EP4123215A1 - Odorizing test system and device for odorizing a gas mixture flowing within a gas line for testing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an odorization test facility (10) for test-wise odorization of a gas mixture flowing within a gas line (60), the odorization test facility (10) having a bypass line (20) which has two connection points (21, 22) for connection to the gas line ( 60), a receiving device for receiving an odorizing nozzle (31) and a measuring device for measuring the proportion of odorant in the gas mixture, and wherein the odorizing test system (10) is designed to be mobile.

Description

The invention relates to an odorization test system for test-wise odorization of a gas mixture flowing within a gas line.

As part of the energy transition, the use of hydrogen instead of natural gas for the generation of thermal energy, e.g. B. for the heating of households is being discussed more and more intensively.

A conversion from natural gas to hydrogen can only be carried out gradually due to the current low availability of hydrogen. On the way to a nationwide supply of hydrogen, there will therefore be a gradual conversion of partial quantities of the natural gas currently flowing in gas pipelines to hydrogen, so that a gas mixture of natural gas and hydrogen will flow through the gas pipelines.

Since the energy content of hydrogen is only about a third of the energy content of natural gas, the volume flow of the gas mixture will also increase as part of the gradual conversion. This also increases the need for an odorant, which must be added to the gas mixture in order to reduce the risk of a hazard from the largely odorless gas mixture.

In the case of the different gas mixtures flowing in the gas lines of different distribution networks, it must be ensured that the odorant is added to the different gas mixtures in the different gas distribution networks or regions in a sufficient quantity and evenly. From an economic point of view, only as much odorant should be added to the gas mixture as is really necessary for safety reasons in order to keep excessive consumption of the cost-intensive resources of the odorant to a minimum. Added to this is the difficulty that the proportions of hydrogen and natural gas in the gas mixtures flowing through the gas lines could fluctuate.

The object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, safe and reliable way of meeting the above requirements in future gas lines, in particular ensuring that the gas mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas in the gas lines of different gas distribution networks or areas meet the safety requirements Meet the requirements for the odorization, taking into account the economic aspects.

The above object is achieved by the odorization test system according to claim 1. Further advantages and details of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The odorization test system according to the invention for test-wise odorization of a gas mixture flowing within a gas line has a bypass line. The bypass line has two connection points for connecting to the gas line, a receiving device for receiving an odorizing nozzle (often also called an injection nozzle or odorizing nozzle) and one Measuring device equipped for measuring the proportion of odorant in the gas mixture. In addition, the odorization test facility is designed to be mobile.

Correspondingly, the mobile odorization test system can easily be brought to different gas lines, in particular different gas distribution networks or regions, and there a bypass line can be connected to the gas lines in order to test for odorization. When using the mobile odorization test system, no time-consuming and costly installation of measuring devices and odorization nozzles or odorization systems on the gas lines or connections of the gas lines is necessary in order to test the odorization with changing gas mixtures. If, for example, the gas in a gas line of a gas distribution network is to be changed, for example from 0% hydrogen to 20% hydrogen in the gas mixture, it is not necessary to convert the existing odorization system there without tested odorization system configurations (for hydrogen). In order to find out what the necessary amount of odorant or which odorant or what type of odorant dosing system is in the gas line for the specific gas composition and gas quality provided in this gas distribution network, the mobile odorization test system can be brought to this gas distribution network and the bypass line without Disturbance of the gas distribution operation can be connected to the gas line to take over the testing. For this purpose, the odorizing nozzle can be accommodated in the receiving device and odorant can be added to the gas mixture flowing in the bypass line in order to change the odorant content. An analysis of the proportion of odorant that has been introduced into the gas mixture by means of the odorant nozzle can be carried out using the measuring device in order to ensure that, given the prevailing conditions, such as gas mixture composition and gas quality, sufficient odorant has evaporated or been absorbed by the gas mixture in order to to meet the necessary safety requirements for the gas mixture.

