WO2008119932A1 - Sewage pump blockage detection - Google Patents
Sewage pump blockage detection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008119932A1 WO2008119932A1 PCT/GB2008/000955 GB2008000955W WO2008119932A1 WO 2008119932 A1 WO2008119932 A1 WO 2008119932A1 GB 2008000955 W GB2008000955 W GB 2008000955W WO 2008119932 A1 WO2008119932 A1 WO 2008119932A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- pump
- control unit
- operable
- look
- blocked
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/02—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions
- F04D15/0209—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the working fluid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/0066—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/0088—Testing machines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/02—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions
- F04D15/0209—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the working fluid
- F04D15/0218—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the working fluid the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
- F04D15/0236—Lack of liquid level being detected by analysing the parameters of the electric drive, e.g. current or power consumption
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/02—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions
- F04D15/0245—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition of the pump
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D15/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
- F04D15/02—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions
- F04D15/0281—Stopping of pumps, or operating valves, on occurrence of unwanted conditions responsive to a condition not otherwise provided for
Definitions
- the present invention relates to improvements in sewage pumping and in particular to improvements in detecting whether a sewage pump is blocked.
- waste water and sewage flows out of homes, businesses and surface water drains into a sewer system through which it is directed to a treatment works.
- the treatment works the water is separated and purified for discharge into the water course.
- the waste water and sewage flows primarily under gravity. This may not be possible throughout the whole network.. Accordingly, at some points, pumping stations are provided.
- the pumping stations are operable to raise waste water and sewage from the low end of one part of the system (the 'wet well') to the high end of an adjacent part of the system. Once in the adjacent part of the system, flow under gravity may resume. In certain systems smaller pumping stations may discharge into larger stations as so on until the flows reach the treatment works.
- the pump may become blocked by the solid material in the waste water.
- a self cleaning procedure is initiated, typically involving reversal of the pump. If, after the self cleaning procedure, a blockage is still detected, the pump is shut down and an engineer is despatched to inspect and repair the pump.
- the same methods are used to determine whether a pump is blocked. This method involves monitoring the current drawn by the pump and dete ⁇ nining that a blockage has occurred when the monitored current exceeds a preset threshold. In such applications, as the amount of power required by the pump in normal operation does not vary appreciably this method works well. In sewage pumping however, the amount of solid material in the water can vary significantly which in turn significantly alters the power required by the pump to pump it out of the wet well.
- a method of monitoring a pump operable to pump sewage from a wet well comprising the steps of: detecting the current drawn by the pump; detecting the speed of operation of the pump; detecting the wet well level; and comparing each of the detected values with stored values in a look up table to determine whether the pump is blocked.
- This method by looking at the values of three parameters, allows for greater flexibility in determining when a blockage has occurred than the known method of the prior art. This additional flexibility allows a correction for the presence of variable amounts of solid material in the waste water and thus reduces false alarms.
- the look up table may be a standard look up table created for the pump. Alternatively, the look up table may be a look up table adapted to conform to the characteristics of a particular pumping station.
- the look up table may comprise upper and/or lower threshold values for each parameter. In order to determine that the pump is blocked, any two out of the three parameters or all three parameters may need to fall outside said threshold levels.
- the look up table may also comprise upper and/or lower super threshold levels wherein if the value of any one parameter falls outside the upper or lower super threshold, the pump is determined to be blocked. Additionally or alternatively, threshold levels and super threshold levels for one parameter may depend on the detected value of another parameter. For instance, pump speed threshold levels may be determined by the current drawn.
- the method may include the step of determining a rate of change of any or all of: the current drawn by the pump; the speed of operation of the pump; and the wet well level.
- the determined rate of change values may be compared with rate of change values stored in the look up table to aid determination of whether the pump is blocked.
- the look up table may comprise threshold levels and/or super threshold levels for the rates of change. To determine that the pump is blocked may require that two of the three or all threes rates of change fall outside the threshold levels or that at least one rate of change falls outside the super threshold levels.
- the or each threshold level and/or super threshold level may be dependent on the determined rate of change of a different parameter.
- a self cleaning procedure may be initiated.
- the self cleaning procedure may include reversing the operating direction of the pump.
- the pump is run in reverse at a specified speed for a specified time interval, then forward at a specified speed for a specified time interval, this procedure being repeated, say, three times. If, upon resumption of normal operation it is determined that the pump is still blocked, an alarm may be output.
