WO2009127879A2 - Améliorations apportées à la mesure et à la gestion des pertes de vapeur - Google Patents

Améliorations apportées à la mesure et à la gestion des pertes de vapeur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009127879A2
WO2009127879A2 PCT/GB2009/050386 GB2009050386W WO2009127879A2 WO 2009127879 A2 WO2009127879 A2 WO 2009127879A2 GB 2009050386 W GB2009050386 W GB 2009050386W WO 2009127879 A2 WO2009127879 A2 WO 2009127879A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
steam
signals
operating system
leakage
region
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2009/050386
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009127879A3 (fr
Inventor
Ashley Elkins
Ian Thomas Harvey
Original Assignee
Hydralogica Ip Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hydralogica Ip Limited filed Critical Hydralogica Ip Limited
Publication of WO2009127879A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009127879A2/fr
Publication of WO2009127879A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009127879A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/24—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
    • G01M3/243—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations for pipes
    • 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
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/24—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16T—STEAM TRAPS OR LIKE APPARATUS FOR DRAINING-OFF LIQUIDS FROM ENCLOSURES PREDOMINANTLY CONTAINING GASES OR VAPOURS
    • F16T1/00—Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers
    • F16T1/38—Component parts; Accessories
    • F16T1/48—Monitoring arrangements for inspecting, e.g. flow of steam and steam condensate

