque of the asynchronous machine and thus also to a higher amperage of the alternating current, in particular to a higher active current. The applied torque can be detected, for example, via a torque sensor. The current strength or the strength of an active current can be detected by a current sensor. In particular, use can be made here of the fact that frequency converters, e.g. voltage or current converters, often already provide information relating to the current intensity, e.g .

In addition to or as an alternative to the above-mentioned indirect detection of the liquid proportion via measured variables that depend on it and that relate to parameters of the asynchronous machine, at least one fluid parameter can also be recorded and evaluated directly as the measured variable, for example an electrical conductivity, a thermal conductivity, a thermal conductivity or a density of the pumped fluids.

Approaches for detecting corresponding fluid variables are known in principle in the prior art and can be used in the method according to the invention in order to determine the liquid fraction or to evaluate it as a measured variable within the scope of the frequency change condition.

The change from the first setpoint frequency to the second setpoint frequency can take place continuously or in several stages over a time interval after the frequency change condition has been met. In addition or as an alternative, the change from the first to the second setpoint frequency can be effected by a control loop that regulates the measured variable to a predetermined value. Sudden changes in torque, which can lead to severe mechanical loads on components of the screw pump, are avoided by a continuous or at least multi-stage change in the setpoint frequency. For example, the target frequency can be specified by digital signal processing, for example by a microcontroller Frequency change condition the target frequency changes pseudo-continuously ramped.

Conventional controllers, for example integral controllers or proportional-integral controllers, can be used as the control circuit for controlling the setpoint frequency as a manipulated variable. If the corresponding control circuit is designed in such a way that the first setpoint frequency cannot be exceeded, i.e. the controller saturates at the first setpoint frequency, the fulfillment of the frequency change condition corresponds to a controller state in which the first setpoint frequency is undershot and the control behavior is therefore not saturated. The use of a control loop makes it possible, in particular, to regulate a suitable setpoint frequency depending on the actual liquid content or its effect on the torque required to be applied to maintain a speed.

The first setpoint frequency can be at least 10% or at least 20% higher than the corner frequency of the asynchronous machine at which the field weakening range begins for a given maximum operating voltage. Additionally or alternatively, the first reference frequency can be at most 30% or at most 40% greater than the corner frequency. The first target frequency is used in particular in the control operation of the screw pump. As explained at the beginning, it can be advantageous, particularly when pumping fluids with a low liquid content and therefore a high gas content, to use relatively high speeds and thus to operate the asynchronous machine in the field weakening range, i.e. above the cut-off frequency, which is also referred to as the type point . However, the torque achieved is approximately proportional to the square of the quotient of the corner frequency and the setpoint frequency, so that very low torques would result if the corner frequency were exceeded too much by the first setpoint frequency. The limits specified above for the first reference frequency have therefore proven to be advantageous.

In addition or as an alternative, the second setpoint frequency can be greater than or equal to the corner frequency. This choice of the second setpoint frequency is advantageous because if the setpoint frequency drops below the corner frequency, the asynchronous motor supplied voltages should be reduced in order to avoid excessive currents and thus potential damage to the asynchronous motor. However, this typically results in a constant torque below the cut-off frequency, which means that a further reduction in the setpoint frequency below the cut-off frequency would not bring any further advantages and would at the same time reduce the pumping capacity of the screw pump.

The corner frequency or the type point can correspond to the mains frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, so that, for example, with two pool pairs in mains operation, a synchronous speed of 1500 rpm or 1800 rpm would result. The operating point or the first setpoint frequency can then be selected as 70 Hz, for example, so that a synchronous speed of 2100 rpm results in normal operation, i.e. when the proportion of liquid is not too high.