The odor test facility may include a trailer for an automobile, a shipping container, or an automobile. As a result, the odorization test system can be made mobile in a simple manner. In the trailer variant, tires and a trailer hitch for coupling to a motor vehicle can be provided at the odorization test facility. In this case, the bypass line is in the trailer arranged. In the variant of the transport container, which can also be referred to as a container or transport frame, crane connection means such as eyelets or the like can be provided for attaching a crane to the odorization test facility. In this way, the transport container can be heaved onto a truck or the like in order to then be taken to the place of use. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the transport container is designed to be picked up by a forklift or the like, in order to be loaded onto a truck or another vehicle. The bypass line can be arranged in the transport container. In the variant of the motor vehicle, it can be a commercial vehicle that has a loading space in which the bypass line is arranged.

Irrespective of the specific implementation of the mobility of the odorization test facility, the odorization test facility accordingly has a type of housing or container in and/or on which it is located with its technical systems, in particular the bypass line. The odorization test facility or the housing or the container can in particular have lockable access means for entering, such as a door or a roller shutter. In this respect, it can therefore be a walk-in odorization test facility. In addition, flaps, doors, windows or the like can be provided on the housing or container of the odorization test facility, which allow direct access to the connection points of the bypass line and possibly other system parts or components of the odorization test facility, such as an odorization facility. A control cabinet with electronics for the odorization test system can be located inside or outside the housing or container.

Provision can be made for an exchangeable odorizing nozzle to be accommodated in the receiving device. The interchangeability of the odorant nozzles on the receiving device makes it possible to test different odorant nozzles for the distribution of the odorant that emerges from the odorant nozzles in liquid form and evaporates in the gas mixture. The odorizing nozzles can differ, for example, in terms of their materials, their diameter, etc., and can deliver different evaporation capacities. Different odorant nozzles can be kept available in the odorant test facility. The provision of different odorizing nozzles in the odorizing test facility enables them to be tested for the given conditions of the gas mixture, i.e in particular the gas composition and the gas quality. In this way, the optimal odorant nozzles can be found during odorization tests using the odorization test system, which deliver a high evaporation capacity for the given gas composition and gas quality. These odorizing nozzles can then be used in the gas line in order to keep the evaporation capacity high and thus to waste as little odorant as possible or to provide the necessary odorization and the associated safety with as little odorant as possible.

In addition, it can be provided that a molded part with a sight glass is connected to the bypass line. The sight glass enables the technicians on site to check the gas mixture flowing in the bypass line optically or visually.

In this case, it can be provided that the sight glass is arranged relative to the receiving device in such a way that the odorizing nozzle can be checked visually by means of the sight glass. This enables the on-site technicians to check the odorizing nozzle optically or visually. In this way, on the one hand, the evaporation of the odorant can be checked and, on the other hand, the wear and tear of the odorant nozzle can be inspected for the given gas mixture without removing the odorant nozzle or interrupting the odorant test operation.

It can also be provided that the measuring device comprises at least one gas chromatograph. Other quantitative and qualitative measurement methods can also be used. For example, measurement methods are mentioned here that work on an electrochemical, photo-optical or calorimetric basis. The gas chromatograph can not only be set up to determine the proportion of odorant in the gas mixture, but also to determine the gas composition itself, ie the proportions of hydrogen and natural gas and possibly other gases.

It can be provided that the measuring device has a gas chromatograph (or a measuring device for carrying out a qualitative or quantitative measuring method) in front of the recording device or the odorizing nozzle accommodated therein and a gas chromatograph (or a measuring device for carrying out a qualitative or quantitative measuring method) behind the recording device or .the one in it recorded odorant includes. Correspondingly, the odorant proportion already present in the gas mixture before the odorization test and the odorant proportion added to the gas mixture by the odorization test can be determined accordingly by means of the odorization test system. For example, it is also possible for the measuring device to use further or different measuring methods than gas chromatography. The (additional) measuring methods of the measuring device can be based, for example, on an electrochemical, photo-optical and/or calorimetric basis. The measuring device can therefore include in particular electrochemical, photo-optical and/or calorimetric sensors.

In addition, it can be provided that the bypass line has a mixer element for mixing a gas into the gas mixture flowing in the bypass line. The mixer element is preferably arranged in front of the odorizing nozzle or its receiving device. The admixed gas can in particular be hydrogen, which is admixed to the gas mixture, which can consist of natural gas or a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. To this extent, the mixer element in the bypass line allows the gas mixture to be changed for future changes in the gas mixture in the gas line. If, for example, the hydrogen content of the gas mixture flowing in the gas line in a gas distribution network is to be increased in the future, this gas mixture with the increased hydrogen content can be tested beforehand on the odorization test facility by appropriate hydrogen admixture using the mixer element. In particular, a test odorization can then take place using the odorizing nozzle in the bypass line in order, as already explained above, to be able to determine the optimum amount of odorant and/or the odorizing nozzle with the least wear and/or the highest evaporation capacity for future operation of the gas line.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the odorization test system has an odorization system with an odorant metering pump and an odorant reservoir. The odorant metering pump can be correspondingly connected to the odorant nozzle in order to use the odorant metering pump to spray odorant from the odorant reservoir into the bypass line in metered amounts.

It can be provided that the odorization system has an electrical preheating unit for the odorant. As a result, the evaporation rate of the odorant in the gas mixture flowing through the bypass line can be increased. In particular, it can be provided that the electrical preheating unit is set up in such a way that different preheating temperatures of the odorant, which is metered in or pumped from the odorant metering pump, can be set. In this way, the odorization test can be expanded to include the objective of determining an optimal preheating temperature of the odorant to increase the evaporation rate.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the odorization test facility has a control unit for controlling an odorization test process. The control unit can be designed for fully automated execution of an odorization test process. For example, it can be provided that the control unit works according to a control program that regulates the amount of odorant added to the flowing gas mixture by controlling the odorant system. For this purpose, the control program can provide that the gas chromatograph (or qualitative or quantitative measuring method) is used to record the amount of odorant contained in the gas mixture, in particular the evaporation rate of the odorant is calculated, and this is used by the control unit as a feedback value for regulating the metering of the odorant amount will.

Provision can also be made for the odorization test system to have a remote data transmission unit. The remote data transmission unit can be set up to monitor and control the odorization test system, in particular its control device. By means of the remote data transmission unit, the odorization test can also be carried out from outside the odorization test facility or in particular at a physically remote location, for example at a control center. In addition, the data obtained from the odorization test or the odorization test attempts can be transmitted to a decentralized data storage unit by means of the remote data transmission unit, in which the test or operating data of this and possibly other mobile odorization test systems can be stored and evaluated if necessary. In addition to this, the usual local storage of the data is of course also possible, for which purpose a data memory can be provided in the odorization test facility.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the odorization test system includes a GPS transmitter. The GPS transmitter can be set up for location and theft monitoring. This makes it possible to leave the odorization test facility at the site of use in the gas distribution network for longer periods of time. The GPS transmitter can also be used to support the operational planning of the mobile odorization test facility.

Provision can also be made for the odorization test facility to have its own power supply source. In principle, a primary power supply for the odorization test system can be provided via a power connection to a local electrical network. However, the own power supply source makes the odorization test system self-sufficient, so it can also be used if there is no access to an electrical network or to bridge power failures. For example, the power supply source can be a photovoltaic system that can be installed, for example, on a roof of the odorization test facility, in particular on a trailer, container or vehicle. It would also be possible to generate the electricity requirement via a fuel cell or a commercially available internal combustion engine-driven electricity generator that can be operated, for example, with petrol, diesel or also natural gas or gas containing hydrogen. In such an application, the own power supply source is in particular a (commonly available) power generator driven by an internal combustion engine.

It is also possible to provide gas reservoirs or gas tanks containing a gas mixture, in particular natural gas and/or hydrogen, in the odorization test facility. As a result, not only the gas mixture flowing in the bypass line can be changed in order to enable testing of a changed gas mixture, as described above. In particular, the mixer element already mentioned above can be used for this purpose, by means of which the gas can be introduced from the gas reservoir or gas tank into the bypass line. It is also possible to provide an emergency gas supply in the event of planned or unplanned gas supply interruptions.

Finally, it can be provided that the bypass line is connected to the gas line in such a way that the gas mixture flowing in the gas line can flow through the gas line and past the bypass line on the one hand and through the on the other hand Bypass line and can flow back into the gas line. As a result, the already mentioned test operation of the mobile odorization test facility can be guaranteed without affecting the gas supply of households via the gas line.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine mobile Odorierungstestanlage gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung; und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die mobile Odorierungstestanlage, welche an eine Gasleitung angeschlossen ist.