- the method may include the step of storing current, pump speed and wet well level values for future reference.
- the method may also include the step of storing details of occasions upon which the self cleaning procedure was initiated and/or occasions upon which alarms are output.
- a control unit for a pump operable to pump sewage from a wet well comprising: current detection means; pump speed detection means; wet well level detection means; memory means operable to store a look up table of current, pump speed and wet well level values; and a processor operable to compare each of the detected current, speed and level values with values stored in the look up table to determine whether the pump is blocked.
- control unit of the second aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all of the features described in relation to the method of the first aspect of the invention as desired or as appropriate.
- the current, pump speed and wet well level can be monitored by any suitable means.
- the processor may also be operable to determine a rate of change of any or all of: the current drawn by the pump; the speed of operation of the pump; and the wet well level. The processor may then be operable to compare the determined rate of change values with rate of change values stored in the look up table to determine whether the pump is blocked.
- the control unit may be operable to initiate a self cleaning procedure if it is determined that the pump is blocked, hi the event that it is determined that the pump is still blocked after the self cleaning procedure, the processor may be operable to output an alarm signal.
- the alarm signal may be received by an alarm means.
- the alarm means may be an integral alarm means. Additionally or alternatively, the alarm means may be an external unit with a suitable connection to the control unit.
- the external unit may be an external server or computer.
- the memory means may be operable to store current, pump speed and wet well level values for future reference.
- the memory means may also be operable to store details of occasions upon which the self cleaning procedure was initiated and/or occasions upon which alarms are output.
- the control unit may be provided with a user interface.
- the user interface may be operable to enable the cancellation of an alarm, the out put of an alarm, the initiation of the self cleaning procedure and the transmission of data stored in the memory means to an external unit.
- a pump operable in accordance with the method of the first aspect of the present invention.
- a pump incorporating a control unit operable in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.
- a sewage pumping station incorporating a pump according to the third or fourth aspects of the present invention.
- a sewage network incorporating one or more pumping stations according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.
- Figure Ia is a schematic diagram of part of a sewer network showing a pumping station
- Figure Ib is a schematic diagram of the pumping station of figure Ia.
- FIG 2 is a schematic block diagram of a pump control system for the pumping station of figure 1.
- waste water flows under gravity in a first part 11 of a sewer network 10.
- the waste water is raised by a pumping station 100 to the high end of a second part 12 of the sewer network 10 where flow under gravity can resume.
- the sewer network 10 may be provided with a plurality of such pumping stations 100, as required.
- the pumping station 100 comprises a wet well 101 which waste water from the first sewer section 11 enters via an inlet 110.
- the waste water collects in the wet well 101 and is pumped out of the wet well 101 by a pump
- the pump 102 is controlled by a pump control unit 200 in response to the water level in the wet well 101 and the pump 102 operation speed.
- the pump control unit 200 is illustrated schematically in figure 2.
- the pump control unit comprises a processor 210 which receives signals from a pump speed monitor 202, a wet well level monitor 203 and a pump current monitor 204.
- the processor is operable to compare the signals received from monitors 202-204 with values for pump speed, wet well level and current in a look up table stored in memory means 205 to determine whether the pump 102 is blocked. This is achieved by comparing the detected values for each parameter with upper and lower threshold levels. If two or more of the detected values fall outside the respective threshold levels, then the pump is determined to be blocked.
- all three of the detected values may need to fall outside the respective threshold levels, for a determination that the pump is blocked.
- the threshold levels for some of the parameters may be dependent on the detected values of one or more of the other parameters.
- One of more of the parameters may have an upper and/or lower super threshold level, which if the detected value falls outside, is sufficient to determine that the pump is blocked.
- the processor may additionally or alternatively be operable to calculate the rate of change of the pump speed, wet well level and current and compare these with values stored in the look up table, as described above, to determine whether the pump 102 is blocked.
- the threshold levels may be standard threshold levels for the particular pump. Alternatively, the threshold levels may be optimised for the particular pumping station in which the pump is provided. Optimised levels may be input via an input/output interface 206. The input/output interface 206 may also be operable in some embodiments to output the threshold level information stored in the memory means 205.
- the processor determines that the pump 102 is blocked, it is operable to control the pump to operate a self cleaning procedure.
- the details of the initiation of the self cleaning procedure may also be stored in the memory means 205.