In the method according to the invention, a screw spindle pump can be used which has a housing which forms at least one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet and in which the at least one drive spindle and at least one idler spindle of the screw spindle pump, which is rotationally coupled thereto, are accommodated, which in every rotational position of the drive spindle together with the housing delimit several pump chambers, with the drive spindle being rotated by the asynchronous machine in a drive direction, as a result of which one of the pump chambers that is initially open towards the respective fluid inlet is closed, the resulting closed pump chamber is moved axially towards the fluid outlet and there, when an opening rotation angle is reached, towards the fluid outlet is opened towards, the drive spindle is driven at least before the frequency change condition is met in such a way that at a liquid content below a limit value at a given pump engeometry of the screw pump, the pressure in the respective pump chamber before and/or upon reaching the opening rotation angle compared to the suction pressure of the screw pump, which is present in the area of the respective fluid inlet, by a maximum of 20% or by a maximum of 10% of a differential pressure between the suction pressure and the pressure in the area of the fluid outlet is increased. This can eg up to a limit value for the liquid content of 1% or 3% or 5% or 10% or 15% or up to a limit value lying between the given values.

It was recognized that by suitably adjusting the pump geometry and/or the speed of the pump, a backflow of fluid through the remaining gaps between the pump chambers can be reduced to such an extent that the predominant part of the pressure increase generated by the screw pump only occurs after the respective pump chamber has been opened towards the fluid outlet. With a sufficient speed or suitable pump geometry, it can be assumed, at least approximately, that the liquid already in the area of the fluid outlet essentially does not flow into the opening pump chamber due to its inertia, but can instead be considered approximately as a rigid wall against which the gas -Liquid mixture is compressed. As long as the fluid in the opening chamber has a high proportion of gas, a similarly good level of efficiency is achieved as with gas compressors that deliver gas against a rigid wall of the housing. In contrast to these gas compressors, however, fluids with a very high liquid content or pure liquids can also be pumped.

Before the opening rotation angle is reached, the respective pump chamber is sealed the same way towards the fluid inlet or towards the pump chamber adjacent in the direction of the fluid inlet and towards the fluid outlet, apart from deviations caused by tolerances. A fluid exchange in both directions is thus essentially only possible via the radial and axial gaps of the pump. The opening of the pump chamber towards the fluid outlet when the opening rotation angle is reached results from the passage of the respective spindle forming the pump chamber or the wall delimiting the respective passage towards the fluid outlet ending at a specific angular position that depends on the rotation angle of the spindle. As a result, above a certain limiting angle, a gap results in the circumferential direction between this wall and another spindle, which delimits the pump chamber. Through this gap in the circumferential direction, the pump chamber is open towards the fluid outlet. The opening rotation angle can thus be defined as the angle from which a gap results in the circumferential direction in addition to the axial or radial gaps. Alternatively, the opening rotation angle could be defined via the flow cross section enabling a fluid exchange between the pump chamber and the fluid outlet. If this flow cross section is increased by 50% or 100% or 200% compared to the closed pump chamber, reaching this limit can be defined as reaching the opening rotation angle.

The screw pump used can be single- or double-flow, that is, have one or two axially opposite fluid inlets. The screw pump can have two, three or more screws. Individual spindles can be double-threaded, for example. However, some or all of the spindles can also be single-threaded or three-threaded or have more threads.

The screw profiles of the respective drive screw and idler screw can be selected such that the mean value of the number of pump chambers per drive screw and idler screw, which are closed to both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, over a rotation angle of the drive screw of 360° is a maximum of 1.5 . If, for example, exactly one drive spindle and exactly one idler spindle are used, a maximum of three pump chambers can be completely closed on average. The mean value can be determined, for example, by integrating the number of closed chambers for a particular angle of rotation of the drive spindle over the angle of 360° and then dividing the result by 360°. At a constant speed, this corresponds to an integration of the number of simultaneously closed pump chambers over a rotation period of the drive spindle and a division by the rotation period.

While screw pumps for pumping liquids typically use a relatively large number of axially consecutive pump chambers is desired, it was recognized within the scope of the invention that the use of relatively few, maximum, simultaneously closed chambers with a reduced length of the screw profile results in a larger volume for the individual pump chambers. The same amount of liquid flowing back through pump gaps thus leads to a smaller relative change in the volume remaining for the gas portion, resulting in less gas compression and thus less pressure increase before opening the pump chamber towards the fluid outlet.

