GB2430496A - Measuring input power and flow rate in a pipline for determining a leakage or blockage condition - Google Patents
Measuring input power and flow rate in a pipline for determining a leakage or blockage condition Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2430496A GB2430496A GB0618878A GB0618878A GB2430496A GB 2430496 A GB2430496 A GB 2430496A GB 0618878 A GB0618878 A GB 0618878A GB 0618878 A GB0618878 A GB 0618878A GB 2430496 A GB2430496 A GB 2430496A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pump
- input power
- flow
- pipeline
- leakage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 abstract description 16
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010865 sewage Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
- G01P13/00—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement
- G01P13/0006—Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement of fluids or of granulous or powder-like substances
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
- G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
- G01M3/2807—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Control Of Non-Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
Abstract
A method of monitoring flow through a pipeline comprises preparing a graph showing the relationship between the rate of flow of fluid through the pipeline and the input power for a plurality of conditions, including leakage conditions and blockage conditions. The input power, which is representative of the head pressure, can be determined by measuring the torque applied to the pump and its rotational speed, or via a direct measurement of the voltage and current applied to an electrical pump motor. The operator obtains a reading related to the input power and a reading relating to the rate of flow, correlates said readings and ascertains whether the pipeline is subject to a blockage or a leakage by comparison with said graph. Effectively, the pumping efficiency of the fluid system is determined both before and after a change in condition and then compared.
Description
DETECTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to detection methods and systems.
One object of the present invention is to provide a detection method and system that can be used to detect whether a pumping main has suffered a failure, either as a partial leak or as a full burst.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detection method and system that can be used to identify other associated pumping problems, such as pumping plant / pumping main / associated pipework blockage or air locking of the pumping asset.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detection method and system that can be used for the identification of a leak / burst, or pumping problem on any pumping system and with any fluid, single or multi-phase.
Every pump has its own characteristics and the characteristic of performance is normally defined by the pump head, shaft power and pump 1 overall efficiency characteristics. These three characteristics are normally plotted against flow rate and so can be graphically represented. These principles are well documented.
The pump characteristics are different as between centrifugal and noncentrifugal units, and also vary within the sub groups of each category.
The pump characteristic curves can be varied by speed change, this is modification of a pump characteristic is determined by the affinity laws.
In addition to a pump having a set of characteristics, the pumping system also has a set of characteristics; these are known as the system curves. A system curve is the measurement of the resistance within all of the pipework associated with the pump from the entry bellmouth in the suction tank, through to the discharge point downstream of the pump and all of the pipework in between.
Normally, the system curve characteristics are sub-divided up into; a) Suction system - generally the pipework associated with the suction of the pump from the suction tank to the pump.
b) Delivery system - generally the pipework associated with the delivery of the pump from the pump to the final point of delivery often a tank or reservoir.
c) Total system - the combination of the two system characteristics a) and b) to produce a general system characteristic.
The two components of a system characteristic are the static component, i. e. the vertical height between the suction water level and the highest atmospheric break in the system, and the frictional component, which is associated with the resistance of the pipe surfaces.
Normally, but not exclusively, the static head can vary as the level in the suction tank I reservoir I water level changes. An increase in suction level will reduce the differential height in the static head and conversely a decrease in suction level will increase the static head. A similar effect can take place in the discharge point of the system. However, an increase in level will, if the pipe discharge is submerged, result in an increase in static head and a decrease if the level drops.
The system friction component is a function of the surface roughness of the pipe, the length of the pipe and any losses associated with valves and fittings in the pipework and its construction. This loss is normally represented as a head valve, which has to be overcome at various flowrates in order for the fluid to be transmitted down the pipeline.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a method of monitoring flow through a pipeline, which method comprises preparing a graph showing the relationship between the rate of flow of fluid through the pipeline and the input power for a plurality of conditions, including leakage conditions and blockage conditions, obtaining a reading related to the input power and a reading relating to the rate of flow, correlating said readings and ascertaining whether the pipeline is subject to a blockage or a leakage by comparison with said graph.