- the self cleaning procedure comprises the steps of running the pump in reverse at a relatively high speed for a relatively short period, then running the pump forwards at a relatively high speed for a relatively short period and repeating twice more. After this, normal operation is resumed.
- the processor 210 determines that the pump is still blocked, the pump 102 is shut down and an alarm signal is output.
- the alarm signal is passed to an alarm means 207 via the input/output interface 206.
- both the alarm means 207 and input/output interface 206 are separate components. It is of course possible that either or both may be implemented as part of the control unit 200. Similarly, it is possible that the alarm means 207 may be connected directly to the processor 210 rather than via the input/output interface 206.
- the input/output interface 206 may be used to retrieve data stored in the memory means 205, update data stored in the memory means 205, such as data stored in the look up table and/or override the processor 201 to issue/cancel an alarm or initiate/cancel a self cleaning procedure.
- the processor 201 may also be operable, when the pump is not determined to be blocked to operate any suitable pumping regime such as a batched pumping regime wherein once the level in the wet well 101 exceeds a predetermined pump start level, the pump 102 is started and runs at constant speed until the level in the wet well 101 drops below a predetermined stop level; or a constant level pumping regime wherein the pump 102 is run at a variable speed to transfer flows entering the wet well 101 directly to the adjacent part of the system 12.
- any suitable pumping regime such as a batched pumping regime wherein once the level in the wet well 101 exceeds a predetermined pump start level, the pump 102 is started and runs at constant speed until the level in the wet well 101 drops below a predetermined stop level; or a constant level pumping regime wherein the pump 102 is run at a variable speed to transfer flows entering the wet well 101 directly to the adjacent part of the system 12.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2008234704A AU2008234704A1 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2008-03-18 | Sewage pump blockage detection |
EP08718794A EP2137413A1 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2008-03-18 | Sewage pump blockage detection |
US12/593,912 US20100166569A1 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2008-03-18 | Sewage pump blockage detection |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0706115A GB2447867B (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2007-03-29 | Sewage pump blockage detection |
GB0706115.3 | 2007-03-29 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2008119932A1 true WO2008119932A1 (en) | 2008-10-09 |
Family
ID=38050449
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2008/000955 WO2008119932A1 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2008-03-18 | Sewage pump blockage detection |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100166569A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2137413A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2008234704A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2447867B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008119932A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2795134B1 (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2020-12-09 | Xylem IP Holdings LLC | Pump control including cleaning procedure or stopping depending on motor load |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2474691A (en) * | 2009-10-23 | 2011-04-27 | Inverter Drive Systems Ltd | Pump Control System And Method |
GB201108171D0 (en) * | 2011-05-17 | 2011-06-29 | Ids Maintenance Ltd | Deragging pump controller |
GB2512084A (en) * | 2013-03-19 | 2014-09-24 | Control Tech Ltd | Pump control |
JP5790689B2 (en) * | 2013-03-26 | 2015-10-07 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Electric pump control device |
GB201404957D0 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2014-04-30 | Clearwater Controls Ltd | Aerator apparatus |
DK3246572T3 (en) * | 2016-05-17 | 2019-03-11 | Xylem Ip Man Sarl | Method of identifying snoring |
CN114593958B (en) * | 2022-05-07 | 2022-07-22 | 奥来国信(北京)检测技术有限责任公司 | Continuous discontinuous sampling sample reserving device in remote control sewage inspection well |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6241485B1 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2001-06-05 | John W. Warwick | Wastewater flow control system |
FR2860271A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-04-01 | Realisations Electroniques Eur | Start-stop control device for pump, has microcontroller that compares measured and recorded effective current and time lag between voltage and current, and stops pump in case of low or high intensity of current to pump |
EP1564411A1 (en) * | 2004-02-11 | 2005-08-17 | Grundfos A/S | Method for detecting operation errors of a pump aggregate |
JP2006029222A (en) * | 2004-07-16 | 2006-02-02 | Tsurumi Mfg Co Ltd | Method of controlling pump |