The pump geometry of the screw pump used and the target speed at the first target frequency can be selected so that the peripheral speed at the outer profile diameter of the drive spindle or at least one of the drive spindles and/or the idler spindles or at least one of the idler spindles is at least 15 m/s. This can apply in particular to all drive and idler spindles. The peripheral speed can be calculated as the product of the profile outside diameter, the target speed and Pi. The setpoint speed can be proportional to the setpoint frequency, the proportionality factor being predetermined by the number of pole pairs of the asynchronous machine. In this way, the specified condition can be achieved, especially when using high speeds or large outer diameters of the profile. As a result, the contribution of liquid flowing back through gaps to the gas compression can be reduced and a higher degree of efficiency can thereby be achieved with high proportions of gas.

In addition or as an alternative, the pump geometry and the setpoint speed at the first setpoint frequency can be selected such that the axial speed of the respective pump chamber during the axial movement towards the fluid outlet is at least 4 m/s. The axial speed depends both on the pitch of the gear or gears of the respective spindle and on the speed. In other words, high axial speeds can be achieved through high speeds and/or high gradients or relatively long pump chambers. All of these factors lead to a reduction in the influence of back-flowing liquid on the pressure in the pump chamber and thus to the explained increase in efficiency.

In addition to the method according to the invention, the invention relates to a screw spindle pump for conveying a fluid, which has a housing in which at least one drive spindle and at least one running spindle of the screw pump, which is rotationally coupled thereto, are accommodated, an asynchronous motor for driving the drive spindle and a control device for energizing the asynchronous motor, wherein the control device is set up to carry out the method according to the invention. In particular, the control device operates the asynchronous motor at the first setpoint frequency in a first operating state and at the second setpoint frequency in a second operating state. The control device can detect the measured variable via internal or external sensors, which have already been explained above, and can be operated in the first or second operating mode depending on the measured variable. In particular, a change to the second operating mode can take place when or after the frequency change condition dependent on the measured variable has been met.

The screw pump according to the invention can be further developed with the features explained for the method according to the invention with the advantages mentioned there and vice versa.

In particular, the housing can form at least one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet, with the drive spindle and the running spindle delimiting a plurality of pump chambers together with the housing in every rotational position of the drive spindle, with the asynchronous machine being set up to rotate the drive spindle in a drive direction, as a result of which a respective first The pump chambers that are open to the respective fluid inlet are closed, the resulting closed pump chamber is moved axially towards the fluid inlet and is opened there towards the fluid outlet when an opening rotation angle is reached, with the screw profiles of the respective drive spindle and idler spindle being selected in such a way that the mean value of the The number of pump chambers per drive spindle and idler spindle, which are closed both to the fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet, is a maximum of 1.5 for a rotation angle of the drive spindle of 360°.

In the screw pump according to the invention, on the one hand the inner diameter of the screw profile of the drive spindle or at least one of the drive spindles and/or the idler spindle or at least one of the idler spindles can be less than 0.7 times the outer diameter of the respective screw profile and/or on the other hand the mean circumferential gap between the outer edge of the helical profile of the drive screw or at least one of the drive screws and/or the idler screw or at least one of the idler screws and the housing must be less than 0.002 times the outer diameter of the respective helical profile. A relatively large difference between the inside and outside diameters means that a large pump chamber volume can be achieved, whereby the same amount of backflowing liquid leads to a lower pressure increase in the pump chamber and therefore lower power is required when there is a high proportion of gas in the fluid. Relatively narrow gaps can additionally or alternatively limit the amount of fluid flowing back and thus also contribute to high efficiency in fluid transport with a high proportion of gas. In particular, the mean value of the width of the circumferential gap along the length of the circumferential gap can be regarded as the mean circumferential gap. In addition, an averaging can be carried out over a rotation of 360° on the drive spindle in order to take into account variations in the circumferential gap with the rotation of the spindle.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Schraubenspindelpumpe,

Fig. 2

sollfrequenzabhängige Leistungen und Drehmomente für zwei Asynchronmotoren,

Fig. 3

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, und

Fig. 4 und 5

Detailansichten der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Schraubenspindelpumpe.