The invention is explained in more detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawing. All of the features resulting from the claims, the description or the figure, including structural details, can be essential to the invention both on their own and in any various combinations. Show it:

1

a schematic plan view of a mobile odorization test system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

2

a schematic plan view of the mobile odorization test facility, which is connected to a gas line.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the figures 1 and 2 each provided with the same reference numerals.

figure 1 12 shows a mobile odorization test facility 10 in a plan view, with a roof of the odorization test facility 10 removed or not shown to allow a view of the components within the odorization test facility 10. FIG. Some elements, in particular in an odorization system 30 and in a control box 17, are only shown in a purely schematic representation.

The odorization test system 10 shown here is mobile in that it is equipped with a trailer 11 with a trailer hitch 12 so that it can be pulled by a vehicle (not shown) and brought to a place of use on a gas distribution network or in a gas distribution network. As an alternative to this embodiment of the mobile odorization test system 10 with a trailer 11, it is also conceivable that the odorization test system 10 is mobile in a different way, ie not permanently installed but transportable from one location to another. Examples are containers or transport frames or commercial vehicles in which the components of mobile odorization test system 10, in particular the bypass line 20 with its components, as will be explained in more detail below, can be arranged.

In the odorization test system 10 there is a bypass line 20. How figure 2 shows, this bypass line 20 is connected to a gas line 60, which is only partially shown here. For this purpose, the bypass line 20 has two connection points 21, 22, which in the present case are formed by flanges. These are connected to the gas line 60 by means of suitable lines 61, 62, for example in the form of pipes or hoses, a flange connection being shown here again, for example, at the connection points on the gas line 60 side.

Flaps 15, 16 are provided on one side or side wall of the odorization test system 10, which are opposite the connection points 21, 22. These are folded up in order to bring the lines 61, 62 to the connection points 21, 22 and connect them. In addition to these entrances into the odorization test facility 10, a large flap 14 is also provided between the two small flaps 15, 16 for easy access to an odorization facility 30 in the odorization test facility 10. Furthermore, the odorization test facility 10 can be entered via a roller shutter 13 .

A gas mixture of natural gas flows through the gas line 60 . It can also contain hydrogen. Since natural gas and hydrogen are largely odorless, an odorant must be added to the gas mixture so that a hazard from undetected gas can be avoided. Since the amount of odorant that is required depends on various conditions, such as in particular the gas mixture composition and the gas quality, which can vary and which possibly cannot be influenced, it is typically necessary to provide a comparatively high amount of odorant.

Using the mobile odorization test system 10, on the other hand, it is possible to carry out test odorization in the bypass line 20 parallel to the gas operation in the gas line 60 in order to determine or check the amount of odorant in the gas mixture. Furthermore, the quantity of odorant in the gas mixture can thus be increased by addition by means of an odorizing nozzle 31, which is accommodated on a receiving device of the bypass line 20. be increased and in turn the influence on the gas composition can be measured. This is particularly advantageous when the gas composition is or is to be changed in order to determine what is the optimal amount of odorant needed to meet the safety requirements.

The odorization test system 10 has the odorization system 30 for metering odorant into the gas mixture branched off into the bypass line 20 . The odorant system 30 comprises an odorant reservoir 32 in which the odorant is stored, an odorant metering pump 33 and an electric preheating unit 33 for preheating the odorant before it is injected into the gas mixture by means of the odorant nozzle 31 connected thereto to increase the evaporation capacity of the odorant.

In addition to varying the odorant in the flowing gas mixture, the odorization test system 10 can also be used to test different types or types of odorant nozzles 31 . For this purpose, the receiving device is set up in such a way that different odorizing nozzles 31 can be removably received in it. In this way, the wear behavior of the odorizing nozzles 31 can be examined or tested for different gas compositions and gas qualities, and the optimal odorizing nozzle can be found for the specific conditions on the gas line 60 of this specific gas distribution network.

In addition, an optical or visual check of the wear behavior of the odorizing nozzle 31 and the evaporation behavior of the odorant in the gas mixture in the bypass line 20 is provided by a sight glass 41 in a molded part 40 which is arranged on the bypass line 20 . The sight glass 41 enables a view through the molded part 40 to the odorizing nozzle 31 in the bypass line 20.

Another manipulated variable that can be changed using the odorization test system 10 in order to test the odorization or to improve the odorization in the gas line 60 based on tests using the odorization test system 10 is the admixture of gases, in particular hydrogen, to the gas mixture branched off in the bypass line 20. For this purpose, the bypass line 20 has a mixer element 27. Via the mixer element 27, another gas, in particular hydrogen, can be be mixed in. This can be particularly advantageous if the gas composition in the gas line 60 fluctuates or is to be changed in the future. It can then be ensured by means of the odorization test system 10 or tests on it that optimal odorization of the gas mixture takes place.

In addition to the components already mentioned on the bypass line 20, a measuring device with two gas chromatographs 25, 26 and a gas meter 29 is provided. The gas chromatographs 25, 26 are each arranged on sleeves 23, 24 of the bypass line 20. The gas chromatograph 25 is arranged at the inlet of the bypass line 20 or in front of the odorizing nozzle 31 and in front of the gas meter 29 . The gas chromatograph 26 is arranged at the outlet of the bypass line 20 or behind the odorizing nozzle 31 and behind the gas meter 29 . Finally, the bypass line 20 has a manual valve 28 for closing the bypass line 20 .

Furthermore, the odorization test facility 10 has a switch cabinet 17 in which a control unit 50 for controlling odorization test processes is arranged. The control cabinet 17 also has a remote data transmission unit 51 for transmitting the data obtained from the test processes and a GPS transmitter 52 for locating the odorization test system 10 . Alternatively, the control unit 50, the remote data transmission unit 51 and the GPS transmitter 52 can be located outside of the switch cabinet 17.

Reference List

10

odorization test facility

11

follower

12

trailer hitch

13

shutter

14, 15, 16

Succeed

17

switch cabinet

20

bypass line

21, 22

connection points

23, 24

sleeves

25, 26

gas chromatograph

27

mixer element

28

manual valve

29

gas meter

30

odorization system

31

odor nozzle

32

odorant reservoir

33

odorant dosing pump

34

electric preheater

40

molding

41

sight glass

50

control unit

51

remote data transmission unit

52

GPS transmitter

60

gas line

61, 62

cables

Claims (15)

Odorization test facility (10) for test-wise odorization of a gas mixture flowing within a gas line (60), the odorization test facility (10) having a bypass line (20) which has two connection points (21, 22) for connection to the gas line (60), one Recording device for receiving an odorizing nozzle (31) and a measuring device for measuring the proportion of odorant in the gas mixture is equipped, and wherein the odorization test system (10) is designed to be mobile. The odor test facility (10) according to claim 1, wherein the odor test facility (10) comprises a trailer (11) for an automobile, a shipping container or an automobile. Odorization test system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an exchangeable odorizing nozzle (31) is accommodated in the receiving device. Odorization test system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a molded part (40) with a sight glass (41) is connected to the bypass line (20). Odorization test system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the sight glass (41) is arranged relative to the receiving device such that the odorizing nozzle (31) can be checked visually by means of the sight glass (41). Odorization test system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring device comprises at least one gas chromatograph (25, 26). Odoration test facility (10) according to claim 6, wherein the measuring device comprises a gas chromatograph (25) in front of the receiving device and a gas chromatograph (26) after the receiving device. Odorization test system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass line (20) has a mixer element (27) for admixing a gas into the gas mixture flowing in the bypass line (20). Odorization test facility (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the odorization test facility (10) has an odorization facility (30) with an odorant metering pump (32) and an odorant reservoir (32). Odorization test system (10) according to claim 9, wherein the odorization system (30) has an electrical preheating unit (33) for the odorant. Odorization test facility (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the odorization test facility (10) has a control unit (50) for controlling an odorization test process. Odorization test facility (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the odorization test facility (10) has a remote data transmission unit (51). The odor test facility (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the odor test facility (10) comprises a GPS transmitter (52). The odor test facility (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the odor test facility (10) has its own power supply source. Odorization test system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bypass line (20) is connected to the gas line (60) in such a way that the gas mixture flowing in the gas line (60) flows through the gas line (60) on the one hand and past the bypass line (20 ) can flow and on the other hand can flow through the bypass line (20) and back into the gas line (60).

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