The apparatus used for carrying out said method may be classified as being one of two types of unit, i.e. a simple unit, relating to duty / standby pumping of a centrifugal characteristic, and a complex unit, relating to paraleI pumping, variable speed and non-centrifugal characteristics.
The pump performance and the system characteristic are the two parameters that will determine the point of pumping.
The assessment of the relationship between the intersection of the pump head characteristic and the system characteristic is an important feature of the detector method and system of the present invention. In essence, the pump head characteristic can only intersect the system characteristic at one point, without modification to either the pump head through throttling or speed change or through modification of the system curve, by changing either the static level or the resistance of the pipeline.
At this intersection, not only is the parameter of head vs. flow rate known, but also so are the power vs. flow, the efficiency vs. flow and the suction level of the system. This means that the pump and system characteristic can be defined through the measurement of motor input power and suction level, since these can be related to all of the other parameters.
It is the knowledge of how any change in these two parameters can be interpreted as either a leak or burst in the main, a blockage in the pumping asset or air locking of the pump, that determines how the leak / burst main detector functions.
For the simple leak / burst main detector, any variation in the power is cross-correlated with the anticipated power drawn to determine whether the change is due to system change or whether there may be a potential problem with any part of the pumping asset.
For the complex leak / burst main detector, the algorithm not only considers the effect of suction level on the power characteristic, but the operational speed of the pump and the discharge pressure in making its assessment.
As described in British Patent Specification No. 2313197, pump flow can be determined from the power drawn by the pump.
If the power drawn by the pump is outside the anticipated range
then various conclusions may be drawn.
Power Higher Than Anticipated: This would indicate high flows, which in turn may be due to a burst or leakage problem.
Power Lower Than Anticipated: This would indicate a low flow condition that may be due to either a blockage or a worn pump.
Power Lower Than Original Curve: In this case which is a very low power consideration it is likely that the pump is air locked.
Predictive Condition: Depending upon the extent of the discrepancy between the measured power and the anticipated power, then an alarm system may be generated which will indicate a potential leakage or blockage. This gives an early warning system.
Pump Efficiency Pump efficiency is determined from the following ratio OutputPower, where InputPower Output Power = pH Input Power, where p Specific Gravity g = Acceleration due to Gravity Q = Pump Flow H = Total Head Generated by Pump P Input Power The head generated by the pump is obtained by measuring the suction head, and the discharge head f(P) is determined from the original pump performance curve.
P is measured directly from a power meter connected to the motor supply.
p is a known function of the fluid being pumped.
An important advantage of this method and system is that the direct measurement of the flow is not required.
The simple Leak / Burst Main Detector works through the measurement of two key parameters with, if applicable, the measurement of further parameters.
The key parameters are the power characteristic of the pumps and the sump level from which the pumps are drawing.
For more complex pumping systems, i.e. parallel pumping, variable speed or positive displacement pumps, then a combination of pump delivery pressure, suction pressure and rotational speed may be required to help provide discrimination of the measured data in order to determine whether a failure has occurred.
The single figure of the accompanying drawing shows a graph plotting true input power against flow rate for a specific pump and pipeline application, for example, a sewage pump system.
If readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 10 and 11, then a burst is indicated. If readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 11 and 12, there is a risk of a burst. If readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 12 and 13, the system is operating normally. If readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 13 and 14, there is a risk of a blockage. If readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 14 and 15, there is a definite blockage and, if readings are obtained that correspond to a position on the graph between points 15 and 16, there is an air-locked pump.
Claims (5)
- Claims:- 1. A method of monitoring flow through a pipeline, which methodcomprises preparing a graph showing the relationship between the rate of flow of fluid through the pipeline and the input power for a plurality of conditions, including leakage conditions and blockage conditions, obtaining a reading related to the input power and a reading relating to the rate of flow, correlating said readings and ascertaining whether the pipeline is subject to a blockage or a leakage by comparison with said graph.