Further advantages and details of the present invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and the associated drawings. Here show schematically:

1

an embodiment of a screw pump according to the invention,

2

target frequency-dependent power and torque for two asynchronous motors,

3

a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, and

Figures 4 and 5

Detailed views of the in 1 screw pump shown.

1 shows schematically a screw pump 1 for pumping a fluid 45 from a fluid inlet 3 to a fluid outlet 4. To pump the fluid 45, the housing 2 of the screw pump 1 contains a drive spindle 5 driven by the asynchronous motor 10 and a running spindle coupled to it via a gear 26 6 arranged. For reasons of clarity, a screw pump 1 of relatively simple design is shown, which is single-flow, ie has only one fluid inlet 3, and in which only one running screw 6 is used. However, the following explanations can also be applied to multi-flow screw pumps or screw pumps with more than two spindles, for example with a number of running screws or even with a number of drive spindles.

As already explained in the general part of the description, conventional screw pumps require at least approximately the same torque and thus also the same power of the asynchronous motor 10 to transport liquids and gases. The connection between the torque 31 or the power 32 and the speed for such a common design of a screw pump is in 2 shown. There, the X-axis shows the speed in revolutions per minute (rpm), the left Y-axis 28 the torque in Newton meters (Nm) and the right Y-axis 29 the power in kilowatts (kW).

As part of the further development of appropriate pumps, it was found that through a suitable choice of pump geometry and speed of the screw pump 1, as later with reference to the Figures 4 and 5 will be explained, it can be achieved that significantly lower torques are required when conveying a fluid 45 with a high gas content and thus with a low liquid content. A smaller dimensioned asynchronous motor 10 can thus be used to convey a fluid 45 with a high proportion of gas. Also for this smaller-sized asynchronous motor 10 is in the 2 the relationship between the speed plotted on the X-axis 27 and the torque 34 achieved or the power 35 required is plotted. In the 2 The speeds shown are target speeds. In addition, 2 the target speed reached at a respective target frequency 37, 38 is marked. If, for example, an asynchronous machine 10 with two pairs of poles is used, a first setpoint frequency 37 of 70 Hz corresponds to a setpoint speed of 2100 rpm.

If the screw pump 1 is designed, for example, for a target speed of 2100 rpm and thus for a corresponding flow rate, and if it is assumed that fluid with a high proportion of gas is being transported, the result is 30 torque instead of the required torque that would be required for liquid transport , A required torque 33. Accordingly, a lower power of the asynchronous machine 10 is required, depending on the geometry, speed and liquid content power differences 36 of up to 25% of the power 32 can be achieved with pure liquid transport.

When transporting multi-phase mixtures, it is typically not possible to assume a homogeneous mixture, so that the screw pump 1 must be designed in such a way that it can at least temporarily transport a fluid 45 with a liquid content of up to 100%. In the simplest case, it would be possible to design the asynchronous machine 10 in such a way that it can provide a sufficiently high torque 30 at the first set frequency 37 used to also be able to convey pure liquids. The possibility of promoting a fluid 45 with a high proportion of gas with less power would in this case reduce the energy requirement and thus the operating costs of the screw pump 1, the technical complexity and the Acquisition costs, however, remain unchanged, since the asynchronous motor 10 must continue to have the same dimensions as for a screw pump, which is used purely to transport liquids.

In order to also enable use of a smaller-sized asynchronous motor 10, a control device 19 for providing the alternating current 42 for the asynchronous machine 10 is used in the screw pump 1 instead, which is described below with reference to FIG 3 implemented control method explained.

In step S1, the asynchronous motor 10 is initially operated with a first setpoint frequency 37. In the context of the explanation of the method, it is assumed that initially a gas-liquid mixture with a relatively high proportion of gas is conveyed, so that the torque 33 achieved is sufficient to maintain the desired speed.

To provide the alternating voltage 42, an alternating current 43 that is provided, in particular a three-phase current, can first be rectified by a rectifier 20 in order to provide a direct current 44, which is then converted by an inverter 21 into the alternating current 42, in particular also into a three-phase current. The inverter 21 can, for example, provide an AC voltage 42 over a further frequency range of setpoint frequencies using pulse width modulation and can also vary the voltage amplitude. The procedure in step S1 thus corresponds to the usual procedure for providing alternating current for an asynchronous motor as soon as a setpoint frequency that deviates from the mains voltage is desired.

In step S2, a measurement variable 46 is detected by a measurement and control element 22, which depends on a liquid content of the fluid. If the liquid content of the fluid 45 increases, this leads to a stronger braking torque on the drive and running spindles 5, 6 and thus on the asynchronous machine 10, as a result of which the speed of the asynchronous machine 10 is reduced. This in turn leads to a greater slip and thus, at least as long as the tipping point of the asynchronous machine has not yet been reached, to a higher torque provided by the asynchronous machine 10 and higher current intensities of the alternating current supplied to the asynchronous machine 10 .

A simple way of detecting a suitable measured variable is therefore a current sensor 23 that measures the current strength of the alternating current 42 . This one is in 1 Shown as a separate component for clarity. In many cases, however, the inverter 21 or in general the frequency converter that provides the alternating current 42 can already provide an output signal, in particular a voltage, which is proportional to the current intensity, so that the measured variable can be recorded, for example, by analog-digital conversion of this voltage can.

Alternatively, for example, a speed or a torque could also be detected as a measured variable via a sensor 24 located in the area of the drive shaft, or a measured value of a fluid sensor 25 that measures, for example, an electrical conductivity or a temperature conductivity of the fluid 45 .

In step S3, a frequency change condition 47 that depends on the measured variable 46 is evaluated. The frequency change condition can be met, for example, if the measured variable exceeds or falls below a specified limit value. For example, the frequency change condition 47 can be met if a torque applied by the asynchronous machine or a current strength of the alternating current supplied to the asynchronous machine exceeds a limit value or if an actual speed of the asynchronous machine falls below a limit value. If the frequency change condition 47 is not met, the method can be repeated from step S1, in which case, in particular, the detection of the measured variable and the checking of the frequency change condition can be repeated periodically.

After the frequency change condition 47 has been met, on the other hand, in step S4 the asynchronous motor 10 is operated at a frequency compared to the first setpoint frequency 37 reduced second target frequency 38 operated. The change in the target frequency can take place over a time interval 50 in order to avoid sudden changes in torque. As in 2 is shown, a torque 39 can be achieved by using the lower, second setpoint frequency 38, which corresponds to the torque 30 in the example shown, which would be required for pure fluid transport at the speed of 2100 rpm originally used. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the torque required to maintain the speed is independent of the speed. In screw pumps, if the speeds are not too low, a lower torque is typically required to maintain lower speeds, so that the second setpoint frequency 38 could also be selected slightly higher than in 2 is shown.

The need-based torque increase described is possible because the first and second setpoint frequencies 37, 38 are in the field weakening range 40 of the asynchronous machine 10, i.e. in a range in which, due to a limited maximum operating voltage that can be provided by the control device 19 or the Asynchronous machine 10 may be supplied, in the coils of the asynchronous machine 10 no longer the maximum currents and thus not the maximum field strengths are reached. In order to achieve high efficiencies for transporting fluids with a high proportion of gas, it is advantageous to use relatively high speeds of the drive and idler spindles and thus of the asynchronous machine 10 . In order to achieve a compact pump at the same time, it is typically advantageous in any case to use target frequencies in the field weakening range 40, ie above the corner frequency 41 of the asynchronous machine 10, during normal operation of a screw pump. In the example shown, a first target frequency 37 which is approximately 40% above the corner frequency 41 is used to emphasize the described effect more clearly. In real implementations of the procedure described, depending on the specific application, first set frequencies 37 that are 20-30% above corner frequency 41 are typically expedient.

The operation of the asynchronous machine 10 with alternating current 42 at the second setpoint frequency 38 and thus at a lower speed should typically only take place temporarily, for example while a liquid slug is being conveyed. A measured variable 48 which depends on the liquid content of the fluid is therefore recorded again in step S5. The same variables that have already been explained for measured variable 46 can be recorded here.

In step S6, a further frequency change condition 49 is evaluated, if met, a change back to the first reference frequency 37 takes place and the method is thus continued in step S1. On the other hand, if the further frequency change condition is not met, the method is repeated from step S4.

