WO2022128411A1

WO2022128411A1 - Method for operating a through-flow measuring device, and measuring system

Info

Publication number: WO2022128411A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/083192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Freimark; Alfred Rieder
Original assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec Ag
Priority date: 2020-12-16
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2022-06-23
Also published as: DE102020133850A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a through-flow measuring device (8) which is integrated into a process system. The method has the steps of: generating and detecting a diagnostic response signal; determining a current value (HBSI_ak) for a diagnostic measurement variable which influences a calibration factor, in particular a diagnostic measurement variable which is substantially proportional to a calibration factor, from the diagnostic response signal; and ascertaining the current degree of measurement precision (Delta_ak) for a measurement value, which can be determined using the through-flow measuring device (8), for the measurement variable on the basis of at least one comparison between a stored reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measurement variable and the current value (HBSI_ak) for the diagnostic measurement variable. The invention additionally relates to a measuring system comprising the through-flow measuring device (8).

Description

Method of operating a flow meter and metering system

The invention relates to a method for operating a flow meter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a measuring system with a flow measuring device.

Flowmeters are known from the prior art and are used to determine a flow—in particular a mass flow, a volume flow, a flow rate—a density and/or a viscosity of a medium flowing through a measuring tube of the flowmeter. For this purpose, the measuring tube is connected, for example, to a pipeline of a process plant.

Flowmeters include, for example, Coriolis meters, electromagnetic flowmeters, thermal flowmeters, vortex flowmeters, and ultrasonic flowmeters. Such flowmeters are manufactured and sold by the applicant.

For a more detailed explanation of the underlying measuring principle of a Coriolis measuring device, reference is made to corresponding publications of the prior art, including DE 10 2015 120 087 A1, DE 10 2014 119 427 A1, DE 10 2011 006 971 A1, DE 10 2011 006 919 A1, DE 10 2016 125 537 A1, US 2013/0319134 A1, US 8,281,668 B2 or US 6,415,668 B1.

A magnetic-inductive flowmeter is disclosed, for example, in patent specification EP 1 728 051 B1.

A thermal flow meter is disclosed, for example, in patent specification EP 2 932 207 B1.

An ultrasonic flowmeter is disclosed, for example, in patent specification EP 2 936 080 B1.

Flow rate measuring devices are calibrated, verified and/or adjusted, e.g. during commissioning. Calibration is usually understood to mean the determination of a deviation, for example between a value recorded with the flow meter and a reference value assumed to be correct. The verification also includes determining the exact value of the deviation and evaluating it. Adjustment is understood to be an adjustment by which the deviation found is compensated. This can be done, for example, by adapting an evaluation, which evaluation involves determining an exact measured value from a recorded measurement signal includes. For example, a calibration factor used in the evaluation is adjusted during the adjustment.

Some solutions for Coriolis measuring devices have become known in the prior art in order to determine and/or monitor a diagnostic measurement variable that influences a calibration factor, in particular that is essentially proportional to a calibration factor, in particular during ongoing operation. In this case, a value for a modal elastic property of the measuring tube (also: a resilience, whereby a rigidity should always be correspondingly included here) is determined as a diagnostic measurement variable. This is described in more detail in the publications DE 10 2010 044 179 A1, WO 2018 101 920 A1 and WO 2012 062551 A1 and in the as yet unpublished patent applications DE 10 2019 124 709.8 and DE 10 2020 111 127.4.

The as yet unpublished patent application DE 10 2019 135 278.9 discloses a method for operating a magnetic-inductive flowmeter. In this case, a reactance (also: inductance) of a coil system is determined as a measure for a diagnostic measurement variable that influences a calibration factor, in particular that is essentially proportional to a calibration factor. With sinusoidal excitation, the reactance essentially corresponds to the inductance of the coil system, except for the circular frequency.

The object of the invention is to evaluate the reliability of a measured value recorded with a flow meter.

The object is achieved by a method for operating a flow measuring device installed in a process plant and a measuring system with a flow measuring device.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved by a method for operating a flow measuring device installed in a process plant, the flow measuring device comprising: at least one measuring tube for conducting a medium flowing through the measuring tube; a converter unit, which is set up to generate and record a diagnostic response signal by means of an excitation signal, a measuring and operating circuit, which is set up to generate at least one measured variable from a measurement signal generated and recorded by the converter unit, namely a flow rate, in particular a to determine mass flow, a volume flow, a flow velocity, and/or a measured value representing density, the method comprising the following steps: generating and detecting a diagnostic response signal;

determining a current value for a diagnostic measurement variable that influences a calibration factor, in particular that is essentially proportional to a calibration factor, from the diagnostic response signal; and

Determining a current measurement accuracy for a measured value for the measured variable that can be determined using the flowmeter, based at least on a comparison between a stored reference value for the diagnostic measured variable and the current value for the diagnostic measured variable.

According to the invention, a current measurement accuracy is now determined based at least on the current diagnostic measurement variable. This in particular for the flowmeter installed in a process plant and preferably also during a measurement operation and/or at least with a comparatively short (e.g. less than 30 minutes, especially less than 15 minutes) interruption of the measurement operation. Here, the currently detected diagnostic variable is compared with a stored reference value.

Depending on the configuration, the diagnostic response signal is either part of the measurement signal that is used to determine the measured value, or is in the form of a diagnostic response signal that is separate from the measurement signal.

The current measurement accuracy is determined on the basis of the comparison and a stored measurement accuracy, for example, is thus adjusted. The currently determined measurement accuracy preferably depends directly on a measure of a deviation between the current value and the reference value for the diagnostic measurement variable. If the diagnostic measurement variable is close to the stored reference value, a comparatively high measurement accuracy can be assumed. If there is a large deviation, a reduced measuring accuracy can be assumed. For example, the currently determined measurement accuracy is proportional to a measure of deviation (i.e., an absolute/relative difference, ratio, etc.).

The converter unit is, for example, an electrodynamic moving unit attached to the measuring tube, i.e. with at least one coil. Flowmeters with electrodynamic converter units known from the prior art include, for example, Coriolis meters and magnetic-inductive flowmeters.

In one embodiment of the invention, the flow meter is a Coriolis meter whose converter unit includes: at least one exciter that can be excited by means of the excitation signal and is set up to excite the at least one measuring tube to vibrate the measuring tube; and a sensor arrangement which is set up to detect the measuring tube vibrations, the measuring and operating circuit being set up to regulate the excitation signal, to detect the measuring tube vibrations and to determine a measured value representing the mass flow rate and/or the density therefrom, and wherein introducing the stimulus signal and generating and detecting the diagnostic response signal comprises:

Exciting the measuring tube to make measuring tube vibrations with an excitation frequency and detecting the measuring tube vibrations, the diagnostic measurement variable being a current modal elastic property of the measuring tube that can be determined from the detected measuring tube vibrations.

With the exception of a known factor, the modal elastic property of the measuring tube of the Coriolis measuring device as a diagnostic measurement variable essentially corresponds to a calibration factor that is used when determining a measured value representing the mass flow rate and/or the density. The measured value is proportional to the calibration factor and to a time difference between in-phase points of measurement signals from two sensors in the sensor arrangement. Reference is again made here to the patent applications mentioned at the outset.

In a further development of the embodiment mentioned above, the method comprises the step:

Determining a current value of a resonant frequency for a vibration mode of the measuring tube, the excitation frequency differing from the current value of the resonant frequency.

In particular, the excitation frequency differs by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10%, from the current resonant frequency, ie it is at least 5% or 10% higher or lower. The excitation frequency is, for example, at least 1.1 times or at most 0.9 times the current resonant frequency. The publication DE 10 2010 044 179 A1 mentioned at the outset should be mentioned here, in which excitation with an excitation frequency that differs from the resonance frequency for determining a modal elastic property is mentioned for the first time. In contrast, the still unpublished, initially mentioned DE 10 2020 111 127.4 depends on exciting the measuring tube at a resonant frequency of the first antisymmetric oscillation mode.

In an alternative embodiment to the embodiment mentioned above, the flowmeter is a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, the converter unit of which comprises: a magnetic-field-generating device for generating a magnetic field that penetrates the measuring tube, the magnetic-field-generating device being a coil system with at least one having coil;

Measuring electrodes for detecting a flow rate-dependent measuring voltage as a measuring signal, which measuring voltage is induced in a medium carried in the measuring tube, the introduction of the excitation signal and the generation and detection of the diagnostic response signal comprising:

generating a magnetic field penetrating the measuring tube;

Detection of a measurement voltage, the diagnosis measurement variable being an inductance of the magnetic field-generating device, especially the coil system, that can be determined using the measurement voltage.

Here again, reference is made to the previously mentioned, unpublished DE 10 2019 135 278.9, which discloses the details of the exact measurement and evaluation methods for determining the diagnostic measurement variable, especially during ongoing operation, of the magneto-inductive flowmeter .

In one embodiment of the invention, the stored reference value for the diagnostic measurement variable is determined in reference operation of the flowmeter installed in the process plant, comprising the steps:

detecting the diagnostic response signal in the reference mode;

determining the reference value for the diagnostic metric from the detected diagnostic response signal; and

Storage of the reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measurement variable

The reference operation, in which the reference value for the diagnostic measurement variable is determined, is operated, for example, as part of the commissioning of the flowmeter installed in the process plant or during the manufacture of the flowmeter. During reference operation, there are usually other state variables that also determine the modal elastic property. These state variables are preferably also recorded and also taken into account in the method according to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method therefore comprises the steps:

Detection of a reference value present in the reference mode for at least one state variable that is different from the measured variable, the at least one state variable being selected from the group of the following: temperature, pressure, density, viscosity, electrical conductivity of the medium carried in the measuring tube and one in a housing the case temperature of the flowmeter, and

Storing the reference value for the at least one state variable.

The state variables are therefore process and/or material variables of the medium that differ from the measured variable, as well as a housing temperature. The latter reflects the ambient temperature present in an environment surrounding the measuring tube.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps:

detecting a current measured value for the at least one state variable, which current measured value is present during the detection of the diagnostic response signal for determining the current diagnostic measured variable of the measuring tube;

Creating a first good report if the current measured value for the at least one state variable differs from the reference value for the at least one state variable by at most a specified deviation.

In this embodiment, the state variables which are used to determine the current diagnostic measurement variable when the diagnostic response signal is detected are also checked to determine whether they correspond to the state variables present in reference operation within a tolerable range of a specified deviation.

In this case, the specified deviation is determined, for example, by a stored, tolerable deviation for the respective state variable, which results when a previously defined accuracy class is selected.

Only in the event that the state variables in a current operation, for example a measurement operation, are sufficiently close to the respective state variable from the reference operation is the first good message generated. If the first good report is present, the current measurement accuracy determined on the basis of the current diagnostic measurement variable is also output, for example. If necessary, this together with an output associated with the good report, such as "Status variable/s within tolerable limits".

If necessary, when the first good report is issued, the determined measurement accuracy that is issued is also adjusted accordingly. For example, the measurement accuracy determined is correspondingly smaller, taking into account a fluctuation range of the diagnostic measurement variable, which fluctuation range is caused by a (still tolerable) deviation between the current state variable and the state variable in reference operation.

If, on the other hand, the first good report is not present, the currently determined measurement accuracy is only output, for example, together with an associated warning “State variable Zi influences diagnostic measurement variable measurement accuracy cannot be determined (precisely enough)”.

If the first good report is not present, the measurement accuracy determined may not be output at all, but instead discarded.

The current state variable(s) is/are determined by means of further suitable measuring sensors set up to record the respective state variable. This is preferably done with the flow meter itself, which is designed to determine the state variables. For example, a Coriolis measuring device may also be designed to determine viscosity and/or density.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps:

determining a current zero point value for the flow by determining a measured value for the flow for the flow measuring device installed in a process plant at a flow rate of zero with the flow measuring device;

Determining a current measurement accuracy for a measurement of the measured variable, based on a comparison between the reference value for the diagnostic measured variable and the currently determined diagnostic measured variable and on a comparison between a stored reference value for the zero point value and the currently determined zero point value.

For flow meters, there is usually a zero point value for the mass flow. The zero-point value corresponds to an (uncorrected) measured value for the flow that the flowmeter uses in the case of an actual flow of Zero, ie determined with a medium standing in the measuring tube. A measured value corrected by the zero point value is then output as the corrected measured value for the flow rate.

The presence of a flow rate of zero must be ensured by appropriate process control, for example by setting appropriate actuators, such as valves, on the inlet and/or outlet side of the measuring tube.

In a development of the latter embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

Determining the reference value for the zero point value by determining a measured value for the flow rate in a further reference operation at a mass flow rate of zero, and

Storage of the reference value for the zero point value for the flow.

The stored reference value for the zero point value is thus determined in a further reference operation in a state installed in the process installation, for example as for the previously mentioned (first) reference operation during commissioning. Exactly as mentioned above for the modal elastic property, the zero point value may also be dependent on state variables that are present in further reference operation.

In one configuration of the method, this therefore comprises the steps: detecting a further reference value present in the further reference mode for at least one state variable that is different from the measured variable, with the at least one state variable being selected from the group of the following: temperature, pressure, density, electrical conductivity and viscosity of the medium carried in the measuring tube and a housing temperature present in a housing of the flowmeter; and

Storing the further reference value for the at least one state variable.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the steps: detecting a current measured value for the at least one state variable, which measured value is present during the determination of the current zero point value; and

Creating a second good report if the current measured value for the at least one state variable differs from the further reference value for the at least one state variable by at most one further specified deviation; and

Consideration of the currently determined zero point value when determining the current measurement accuracy only in the event that the second good message is available.

Exactly as above in connection with the state variables, which are present when the diagnostic measured variable is determined in the (first) reference mode, any deviation between the state variable in further reference operation and state variable in the current operation (ie in the operation in which the currently determined zero point value is determined). All of the previous considerations apply here, mutatis mutandis.

The second good report is generated only in the event that the state variable in a current operation is sufficiently close to the respective state variable from the further reference operation.

Only if the second good message is available, for example, is the current measurement accuracy also determined on the basis of the currently determined zero point value. If necessary, this together with an output associated with the second good report, such as "Status variable/s within tolerable limits".

If the second good message is not present, the contribution of the currently determined zero point value to the measurement accuracy is not taken into account.

In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step:

Consideration of the currently determined zero point value when determining the current measurement accuracy only in the event that the currently determined measured value for the flow rate is less than a specified limit value.

Depending on the regime in which the currently determined flow rate actually lies, the influence of the zero point value on the measurement accuracy is negligibly small. In particular in the event that the flow rate is not greater than 20%, preferably not greater than 10%, of a maximum flow rate that can be determined with the flow meter, the currently determined zero point value is not taken into account when determining the current measurement accuracy. The maximum flow that can be determined is determined by a specified measuring range of the flow meter. If the zero point value is not taken into account, the current measurement accuracy is essentially determined exclusively by considering the diagnostic measurement variable.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the steps:

Assessing the reliability of the current diagnostic measurement variable and/or the currently determined zero point value; and

Output of a further good message in the event that the currently determined modal elastic property and/or the currently determined zero point value is rated as reliable.

For example, one of the following is used to assess reliability: Absolute value of the measurand. For example, it is checked that the determined flow rate is not too close to the limits of the measuring range, ie does not deviate less than a specified deviation from the maximum and minimum flow rates that can be determined with the respective flow meter.

Absolute values of a further diagnostic variable that can be determined from the measurement signal or the diagnostic response signal. The further diagnostic variable does not necessarily have to influence a calibration factor. The further diagnostic variable is a measure of the reliability of the first diagnostic variable. The further diagnostic variable includes, for example, a fluctuation in the time profile of the resonant frequency or the vibration damping in the case of the Coriolis measuring device. Both to ensure, for example, that the medium is sufficiently homogeneous and that there are no deposits on the measuring tube. In this case, the vibration damping is formed, for example, from the ratio of an amplitude of an exciter current of the exciter to an amplitude of a sensor deflection of a sensor of the sensor arrangement of the, in particular sinusoidal, measuring tube vibrations.

Absolute value and/or fluctuation of at least one state variable that differs from the measured variable, the at least one state variable being selected from the group of the following: temperature, pressure, density, conductivity and viscosity of the medium carried in the measuring tube and in a housing of the flow -Measuring device case temperature.

If the third good report is present, the determined current measurement accuracy is also output, for example, together with an output associated with the third good report, such as “diagnostic measurement variable sufficiently reliable” or “determination of the measurement accuracy on the basis of the diagnostic measurement variable reliable”.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the step:

Output of a measured value representing the measured variable, together with the determined current measurement accuracy for the measured variable.

As mentioned above, an output associated with the first, second and/or further (e.g. third and/or fourth) good report may be output together with the current measurement accuracy.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the step: recurring determination of a current measurement accuracy, in each case at different points in time. In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment, the method includes the step:

Storing the recurringly recorded current measurement accuracies in a verification protocol, in particular together with a time stamp, which time stamp designates a point in time associated with the determination of the current measurement accuracy.

For example, the verification protocol is transmitted to a user interface, such as a user interface of a mobile device.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the step: determining or at least adjusting a remaining time interval after which calibration, verification and/or adjustment of the flowmeter is recommended, based on the current measurement accuracy and/or on the measurement accuracies determined on a recurring basis.

In one embodiment of the method, the method is carried out at least partially in the measurement and operating circuit of the flowmeter and/or in a higher-level unit to which higher-level unit the flowmeter is connected by a communication link.

The higher-level unit is, for example, a higher-level control unit, for example a process control system with a computer or a stored-program control unit (PLC).

The communication link is, for example, a wired communication link, for example an analog measurement transmission path, especially according to the 4-20mA standard, or a wired fieldbus used in automation technology, for example Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus PA, Profibus DP, HART, CANBus . However, it can also be a communication connection of a modern industrial communication network, e.g. an "Industrial Ethernet fieldbus, in particular Profinet, HART-IP or Ethernet/IP or a communication network known from the field of communication, e.g. Ethernet according to the TCP/IP protocol , act.

In the event that the communication connection is wireless, it can be, for example, a Bluetooth, ZigBee, WLAN, GSM, LTE, UMTS communication network or a wireless version of a fieldbus, in particular standards based on 802.15.4 Trade WirelessHART. With regard to the measuring system, the object is achieved by a measuring system, having: a flow measuring device installed in a process plant, the flow measuring device comprising: at least one measuring tube for conducting a medium flowing through the measuring tube; a converter unit, which is set up to generate and record a diagnostic response signal by means of an excitation signal, a measuring and operating circuit, which is set up to generate at least one measured variable from a measurement signal generated and recorded by the converter unit, namely a flow rate, in particular a to determine a measured value representing mass flow, a volume flow, a flow rate and/or a density, the measuring system being set up to carry out the method according to the invention.

In one embodiment of the measuring system, this includes a higher-level unit to which the higher-level unit the flowmeter is connected by means of a communication link.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, which are not true to scale, with the same reference symbols denoting the same features. If it is necessary for the sake of clarity or if it appears to make sense in some other way, reference symbols that have already been mentioned are omitted in the following figures. It shows:

1 : A schematic representation of a measuring system used in the method according to the invention;

2a, b, c, d: flow charts of embodiments of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a measuring system known from the prior art, comprising a Coriolis measuring device as a flow measuring device 8 with a pair of measuring tubes 1 with an inlet 1a and an outlet 1b for the inflow and outflow of a medium, especially a fluid. The pair of measuring tubes 1 can be excited by means of an exciter 2 to cause measuring tube oscillations, which are detected by means of a sensor arrangement 3 comprising an inlet-side and an outlet-side sensor 3 . A measuring and operating circuit 4 is set up to regulate the measuring tube vibrations and to evaluate the detected measuring tube vibrations. For this purpose, the measuring and operating circuit 4 comprises, for example, a circuit arrangement arranged in a transmitter housing. The Coriolis measuring device 8 is connected to a higher-level unit 6 , for example a computer in a control room, by means of a communication link 7 . The exact nature of the superordinate unit 6 and the communication link 7 is unimportant for the invention; reference is made to the examples mentioned above.

A memory unit 10 and a computer program product 9 are assigned to a corresponding component, e.g the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak based on the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak. The reference values used in the method according to the invention are stored in the memory unit 10, including, for example: a reference value HBSI_ref for the modal elastic property as a diagnostic measurement variable, reference values Z_ref for the state variables Zi, a reference value PIPO_ref for the zero point value.

The computer program product 9 is possibly carried out with the support of a guided menu 5 which is displayed on a corresponding display/operating unit, for example a (touch) display of the Coriolis measuring device 8 . The memory unit 10 and/or the computer program product 9 or the menu 5 can also be assigned to the higher-level unit 6, whereby the memory unit 10 can of course also be assigned to another unit, such as a cloud connected to the higher-level unit 6.

A verification protocol 11 is output on the display of the flow measuring device 8 and/or on a display of a mobile terminal device 13 . The verification protocol 11 comprises at least the output of a current measurement accuracy Delta_ak determined in the method according to the invention and possibly a first good report G1 or the above-mentioned output associated with it. The mobile terminal 13 can be a smartphone, a tablet, data glasses, or a mobile terminal specific for process automation, such as the FieldXpert marketed by Endress+Hauser. The mobile terminal device 13 is connected to the higher-level unit 6 and/or possibly the Coriolis measuring device 8 itself by means of a (further) communication link 7, which is configured here as wireless

Depending on the configuration, the method can of course also be carried out primarily in the higher-level unit 6 itself, e.g. by assigning the memory unit 10, the computer program product 9 and the menu 5 to the higher-level unit 6 and/or for displaying, e.g. the verification log , the display of the mobile terminal 13 is used. It will also, if applicable, the current measurement accuracy delta_ak, with a current measured value for the flow rate Phi_ak together with a respective time stamp 12, is transmitted to the higher-level unit 6 and stored in its memory unit 10. The steps for determining the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak are shown in more detail in the flowchart in FIG. 2 ad.

In the case of a Coriolis measuring device 8 , the current modal elastic property as the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak is a measure of the rigidity of the measuring tube 1 . If there is a change in the measuring tube 1, for example due to abrasion and/or corrosion or due to the formation of hard deposits, this affects a change in the current value HBSI_ak of the diagnostic measurement variable. Since the stored reference value HBSI_ref for the diagnostic measurement variable is directly proportional to a calibration factor used, a deviation of the current value HBSI_ak from the stored reference value HBSI_ref ultimately results in reduced measurement accuracy.

This also applies, mutatis mutandis, to all other flowmeters in which there is a diagnostic measurement variable HBSI that can be determined from a diagnostic response signal and is in particular proportional to a calibration factor, e.g., as mentioned above, the inductance in the case of magnetic-inductive flowmeters.

In this way, a current measurement accuracy Delta_ak can be determined by comparing the reference value HBSI_ref for the diagnostic measurement variable and a current value HBSI_ak for the diagnostic measurement variable.

In a first step 101 (see Fig. 1a), a reference value HBSI_ref for the modal elastic property is used, e.g Diagnostic measured variable determined in a reference operation RB and then stored in the memory unit 10. At least one state variable Zi that is present is preferably also recorded and also stored in the reference mode RB. A state variable Zi describes a media property that differs from a respective measured variable of the flowmeter 8, such as temperature, pressure, density, conductivity, viscosity of the medium carried in the measuring tube 1, or a housing temperature in a housing of the flowmeter 8.

In the second step 102, the current modal elastic property is now determined as the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak, for example during an ongoing measurement operation MB or also during a brief interruption. This is preferred when there is an excitation with an excitation frequency fan which differs from a resonant frequency fres by at least 10% (ie greater than or less than the resonant frequency fres).

The current measurement accuracy Delta_ak is now determined on the one hand by a deviation between the current modal elastic property as diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak and the reference value HBSI_ref. On the other hand, the state variables Zi influence the accuracy when determining the current m diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak itself, and thus also the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak. Depending on the size of the deviations between the current values Z_ak and the reference values Z_ref for a respective state variable Zi, different accuracy classes GK1, GK2, GK3 can be defined. This is summarized, for example, in the table below:

The examples given above for the accuracy classes GK1, GK2, GK3 correspond to an accuracy of 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0% when determining the current modal elastic property as diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak.

In a third step 103, a first good report G1 is therefore generated if the previously defined respective accuracy class GK1, GK2, GK3 is maintained. In this case, the determined current measurement accuracy Delta_ak is output in step 103, preferably together with a measured value for the measured variable, for example the current flow rate Phi_ak.

The current measurement accuracy Delta_ak is stored, preferably together with a time stamp 12, in a verification log 11, which can be displayed, for example, on a user interface of a mobile terminal device (cf. FIG. 1).

If necessary, the current measuring accuracy delta_ak with a current measured value for the flow Phi_ak together with a respective time stamp 12 is transmitted to the superordinate unit 6 and stored in its storage unit 10 . This in particular also continuously during the measurement operation, for example in the embodiment in which the current zero point value PIPO_ak is not considered, since the current flow rate Phi_ak is large enough and an influence of the current zero point value PIPO_ak is negligible. A time interval up to a new calibration, verification and/or adjustment of the flowmeter is determined on the basis of the time profile of the stored, repeatedly determined current measurement accuracy Delta_ak.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, the influence of a current zero point value PIPO_ak is also considered. Exactly as above for the modal elastic property, a reference value PIPO_ref for the zero point value is determined and stored for this purpose in a step 201, for example during the initialization IB, in a further reference operation RB2. At the same time, state variables Zi present in the further reference operation RB2 are recorded and stored.

Since a current zero point value PIPO_ak only affects the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak in the case of low flow rates, a current flow rate Phi_ak is first determined in a step 202 and compared to a limit value Phi_g. If the current flow rate Phi_ak is not less than the limit value Phi_g (arrow "n" in Fig. 2b), an influence of the current zero point value PIPO_ak on the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak is neglected, see step 203. In this case, the current zero point value PIPO_ak cannot be determined; there is no need to stop the flow by adjusting the actuators.

If, on the other hand, the current flow rate Phi_ak is less than the limit value Phi_g (arrow “y” in FIG. 2b), the current zero point value PIPO_ak is determined in a step 204.

While the current zero point value PIPO_ak is being determined, the standstill of the fluid in the measuring tube 1 is monitored using suitable technical means.

Depending on the magnitude of the deviations from the second reference value Z_ref2 for the state variable, appropriate accuracy classes can again be defined for the zero point value PIPO_ak, see the above table of accuracy classes for the current modal elastic property HBSI_ak.

If the current zero point value PIPO_ak is also within the respective specifications of the accuracy class G1, G2, G3 during the verification, a second good report G2 is generated in step 204 and the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak is calculated both based on the current modal elastic property HBSI_ak and also determined based on the current zero point value PIPO_ak.

In the context of the invention, it is also determined whether the current modal elastic property is rated as sufficiently reliable as the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 2c. A third good report G3 is generated (step 303) only if the current diagnosis measurement variable HBSI_ak is evaluated as reliable in a step 301 (arrow “y”). This preferably precedes step 103 shown in FIG. 2a. If the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak is assessed as not reliable (arrow “n”), the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak cannot be output accordingly and is discarded, for example, see step 302. This possibly again in combination with an associated output, e.g. "current diagnostic parameter HBSI_ak not determinable".

The reliability assessment of the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak includes, for example, monitoring the fluctuation of the resonant frequency fres. An insufficiently stationary resonance frequency fres serves as the basis for the detection and evaluation of disruptive gas inclusions, see the first line of the table below, in which one or more criteria for evaluating the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak "reliable" (abbreviated: "y") and "not reliable" (short: "n") are listed.

Likewise, the current value HBSI_ak for the diagnostic measurement variable is impaired in phases of rapid changes in current state variables Z_ak, for example media or housing temperature, see second line of the table below.

Furthermore, if the flow rate is too low or too high, there may be problems in precisely determining the current diagnosis measurement variable HBSI_ak. For example, if the flow rate is too high, turbulences occur in the fluid that disrupt the HBSI, see the third line of the table below.

Finally, the current values Z_ak for state variables Zi that are different from the measured variables should be between the minimum and maximum permissible values. For example, a temperature that is too high or too low can contribute to an irreversible influence on the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak, see the fourth line of the table below. By monitoring the media and/or housing temperature, the influence of a thermal aging process of the magnets of the exciter 2 and/or the sensor arrangement 3 on the current diagnosis measurement variable HBSI_ak can be taken into account, for example.

Only if, for example, one or all of the criteria listed in the second column of the above table are met is (step 303) the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak rated as sufficiently reliable (arrow “y” in FIG. 2c) and, for example, with a HBSI Reliability Status: marked "Good".

Otherwise, the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak is assessed as not reliable and, for example, marked with an HBSI reliability status "Bad". If there is a sequence of current diagnosis measurements HBSI_ak that are evaluated as reliable for current diagnostic measurements HBSI_ak that are repeatedly determined at different points in time, which is only occasionally interrupted by current diagnosis measurements that are evaluated as unreliable (e.g.: "Good", "Good", "Good", "Bad", "Good"), is possibly interpolated via individual measurement accuracies Delta_ak, which are to be discarded and which were determined with the diagnostic measurement variable evaluated as unreliable.

In a similar way, within the scope of the invention, it is determined whether the current zero point value PIPO_ak is rated as sufficiently reliable, see FIG. 2d.

A fourth good report G4 is generated (step 403) only if the current zero point value PIPO_ak is evaluated as reliable in a step 401 (arrow “y”). This preferably precedes step 204 shown in FIG. 2b or even precedes step 202. If the current zero point value PIPO_ak is assessed as not reliable (arrow "n"), the current zero point value PIPO_ak remains in the determination of the current measurement accuracy Delta_ak disregarded.

During the determination of the current zero point value PIPO_ak, the homogeneity of the fluid in the measuring tube 1 is monitored using suitable technical means, e.g. as before for the current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ak, again considering fluctuations in the resonance frequency fres and a greatly increased vibration damping. Examples of the reliability assessment of the current zero point value PIPO_ak and an associated PI PO reliability status ("Good"/"Bad") are summarized in the table below:

Irrespective of the fact that the invention was explained mainly in connection with a Coriolis measuring device as a flow measuring device, this mutatis mutandis includes all other flow measuring devices in which a diagnostic measured variable HBSI can be determined from a diagnostic response signal, which is proportional to a calibration factor in particular , exists. This includes, for example, as mentioned above, the inductance for the case of the claimed embodiment with the magnetic-inductive flowmeter, the invention of course not being limited to the flowmeters explicitly claimed here.

reference signs and symbols

1 measuring tube

1 a, 1 b inlet, outlet 2 exciters

3 sensor arrangement

4 Measuring and operating circuit 5 Menu

6 superior unit 7 communication link

8 Coriolis meter 9 Computer program product

10 storage unit

11 Verification Protocol

12 time stamp 13 mobile device

HBSI_ak Current diagnostic measurement variable HBSI_ref Reference value for the diagnostic measurement variable Delta_ak Current measurement accuracy PIPO_ak Current zero point value PIPO_ref Reference value for the zero point value RB, RB2 (further) reference operation Zi State variable Z_ak Current value for the state variable

Z_ref, Z_ref2 (further) reference value for the state variable G1, G2, G3, G4 first, second, third, fourth good message fres resonance frequency fan excitation frequency Phi_ak current flow rate Phi_g specified limit value

Claims

patent claims

1. A method for operating a flow meter (8) installed in a process plant, comprising: at least one measuring tube (1) for guiding a medium flowing through the measuring tube (1); a converter unit which is set up to generate and record a diagnosis response signal by means of an excitation signal, a measuring and operating circuit (4) which is set up to generate at least one measured variable, namely a flow rate, from a measurement signal generated and recorded by the converter unit , in particular a mass flow rate, a volume flow rate, a flow rate and/or a density, to determine the measured value, the method comprising the following steps:

generating and detecting a diagnostic response signal;

determining a current value (HBSI_ak) for a diagnostic measurement variable that influences a calibration factor, in particular that is essentially proportional to a calibration factor, from the diagnostic response signal; and

Determining a current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) for a measured value that can be determined with the flow meter (8) for the measured variable, based at least on a comparison between a stored reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measured variable and the current value (HBSI_ak) for the diagnostic measured variable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring device is a Coriolis measuring device, the converter unit of which comprises: at least one exciter (2) which can be excited by means of the excitation signal and which is set up to close the at least one measuring tube (1). to stimulate measuring tube vibrations; and a sensor arrangement (3) which is set up to detect the measuring tube vibrations, the measuring and operating circuit (4) being set up to regulate the excitation signal, to detect the measuring tube vibrations and from this a signal representing the mass flow rate and/or the density to determine a measured value, and wherein the introduction of the excitation signal and the generation and detection of the diagnostic response signal comprises: Exciting the measuring tube (1) to measuring tube vibrations with an excitation frequency (fan) and detecting the measuring tube vibrations, the diagnostic variable being a current modal elastic property of the measuring tube that can be determined from the detected measuring tube vibrations.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the step:

Determining a current value of a resonance frequency (fres) for a vibration mode of the measuring tube (1), the excitation frequency (fan) differing from the current value of the resonance frequency (fres).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flowmeter is a magnetic-inductive flowmeter, the converter unit of which comprises: a magnetic-field-generating device for generating a magnetic field that penetrates the measuring tube, the magnetic-field-generating device being a coil system with at least one coil having;

generating a magnetic field penetrating the measuring tube;

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the stored reference value for the diagnostic measurement variable (HBSI_ref) is determined in a reference operation (RB) of the flowmeter (8) installed in the process plant, comprising the steps:

detecting the diagnostic response signal in the reference mode (RB);

determining the reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measure from the detected diagnostic response signal; and

Storage of the reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measurement variable.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising the steps of:

Detection of a reference value (Z_ref) present in the reference operation (RB) for at least one state variable (Zi) that differs from the measured variable, the at least one state variable (Zi) being selected from the group of the following: temperature, pressure, density, viscosity, electrical conductivity of the medium carried in the measuring tube (1) and a housing temperature in a housing of the flowmeter (8); and

Storing the reference value (Z_ref) for the at least one state variable (Zi).

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the steps of:

detecting a current measured value (Z_ak) for the at least one state variable (Zi), which current measured value (Z_ak) is present during the detection of the diagnostic response signal for determining the current diagnostic measured variable (HBSI_ak);

Creating a first good report (G1) if the current measured value (Z_ak) for the at least one state variable (Zi) differs from the reference value (Z_ref) for the at least one state variable (Zi) by at most a specified deviation.

8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

Determining a current zero point value (PIPO_ak) for the flow by determining a measured value for the flow for the flow measuring device (8) installed in a process plant when the flow is zero with the flow measuring device (8);

Determination of a current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) for a measurement of the measured variable, based on a comparison between the reference value (HBSI_ref) for the diagnostic measured variable and the currently determined diagnostic measured variable (HBSI_ak) and on a comparison between a stored reference value (PIPO_ref) for the zero point value and the currently determined zero point value (PIPO_ak).

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising the steps of:

Determining the reference value (PIPO_ref) for the zero point value by determining a measured value for the flow rate in a further reference operation (RB2) at a flow rate of zero, and

Storage of the reference value (PIPO_ref) for the zero point value for the flow.

10. The method according to claim 9, comprising the steps of:

Detection of a further reference value (Z_ref2) present in the further reference operation (RB2) for at least one of the measured variables State variable (Zi), wherein the at least one state variable (Zi) is selected from the group of the following: temperature, pressure, density, electrical conductivity and viscosity of the medium carried in the measuring tube (1) and in a housing of the flow meter ( 8) case temperature present; and

Storing the further reference value (Z_ref2) for the at least one state variable (Zi).

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the steps of:

detecting a current measured value (Z_ak) for the at least one state variable (Zi), which measured value is present during the determination of the current zero point value (PIPO_ak); and

Creating a second good report (G2) if the current measured value (Z_ak) for the at least one state variable (Zi) differs from the further reference value (Z_ref2) for the at least one state variable (Zi) by at most one further specified deviation; and

Consideration of the currently determined zero point value (PIPO_ak) when determining the current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) only in the event that the second good message (G2) is present.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

determining a current reading for the flow rate (Phi_ak);

Consideration of the currently determined zero point value (PIPO_ak) in the

Determination of the current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) only in the event that the currently determined measured value for the flow rate (Phi_ak) is less than a specified limit value (Phi_g).

13. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

Assessing the reliability of the current diagnostic measurement variable (HBSI_ak) and/or the currently determined zero point value (PIPO_ak); and

Output of a further good message (G3, G4) in the event that the currently determined diagnostic measurement variable (HBSI_ak) and/or the currently determined zero point value (PIPO_ak) is evaluated as reliable.

14. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the step:

Output of a measured value representing the measured variable, together with the determined current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) for the measured variable.

15. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

Recurring determination of a current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak), each at different points in time.

16. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

Storing the recurrently recorded current measurement accuracies (Delta_ak) in a verification log (11), in particular together with a time stamp (12), which time stamp (12) designates a time associated with the determination of the current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak).

17. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps:

Determining or at least adjusting a remaining time interval after which calibration, verification and/or adjustment of the flowmeter (8) is recommended, based on the current measurement accuracy (Delta_ak) and/or on the measurement accuracies (Delta_ak) determined on a recurring basis.

18. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is carried out at least partially in the measuring and operating circuit (4) of the flowmeter (8) and/or in a higher-level unit (6), to which higher-level unit (6) the Flow meter (8) is connected by means of a communication link (7), is running.

19. Measuring system, comprising: a flow measuring device (8) installed in a process plant, the flow measuring device (8) comprising: at least one measuring tube (1) for guiding a medium flowing through the measuring tube (1); a converter unit which is set up to generate and record a diagnosis response signal by means of an excitation signal, a measuring and operating circuit (4) which is set up to generate at least one measured variable, namely a flow rate, from a measurement signal generated and recorded by the converter unit , in particular to determine a measured value representing a mass flow rate, a volume flow rate, a flow velocity and/or a density, the measuring system being set up to carry out the method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 18.

20. Measuring system according to claim 19, comprising a higher-level unit (6) to which higher-level unit (6) the flowmeter (8) is connected by means of a communication link (7).