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improved steam wastage measurement and management in industrial plant, with the object of suggesting the most efficient steam plant maintenance programmes so as to reduce losses and overall energy consumption.
  • apparatus for detecting leakage of steam within a steam operating system comprising detection means operable to detect vibrational signals from a region of a steam operating system, such as a steam trap, indicative of steam leakage, and comparison means for comparing the vibrational signals detected by the detection means in the region to vibrational signals previously measured or calculated indicative of leakage of steam from a control region indicative of a known quantity of steam leakage, to thereafter indicate an actual or calculated quantity of steam leakage at the region being tested without reference to temperature or pressure of the steam.
  • the comparison means includes a look-up table of known vibrations measured or calculated at a region of a corresponding steam operating system, such as a steam trap, and an algorithm by which the actual steam wastage in mass per unit time can be calculated to thereafter indicate the actual level of leakage at the region under test.
  • the comparison means may be incorporated with the detection means at the region of the steam operating system under test, or may be calculated remotely, such as by a PDA after the PDA has recorded vibrational signals from the region under test and analysed them, or via a fixed installation, which may be wired or wireless, which continuously monitors one or more detection means situated at required points around the steam operating system.
  • a method of detecting the amount of steam leaking in a steam operating system which method includes the steps of measuring or calculating a plurality of vibrational signals indicative of a given quantity of steam leakage in a plurality of regions or apparatuses, such as a plurality of different makes and models of steam traps, for the steam operating system under test, and storing the indicative signals for subsequent access, measuring or calculating actual vibrational signals indicative of steam leakage at a chosen region in the steam operating system, such as at or near a steam trap, and comparing the signals obtained with the corresponding stored signals, and thereafter calculating actual steam loss in that region of the steam operating system without reference to temperature or pressure of the steam.
  • the detected vibrational signals are compared with previously measured or calculated signals indicative of leakage of steam from a control region by the use of Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition (TESPAR) techniques of the type described in our patent EP 0882288B, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • TSPAR Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition
  • apparatus for detecting, measuring and displaying the amount of leakage of steam within a steam operating system in real time
  • the apparatus comprising or including in combination a comparison means and a detection means, said detection means being operable to detect vibrational signals from a region of a steam operating system under test, such as a steam trap, indicative of actual steam leakage
  • the comparison means including a look-up table indicative of known vibrations previously measured or calculated at a region of a corresponding steam operating system, such as a corresponding steam trap forming part of a test rig, in which the vibrations have been analysed and interpreted using Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition (TESPAR), the detection means carrying out, in use, corresponding TESPAR analysis of the detected vibrational signals to thereafter indicate an actual quantity of steam leakage in the region being tested following comparison with identical or similar data in the look-up table.
  • TESPAR Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition
  • the apparatus is further characterised in that the detection means, in use, is operable to carry out TESPAR analysis of vibrational signals detected by said detection means to subtract therefrom signals caused by extraneous noise not associated with steam leakage by the use of TESPAR- based analysis of the vibrational signals being detected.
  • the detection means in use, is operable to carry out TESPAR analysis of vibrational signals detected by said detection means to subtract therefrom signals caused by extraneous noise not associated with steam leakage by the use of TESPAR- based analysis of the vibrational signals being detected.
  • the comparison means may be incorporated with the detection means for use at the region of the steam operating system under test, or via a fixed installation, which may be wired or wireless, which continuously monitors one or more detection means situated at required points around the steam operating system.
  • a method of detecting the amount of steam leaking in a steam operating system includes the steps of measuring or calculating a plurality of vibrational signals indicative of a given quantity of steam leakage in a plurality of regions or apparatuses, such as a plurality of different makes and models of steam traps, for the steam operating system under test, analysing the plurality of vibrational signals and interpreting them using Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition (TESPAR) and storing the steam leakage indicative signals in a look-up table for subsequent access, measuring or calculating actual vibrational signals indicative of steam leakage at a chosen region in the steam operating system, such as at or near a steam trap, analysing and interpreting the actual vibrational signals using TESPAR and comparing the signals obtained with the corresponding stored signals in the look-up table, and thereafter calculating and displaying actual steam loss in that region of the steam operating system.
  • TESPAR Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition
  • the method also includes the steps of subtracting by TESPAR analysis extraneous noise forming part of the detected vibrational signals and comparing the remaining data with the data from the look-up table to thereafter calculate actual steam loss without being adversely affected by extraneous noise.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic outline of leakage detection apparatus being used in part of a steam operating system
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the method of operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • FIG. 1 there is schematically shown part of a steam operating system which includes steam pipe 1 and conventional steam traps 2,3 being tested.
  • Steam trap 2 is being tested for steam leakage by means of a portable steam trap monitor shown generally at 4 which, during the test, communicates with a PDA-type device 5, in a manner to be described, and steam trap 3 is being tested by a permanently installed steam trap monitor shown generally at 6.
  • the portable steam monitor 4 has at its tapered end 7 an integral ultrasonic microphone (not shown) which, by being placed a short distance from steam trap 2, such as between 50mm and 250mm, can therefore detect ultrasonic vibrations in the pipe 1 indicative of steam passing through or out of the steam trap 2, whereafter the steam wastage result generated by the portable steam trap monitor 4 can be transferred to and between the portable PDA device 5 via a suitable radio link, such as a Bluetooth link.
  • a suitable radio link such as a Bluetooth link.
  • the permanently installed steam trap monitor 6 includes a collar 8 by which it is permanently affixed to the pipe 1 at a suitable distance downstream from the steam trap 3 and includes at its lower end a narrow stem portion 9 on the end of which adjacent to the pipe 1 is a vibration detector in the form of an ultrasonic microphone (not shown), producing vibration detection signals, which signals are processed by the permanently affixed device that sends the steam wastage result to the portable PDA device 5 via a radio link.
  • a vibration detector in the form of an ultrasonic microphone (not shown)
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a block diagram of a suitable system for detecting, measuring and displaying steam leakage by means of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and carrying out the method of the invention in its second aspect.
  • the block diagram is more suited to the system requirements for the portable steam trap monitor 4 although its basic operation is essentially the same as for the permanently installed steam trap monitor 6 in this particular embodiment of the invention.
  • a micro controller 10 is the main controller for the steam trap monitor 4 and is powered by a battery 11 which can be recharged via a charging connector 12, the battery voltage being regulated by a switched mode monitor and regulation circuit 13 which provides suitable rail voltages for the electronics and other components of the monitor 4.
  • Circuitry is provided to and from the various parts of the monitor 4, which includes an LCD display 14, up switch 15, down switch 16, power/select switch 17 and trigger 18.
  • the micro controller 10 is also connected via a Heterodyne circuit 19 to a vibration sensor in the form of an ultra-sonic microphone 20 close-coupled to the tip of the tapered lower end 7 (shown in Figure 1 ) of the portable monitor 4 such that when it is placed against the steam pipe 1 in the position shown it can 'listen' to the steam trap 2 and, in a manner to be described below, the portable monitor 4 can interface with the PDA-type device 5 for the purposes of monitoring and calculating steam wastage for display on the PDA-type device, or remotely if the data is collected and stored e.g. electronically on a machine-readable card.
  • An audio output circuit 21 provides a link to an audio headphone 22 and is provided with a gain switch having discrete volume steps allowing a listener to hear a lower frequency output of an originally ultra-sonic input signal received by the ultra-sonic microphone 20.
  • a radio interface 23 is provided and, where a hard wired connection is required, such as via a USB port, a serial interface 24 is connected to a data connector 25 for transmitting data measured, analysed and calculated by the micro-controller software.
  • the micro controller 10 includes a data memory log 26, which may be FLASH memory, application software 27 for controlling the various functions of the monitor 4 and TESPAR (Time Encoded Signal Processing And Recognition) software 28 for analysing Heterodyne signals from the Heterodyne circuit 19 for the subsequent generation of test results which can be stored in the data log 26 or transmitted via the radio interface 23 or serial interface 24 to a PDA device 5 or some other suitable device.
  • the PDA 5 (or other suitable device) stores all known data about trap type, trap model, trap size etc and this information is selectively downloaded by the monitor when a test is to be carried out.
  • the PDA device 5 may operate to simply receive vibrational signals, such as analogue signals, from the steam trap monitors 4, 6, and thereafter carry out the calculation and analysis of the signals and comparison with signals previously measured or calculated indicative of leakage of steam from a control region in the form of a look-up table which can then be used to indicate an actual or calculated quantity of steam leakage at the region being tested.
  • the PDA type of approach which is effectively the same as carrying out a survey of the steam leakage around the steam operating system and thereafter deciding whether the results warrant the closing down of the system for repairs, may be replaced with a permanently installed monitoring system in which a fixed installation continually monitors, by wired or wireless connection, a number of steam leak detection devices which detect vibrational signals from e.g. steam traps around the steam operating signal so as to provide a continuous assessment of steam plant efficiency, thereby permitting an overall assessment to be made as to when to close down the steam operating system most economically.
  • the steps include receiving an ultra-sonic signal from the microphone 20, collected on the steam trap 2,3 under test, or on the pipe 1 directly surrounding the steam trap, and interpreting the said signal using the advanced signal processing technique TESPAR via the TESPAR software 28.
  • Time Encoded Signal Processing and Recognition is a known collection of signal analysis, recognition and classification techniques that can be universally applied to describing and classifying complex band-limited signals as can be seen from our patent EP0882288B, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It makes use of a precise mathematical description of waveforms, based on polynomial theory, and the location of the zeros of "entire functions".
  • TESPAR-based approach to signal analysis according to the invention Two key advantages of the TESPAR-based approach to signal analysis according to the invention are, firstly, their robust classification capabilities in high noise environments and, secondly, their low memory and power requirements. These factors make TESPAR ideally suited for implementation on real-time embedded platforms and smart sensors that incorporate fixed-point microprocessors and digtial signal processors (DSPs). This may be contrasted with prior art apparatus and methods which rely upon arithmetical analysis of frequency data which necessarily includes extraneous noise and therefore imposes an upper limit on the accuracy obtainable, whereas in accordance with the invention in both its aspects it is also possible to subtract from the actual vibrational signals measured at a chosen region in e.g.
  • the method of converting the ultrasonic signal into the actual steam wastage estimations involves essentially two stages - the first stage being an initial data acquisition stage that processes a representative amount of data to create a look-up table of unique data signatures; the second stage being a localised real-time detection of vibrational signals indicative of steam leakage followed by comparison and analysis that compares the previously stored unique data signatures from a selected part of a look-up table with the data signature obtained during a test.
  • a preferred mode of carrying out the invention is to generate each unique data signature using the steam related characteristics of trap type or of trap type manufacturer and model, i.e. for each combination of trap type, manufacturer and model that exists, and a unique data signature for each combination is therefore generated and stored in the look-up table.
  • the invention therefore provides a means whereby the actual quantity in terms of kilograms per hour of steam wastage is calculated, which is superior to the prior art techniques of producing an arbitrary scale, such as from 1 -15, indicative of the seriousness of a leak within a steam operating system.
  • This invention by calculating or measuring the actual level of steam wastage this can be used to assess when it is most economical to shut down the steam system for repair or replacement of parts, including steam traps which are or have become faulty.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un appareil de détection de fuites de vapeur dans un système à vapeur, l'appareil comportant un moyen de détection (4, 6), utilisable pour détecter des signaux de vibration provenant d'une région du système (1) à vapeur, tel qu'un purgeur de vapeur (2, 3), ces signaux étant des indicateurs d'une fuite de vapeur, et un moyen de comparaison (5) pour comparer les signaux de vibration détectés par le moyen de détection dans la région aux signaux de vibration précédemment mesurés ou calculés, indicatifs d'une fuite de vapeur d'une région témoin indiquant une quantité connue de fuite de vapeur, pour ensuite indiquer la quantité effective ou la quantité calculée de fuite de vapeur dans la région analysée, sans faire référence à la température ou à la pression de la vapeur. L'invention porte également sur un procédé de détection de la quantité de vapeur qui s'échappe dans un système (1) à vapeur, ce procédé comprenant les étapes de mesure ou de calcul d'une pluralité de signaux de vibration, indicatifs d'une quantité donnée de fuite de vapeur dans une pluralité de régions ou d'appareils, tels qu'une pluralité de différentes marques ou de différents modèles de purgeurs de vapeur (2, 3), pour le système à vapeur à l’étude, et la mémorisation des signaux indicateurs, pour un accès ultérieur, la mesure ou le calcul des signaux de vibration effectifs qui indiquent une fuite de vapeur dans une région donnée du système à vapeur, par exemple au niveau ou au voisinage d'un purgeur de vapeur, et la comparaison des signaux obtenus aux signaux mémorisés correspondants, puis le calcul de la perte effective de vapeur dans cette région du système à vapeur, sans référence à la température ou à la pression de la vapeur.
PCT/GB2009/050386 2008-04-17 2009-04-17 Améliorations apportées à la mesure et à la gestion des pertes de vapeur WO2009127879A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0807000.5 2008-04-17
GBGB0807000.5A GB0807000D0 (en) 2008-04-17 2008-04-17 Improvements in and relating to steam wastage measurement and management
GB0823318.1 2008-12-22
GB0823318A GB2459319A (en) 2008-04-17 2008-12-22 Calculating steam loss by comparison of a vibration signal to a previously generated record that correlates vibration and leakage quantity