The method described can also be modified, for example by using a control loop 51 as part of the measuring and control element 22 instead of the mentioned limit value comparison as part of the frequency change condition, which tries to regulate the measured variable 46 to a specified value, with the target frequency 37, 38 serves as a variable. In this case, this manipulated variable can be limited in such a way that the first setpoint frequency cannot be exceeded, for example by providing a saturation element. In this case, the non-fulfillment of the frequency change condition corresponds to the saturation of the control circuit 51. As long as the saturation range of the control is not left, the first setpoint frequency is output as the manipulated variable.

Figures 4 and 5 show various detailed views of a screw pump which, when conveying a fluid that is a gas-liquid mixture with a low proportion of liquid, requires significantly less power, for example 25% less power, than when transporting a liquid. Here shows 4 schematically a perspective view of the drive spindle 5 and the running spindle 6 of the screw pump 1, wherein the housing is not shown for reasons of clarity. 4 clarifies in particular the shape of the screw profiles of the drive spindle 5 and the Spindle 6 and their mesh. figure 5 shows a front section, in which in particular the interaction of the drive spindle 5 and the running spindle 6 with the housing 2 can be seen in order to form a plurality of separate pump chambers 7, 8, 9, which in turn 4 are marked because they differ from the in 2 shown cutting plane also extend.

As already referred to 1 was discussed, the idler spindle 6 is rotationally coupled to the drive spindle 5 by a coupling device 26, a 1:1 transmission being assumed in the example. Thus, when the drive shaft 5 is driven by the asynchronous motor 10 in the drive direction 11, the running spindle 6 rotates in the opposite direction of rotation 12 and at the same speed. The rotational speed is specified by the control device 19 by the selection of the setpoint frequency 37, 38 explained above.

Due to the meshing of the screw profiles of the drive spindle 5 and the running spindle 6, the fluid located in the housing 2 is received in a plurality of pump chambers 7, 8, 9 which are separate from one another. The separation or closure of the pump chambers 7, 8, 9 is not completely tight due to the radial gap 17 between the housing 2 and drive spindle 5 or idler spindle 6 and due to remaining axial gaps between the interlocking screw profiles, but allows a certain fluid exchange between the pump chambers 7 , 8, 9, which can also be considered as leakage.

in the in 4 In the rotational position of the drive spindle 5 and the idler spindle 6 shown, the pump chamber 7 is open to the fluid inlet 3, since the free end 13 of the wall 15 of the screw thread of the drive spindle 5 is in 1 is directed upwards, leaving a gap in the circumferential direction between this free end 13 and the lead screw 6, through which the fluid can flow between the pump chamber 7 and the fluid inlet 3. Accordingly, the in 4 pump chamber 8 marked by dots on its outer surface open to the fluid outlet 4, since the free end 14 of the wall 15 delimiting this is in turn spaced apart from the running spindle 6 due to the rotational position and thus forms a radial gap through which fluid can flow. The pump chamber 9 is closed both to the fluid inlet 3 and to the fluid outlet 4 .

When the drive spindle 5 is driven in the drive direction 11, the free end 13 of the wall 15 is first moved towards the running coil 6 and the initially open pump chamber 7 is thus closed. A further rotation then leads to the displacement of the closed pump chamber towards the fluid outlet 4 . When a certain opening angle of rotation is reached, the pump chamber is then opened towards the fluid outlet 4, with a rotation of 90° after reaching the opening angle of rotation resulting in the arrangement as shown in FIG 1 is shown for the pump chamber 8, in which a gap in the circumferential direction with a certain width between the free end 14 and the running spindle 6 already results.