EP1727269A2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2006-11-29 | Ksb S.A.S | Motor pump with detection of the type of current |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4529359A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1985-07-16 | Sloan Albert H | Sewerage pumping means for lift station |
DE3585410D1 (en) * | 1984-12-31 | 1992-03-26 | Rule Industries | CONTROL UNIT FOR PUMP AND METHOD. |
US6757665B1 (en) * | 1999-09-28 | 2004-06-29 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Detection of pump cavitation/blockage and seal failure via current signature analysis |
US6676382B2 (en) * | 1999-11-19 | 2004-01-13 | Campbell Hausfeld/Scott Fetzer Company | Sump pump monitoring and control system |
US6378554B1 (en) * | 2000-01-14 | 2002-04-30 | Little Giant Pump Company | Controlled sewage sump network system |
NL1020726C2 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2003-01-27 | Kanters Bedrijven Nv | Pump installation is particularly for use in buffer well, such as drainage well, and electrically driven pump together with control devices which dependent upon degree of fill in wall pump to discharge substrate present in well |
JP2003170155A (en) * | 2001-12-10 | 2003-06-17 | Kiyoyasu Yamakawa | Sewage treatment equipment |
US7988425B1 (en) * | 2006-06-06 | 2011-08-02 | Stingl David A | Pump and alarm control |
-
2007
- 2007-03-29 GB GB0706115A patent/GB2447867B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-03-18 WO PCT/GB2008/000955 patent/WO2008119932A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-03-18 US US12/593,912 patent/US20100166569A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-03-18 AU AU2008234704A patent/AU2008234704A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-03-18 EP EP08718794A patent/EP2137413A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6241485B1 (en) * | 1999-12-29 | 2001-06-05 | John W. Warwick | Wastewater flow control system |
FR2860271A1 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2005-04-01 | Realisations Electroniques Eur | Start-stop control device for pump, has microcontroller that compares measured and recorded effective current and time lag between voltage and current, and stops pump in case of low or high intensity of current to pump |
EP1564411A1 (en) * | 2004-02-11 | 2005-08-17 | Grundfos A/S | Method for detecting operation errors of a pump aggregate |
JP2006029222A (en) * | 2004-07-16 | 2006-02-02 | Tsurumi Mfg Co Ltd | Method of controlling pump |
EP1727269A2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2006-11-29 | Ksb S.A.S | Motor pump with detection of the type of current |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2795134B1 (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2020-12-09 | Xylem IP Holdings LLC | Pump control including cleaning procedure or stopping depending on motor load |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2008234704A1 (en) | 2008-10-09 |
EP2137413A1 (en) | 2009-12-30 |
GB0706115D0 (en) | 2007-05-09 |
US20100166569A1 (en) | 2010-07-01 |
GB2447867A (en) | 2008-10-01 |
GB2447867B (en) | 2010-01-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20100166569A1 (en) | Sewage pump blockage detection | |
JP6234732B2 (en) | Abnormality detection device, sewage transfer pump device and monitoring device | |
AU2009252910A1 (en) | Sump monitoring method and apparatus | |
JP2009103028A (en) | Control device and control method of rain water pump | |
RU2763295C1 (en) | Alarm control module for sewage pumping station | |
JPH08326109A (en) | Water supply direct-connection water service system | |
JP3649897B2 (en) | Direct water supply system | |
JP4739293B2 (en) | Rainwater pump control device | |
AU2014202608A1 (en) | Sewage pump blockage detection | |
KR102440215B1 (en) | Drainage pump control system with emergency driving function | |
US20100135823A1 (en) | sewage pumping | |
JP3294074B2 (en) | Rainwater pump control device and control method | |
JP2000110225A (en) | Method and device for controlling pump in vacuum sewerage system | |
JPH10231781A (en) | Pump operation control method in vacuum type sewage system | |
JP4108947B2 (en) | Air lock / suction blockage determination apparatus and method for pump equipment | |
JPH08232331A (en) | Flash flood detector in drainage system forecast method for flash flood arrival time and drainage system formed by using forecast method therefor | |
JP4728988B2 (en) | Pump control device | |
RU2802098C1 (en) | Ship sewage pumping plant | |
JPH07139023A (en) | Pump monitoring system for sewerage | |
JP4342381B2 (en) | Pump control device | |
JP3225235B2 (en) | Water supply device and its pump control method | |
JPH09119376A (en) | Water supply device for water system and method for operating pump thereof | |
JP3134176B2 (en) | Operation control method of wastewater treatment plant | |
JP2020148078A (en) | Rainwater pump control device | |
CN116804374A (en) | Multistage drainage cooperative control method based on water inflow prediction |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 08718794 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2008718794 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2008234704 Country of ref document: AU |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2008234704 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20080318 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 12593912 Country of ref document: US |