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009127879A2 true WO2009127879A2 (fr) 2009-10-22
WO2009127879A3 WO2009127879A3 (fr) 2011-10-06

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WO (1) WO2009127879A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0807000D0 (en) * 2008-04-17 2008-05-21 Hydralogical Ip Ltd Improvements in and relating to steam wastage measurement and management
US9863836B2 (en) * 2011-12-30 2018-01-09 Spirax-Sarco Limited Monitoring apparatus for a steam plant and a method of operating such an apparatus
GB2497997A (en) * 2011-12-30 2013-07-03 Spirax Sarco Ltd Monitoring a steam plant
JP6035436B2 (ja) * 2014-10-10 2016-11-30 株式会社テイエルブイ 蒸気トラップ監視システム、配管集合装置、及び、蒸気トラップユニット
US11255823B2 (en) * 2018-09-24 2022-02-22 Armstrong International, Inc. Steam/hot water device monitoring

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4898022A (en) * 1987-02-09 1990-02-06 Tlv Co., Ltd. Steam trap operation detector
DE4303798A1 (de) * 1993-02-10 1994-08-11 Gestra Ag Verfahren zur Überprüfung von Kondensatableitern
US5719785A (en) * 1994-05-17 1998-02-17 Standifer; Larry R. Detection and quantification of fluid leaks
EP0892326A2 (fr) * 1997-07-15 1999-01-20 TLV Company, Limited Système d'inspection, d'évaluation et de gestion des equipements
US20060118647A1 (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-08 Rex Cheskaty Remote monitor for steam traps
GB2459319A (en) * 2008-04-17 2009-10-21 Hydralogica Ip Ltd Calculating steam loss by comparison of a vibration signal to a previously generated record that correlates vibration and leakage quantity

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5136876A (en) * 1987-01-16 1992-08-11 The Dow Chemical Company Apparatus and process for determining fluid leak rates
JP3364713B2 (ja) * 1999-12-14 2003-01-08 株式会社テイエルブイ 測定装置及び識別子、並びにこれらの組み合わせから成る測定システム

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4898022A (en) * 1987-02-09 1990-02-06 Tlv Co., Ltd. Steam trap operation detector
DE4303798A1 (de) * 1993-02-10 1994-08-11 Gestra Ag Verfahren zur Überprüfung von Kondensatableitern
US5719785A (en) * 1994-05-17 1998-02-17 Standifer; Larry R. Detection and quantification of fluid leaks
EP0892326A2 (fr) * 1997-07-15 1999-01-20 TLV Company, Limited Système d'inspection, d'évaluation et de gestion des equipements
US20060118647A1 (en) * 2004-12-08 2006-06-08 Rex Cheskaty Remote monitor for steam traps
GB2459319A (en) * 2008-04-17 2009-10-21 Hydralogica Ip Ltd Calculating steam loss by comparison of a vibration signal to a previously generated record that correlates vibration and leakage quantity

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0807000D0 (en) 2008-05-21
GB0823318D0 (en) 2009-01-28
GB2459319A (en) 2009-10-21
WO2009127879A3 (fr) 2011-10-06

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