It was recognized that the power consumption when pumping gas-liquid mixtures with a high proportion of gas can be significantly reduced if it is achieved that gas compression during pumping does not take place primarily by fluid from the fluid outlet or downstream pump chambers into closed pump chambers flows back and compresses the gas there, but the compression of the gas and thus also the pressure increase in the pump chamber 7, 8, 9 essentially only takes place after the opening of the respective pump chamber to the fluid outlet 4. In the example shown, this is achieved on the one hand by selecting a suitable pump geometry and on the other hand by using a sufficiently high speed. In this way it can be achieved that the pressure in the respective pump chamber 7, 8, 9 before or when the opening rotation angle is reached compared to the suction pressure of the screw spindle pump 1, which is present in the area of the fluid inlet 3, by only a few percent of the differential pressure between the suction pressure and the pressure in the area of the fluid outlet 4 is increased. For example, the pressure in the pump chamber when opening can be at most 10% or at most 20% of the differential pressure above the suction pressure.

In principle, the behavior described could be achieved simply by selecting a sufficiently high speed, even with conventional pump geometries, with the high speeds required possibly leading to high loads or high wear on the pump. Therefore, the screw pump 1 uses a special pump geometry in which the behavior described can be achieved even at relatively low speeds, for example at 1000 rpm or 1800 rpm. In particular, relatively few pump chambers or revolutions of the screw threads of the drive spindle 5 and the idler spindle 6 are used instead of the usual use of a large number of pump chambers following one another in the axial direction in screw pumps. in the in 4 In the rotational position shown, only one pump chamber 9 is closed both from the fluid inlet 3 and from the fluid outlet 4 . Depending on the specific geometric design of the free ends 13, 14 of the wall 15, a maximum of one or a maximum of two simultaneously closed pump chambers can result, regardless of the rotational state of the drive spindle 5 and the running spindle 6 in the example shown.

By using relatively fewer pump chambers following one another in the axial direction, a relatively large volume of the individual pump chambers is already achieved, as a result of which the same quantity of liquid flowing back through gaps into the respective pump chamber has less of an influence on the pressure in the pump chamber. In order to achieve a large volume of the pump chambers 7 to 9, it is also advantageous that the inner diameter 16 of the screw profile of the drive and idler spindles 5, 6, as in particular in figure 5 is clearly visible, is significantly smaller, for example smaller by a factor of approximately 2, than the outer diameter 18 of the respective spindle.

By using a sufficiently narrow radial gap 17 between the housing 2 and the respective outer diameter 18 of the drive spindle 5 or the running spindle 6, the quantity of liquid flowing back into the respective pump chamber 7, 8, 9 can be further reduced. For example, the radial gap 25 can be narrower than two thousandths of the outer diameter 18.

As explained, the pump geometry of the screw pump 1 and a sufficiently high speed work together to achieve the effects explained above. With a given pump geometry, the speed should be selected in such a way that the axial speed of the movement of the respective pump chambers 7, 8, 9 towards the fluid outlet 4 is at least 4 m/s and/or that the peripheral speed at the outer profile 18 of the drive spindle 5 or the running spindle 6 is at least 15 m/s.

Claims (10)

Method for conveying a fluid through a screw pump (1), wherein at least one drive spindle (5) of the screw pump (1) is driven by an asynchronous motor (10), wherein - the asynchronous motor (10) is operated at a first target frequency (37), a gas-liquid mixture being conveyed as the fluid (45), - a measured variable (46) dependent on a liquid content of the fluid (45) is detected, and - after a frequency change condition (47) dependent on the measured variable (46) has been met, the asynchronous motor (10) is operated at a second setpoint frequency (38) which is reduced compared to the first setpoint frequency (37). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the measured variable (46) relates to a torque applied by the asynchronous machine (10) or a current intensity of an alternating current (42) supplied to the asynchronous machine (10) or a speed of the asynchronous machine (10). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the change from the first target frequency (37) to the second target frequency (38) takes place continuously or in several stages over a time interval after the frequency change condition (50) has been met and/or that the change from the first to the second target frequency (37, 38) is effected by a control circuit (51) which regulates the measured variable (46) to a predetermined value. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first setpoint frequency (37) is at least 10% or at least 20% higher than the cut-off frequency (41) of the asynchronous machine (10) at which the field weakening range (40) occurs for a given maximum operating voltage begins, and/or that the first desired frequency (37) is greater by a maximum of 30% or by a maximum of 40% than the corner frequency (41) and/or that the second target frequency (38) is greater than or equal to the corner frequency (41). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a screw pump (1) is used which has a housing (2) which forms at least one fluid inlet (3) and one fluid outlet (4) and in which the at least one drive spindle (5 ) and at least one running spindle (6) of the screw spindle pump (1) which is rotationally coupled thereto and which together with the housing (2) delimit a plurality of pump chambers (7, 8, 9) in every rotational position of the drive spindle (5), the drive spindle ( 5) is rotated by the asynchronous machine in a drive direction (11), whereby one of the pump chambers (7, 8, 9) that is initially open to the respective fluid inlet (4) is closed, the resulting closed pump chamber (7, 8, 9) being axially closed the fluid outlet (4) moves towards and is opened there upon reaching an opening rotation angle to the fluid outlet (4), wherein the drive spindle (5) at least before the fulfillment of the frequency zalternation condition is driven in such a way that with a liquid content below a limit value for a given pump geometry of the screw pump (1), the pressure in the respective pump chamber (7, 8, 9) before and/or when the opening rotation angle is reached compared to the suction pressure of the screw pump (1) , which is present in the area of the respective fluid inlet (3), is increased by a maximum of 20% or by a maximum of 10% of a differential pressure between the suction pressure and the pressure in the area of the fluid outlet (4). Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the screw profiles of the respective drive spindle (5) and idler spindle (6) are selected in such a way that the mean value of the number of pump chambers (7, 8, 9) per drive spindle (5) and idler spindle (6) , which are closed both to the fluid inlet (3) and to the fluid outlet (4), is a maximum of 1.5 over a rotation angle of the drive spindle (5) of 360°. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that on the one hand the pump geometry of the screw pump (1) used and the setpoint speed at the first setpoint frequency (37) are selected in such a way that the peripheral speed at the profile outer diameter (18) of the drive spindle (5) or at least one of the drive spindles (5) and/or the running spindle (6) or at least one of the running spindles (6) is at least 15 m/s and/or that, on the other hand, the pump geometry and the target speed at the first target frequency are selected in such a way that the axial speed of the respective pump chamber (7, 8, 9) in the axial movement towards the fluid outlet (4) is at least 4 m/s. Screw spindle pump for pumping a fluid, comprising a housing (2) in which at least one drive spindle (5) and at least one running spindle (6) of the screw spindle pump (1), which is rotationally coupled thereto, are accommodated, an asynchronous motor (10) for driving the drive spindle (5 ) and a control device (19) for energizing the asynchronous motor (10), wherein the control device (19) is set up for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Screw spindle pump according to Claim 8, characterized in that the housing (2) forms at least one fluid inlet (3) and one fluid outlet (4), the drive spindle (5) and the running spindle (6) in each rotational position of the drive spindle (5) together with the housing (2) delimit a plurality of pump chambers (7, 8, 9), the asynchronous machine (10) being set up to rotate the drive spindle (5) in a drive direction (11), as a result of which a respective one first moves to the respective fluid inlet (3rd ) open one of the pump chambers (7, 8, 9) is closed, the resulting closed pump chamber (7, 8, 9) is moved axially towards the fluid outlet (4) and is opened there towards the fluid outlet (4) when an opening rotation angle is reached, the Screw profiles of the respective drive spindle (5) and idler spindle (6) are selected in such a way that the mean value of the number of pump chambers (7, 8, 9) per drive spindle (5) and idler spindle (6), which are closed both to the fluid inlet (3) and to the fluid outlet (4), is over one rotation angle of the drive spindle (5) of 360° is a maximum of 1.5. Screw spindle pump according to Claim 9, characterized in that on the one hand the inner diameter (16) of the screw profile of the drive spindle (5) or at least one of the drive spindles (5) and/or the idler spindle (6) or at least one of the idler spindles (6) is less than 0 .7 times the outer diameter (18) of the respective screw profile and/or that, on the other hand, the central circumferential gap (17) between the outer edge of the screw profile of the drive spindle (5) or at least one of the drive spindles (5) and/or the idler spindle (6 ) or at least one of the lead screws (6) and the housing (2) is less than 0.002 times the outer diameter (18) of the respective screw profile.

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