- 2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the flow through the pipeline is obtained by operation of a pump having a motor and in which the pump and system characteristics are defined by measurement of pump motor input power and suction level.
- 3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which pump efficiency is determined by the ratio OuzputPower, where Inpu iPower Output Power = pQH Input Power, where p = Specific Gravity g = Acceleration due to Gravity o = Pump Flow H = Total Head Generated by Pump P = Input Power.
- 4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, in which P is measured directly from a power meter connected to the motor supply.
- 5. A method of monitoring flow through a pipeline substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0519631.6A GB0519631D0 (en) | 2005-09-27 | 2005-09-27 | Detection methods and systems |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0618878D0 GB0618878D0 (en) | 2006-11-01 |
| GB2430496A true GB2430496A (en) | 2007-03-28 |
Family
ID=35335496
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0519631.6A Ceased GB0519631D0 (en) | 2005-09-27 | 2005-09-27 | Detection methods and systems |
| GB0618878A Withdrawn GB2430496A (en) | 2005-09-27 | 2006-09-26 | Measuring input power and flow rate in a pipline for determining a leakage or blockage condition |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0519631.6A Ceased GB0519631D0 (en) | 2005-09-27 | 2005-09-27 | Detection methods and systems |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0519631D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010067128A1 (en) * | 2008-12-11 | 2010-06-17 | Brinker Technology Limited | Method for estimating the location of a leak in a pipeline |
| CN105466707A (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-04-06 | 横河自控亚洲私人有限公司 | Method, system and computer program for fault detection in a machine |
| EP3654009A3 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2020-08-19 | Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG | Assembly and method for detecting leaks in a water guidance system |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2313197A (en) * | 1996-05-08 | 1997-11-19 | Advanced Energy Monitor Syst | Measuring pump flow rate |
| WO2000027457A1 (en) * | 1998-11-05 | 2000-05-18 | Resmed Ltd. | Fault diagnosis in cpap and nippv devices |
| WO2003031918A1 (en) * | 2001-10-09 | 2003-04-17 | Abb Ab | Device, system and method for on-line monitoring of flow quantities |
| WO2005085772A1 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2005-09-15 | Abb Oy | Method and arrangement for measuring indirectly with power, rotation speed and pump head the flow in a pump |
-
2005
- 2005-09-27 GB GBGB0519631.6A patent/GB0519631D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2006
- 2006-09-26 GB GB0618878A patent/GB2430496A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2313197A (en) * | 1996-05-08 | 1997-11-19 | Advanced Energy Monitor Syst | Measuring pump flow rate |
| WO2000027457A1 (en) * | 1998-11-05 | 2000-05-18 | Resmed Ltd. | Fault diagnosis in cpap and nippv devices |
| WO2003031918A1 (en) * | 2001-10-09 | 2003-04-17 | Abb Ab | Device, system and method for on-line monitoring of flow quantities |
| WO2005085772A1 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2005-09-15 | Abb Oy | Method and arrangement for measuring indirectly with power, rotation speed and pump head the flow in a pump |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010067128A1 (en) * | 2008-12-11 | 2010-06-17 | Brinker Technology Limited | Method for estimating the location of a leak in a pipeline |
| CN105466707A (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-04-06 | 横河自控亚洲私人有限公司 | Method, system and computer program for fault detection in a machine |
| CN105466707B (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2021-09-03 | 横河自控亚洲私人有限公司 | Method, system and computer program for fault detection in a machine |
| EP3654009A3 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2020-08-19 | Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG | Assembly and method for detecting leaks in a water guidance system |
| US11493401B2 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2022-11-08 | Viega Technology Gmbh & Co. Kg | Arrangement and method for detecting leaks in a water pipe system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0519631D0 (en) | 2005-11-02 |
| GB0618878D0 (en) | 2006-11-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |