System and method for pressure control in a network

A system and a method for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a distribution network. The network includes at least one pump station having a number of pumps that are configured to pressurize the fluid from a supply line; means for determining at least one flow value (Q) of at least a part of the distribution network and a control unit for controlling the activity and/or speed of the pump(s) of the pump station according to a predefined pump curve defining the relationship between the pressure and the flow of the fluid pressurized by the pump station. The control unit is configured to change the pump curve automatically according to at least one determined flow value (Q).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2011/073708, filed Dec. 21, 2011, which was published in the English language on Jul. 19, 2012, under International Publication No. WO 2012/095249 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling the pressure in a distribution network for distribution of fluids. The fluids may be drinking water, gas, or water based district heating by way of example.

The invention, in particular, relates to a system and method for controlling the pressure in a distribution network with changing flow conditions.

In fluid distribution networks such as mains water distribution networks the pressure is normally created by pumps. However, the pressure may also be created by the gravity head of water in a water tower or another reservoir and then the pressure may be regulated by valves.

In mains water distribution networks the pressure in the arterial supply pipes is significantly higher than the pressure required by the consumers (the end-user). The pressure is traditionally created by the use of a pump station that may comprise several pumps. In order to provide the required pressure at the consumer, the pump station traditionally builds up a pressure that is larger than the required pressure because the provided pressure is required to exceed a predefined minimum pressure (typically 2 bar) at the consumers under all conditions. Typically a pump station is configured to deliver a pressure according to a fixed constant pressure curve that is chosen so that the provided pressures at the consumers exceed the required minimum pressure. This regulation strategy ensures that the required pressure is provided constantly, however, a huge amount of energy and fluid (through fluid leakage) is typically wasted. In a water distribution system, the manager of the waterworks knows what pressure is needed when the flow is at its maximum. However, the manager does not always know the exact value of the maximum flow.

Due to changing flow and pressure conditions in a distribution network the actual pressure typically exceeds the required pressure most of the time. This “too high” pressure may cause leakages in the distribution network causing fluid losses and pipe breakdown.

It is desirable to specify a system and method for controlling the pressure in a distribution network in which the fluid losses can be minimised without violating the performance.

It is also desirable to specify a system and method for controlling the pressure in a distribution network that is capable of automatically adapting to actual pressure and/or flow conditions in the network.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system as described below has a control unit configured to change the pump curve automatically according to at least one determined flow value. A method as described below has a pump curve that is changed automatically according to at least one determined flow value.

The flow value may be any suitable value such as a measured, calculated or estimate flow or flow difference (e.g. the difference between a reference flow and a measured or calculated flow). The flow value may be provided by any suitable method, such as by a flow sensor, for example.

By changing the pump curve automatically according to at least one determined flow value the generated pressure can be adjusted by using a pressure curve that makes it possible to reduce the generated pressure so that the fluid losses can be minimised without violating the performance. The pressure in the distribution network can be regulated (adjusted or maintained according to a predefined criteria) according to a pump curve that is automatically adapted to the determined flow value which means that the pressure in the distribution network can be adjusted or maintained so that the flow and pressure correspond to the predefined pump curve. A pump curve may be used until the pump curve has been changed according to the at least one determined flow value. In fact a pump curve may be used as long as the pump curve is the most suitable pump curve.

By the term pump curve (Q-H pump curve) is meant the curve describing the relationship between the flow and head (pressure). It is known that different pump curves can be achieved by changing the speed of a pump e.g., by using a frequency converter. Normally, the head at zero flow at the Q-H pump curve is denoted H0and the head corresponding to the highest hydraulic power is denoted Href. In the following there will be referred to pump curves having predefined characteristics and being defined by Hmin(the pressure corresponding to maximal flow (Qmin)) and Hmax(the pressure corresponding to maximal flow (Qmax)). The shape of the pump curve may have any suitable form. The pump curve may be linear or quadratic by way of example.

In an embodiment of the present invention the pump curve is maintained until a predefined event occurs. In this way the pressure can be regulated according to the most suitable pump curve and this pump curve will be used until a predefined event occurs. A possible event may be a detection of a very low or a very high flow by way of example.

In an embodiment of the present invention the at least one flow value is a determined peak flow and/or a minimum flow of the fluid pressurised by the pump station within a predefined time period, and the control unit is configured to adjust the maximal flow of the pump curve according to a determined peak flow and/or to adjust the minimum flow of the flow curve according to a determined minimum flow.

Hereby it is achieved that the form of the pump curve can be adjusted automatically according to the peak flow and/or the minimum flow. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a specific adaptation and regulation of the pump curve so that the generated pressure can be adjusted to the actual required pressure in order to minimise the fluid losses without violating the performance.

By the term peak flow is meant a high flow value. The peak flow may be the maximal flow or the highest flow measured within a specific time period. However, if the network is subject to very changing condition the magnitude of peak flows determined at different time periods may differ significantly.

The minimum flow is referred to as a low flow value. The minimum flow may be the lowest flow or the lowest flow measured within a specific time period and in case that the network is being subject to very changing condition the magnitude of minimum flows at one time may differ significantly from the magnitude of minimum flows at one time.

In an embodiment of the present invention the at least one flow value is measured (e.g. continuously) and the control unit is configured to change the pump curve automatically by changing the maximum flow parameter and/or the minimum flow parameter of a predefined pump curve as function of time. It may be an advantage that the regulation of the pressure is based on a pump curve that is specified according to a predefined pump curve form and one or more determined flow values. The regulation of the pressure may be carried out continuously according to a pump curve and hence the gab between the provided pressure and the pressure needed in the distribution network can be minimised. By continuously is meant that measurements are carried out all the times, however, the sampling period of the measurements may be selected to meet specific requirements. In the prior art the pressure regulation is typically carried out by using a constant pressure regime. Therefore, regulation according to a linear, quadratic or other suitable pump curve may reduce the gab between the provided pressure and the pressure needed in the distribution network dramatically. Hereby, energy consumption and fluid losses can be minimised.

It is beneficial that the pressure in the distribution network is adjusted according to a pump curve that is defined based on measured flow values. The maximum flow parameter may be the max flow defined as the maximal flow or the highest flow measured within a specific time period. The minimum flow parameter may be the lowest flow or the lowest flow measured within a specific time period.

By the term continuously is meant that the at least one flow value is being measured all the time, however; the sampling rate for the flow value measurement(s) may be chosen as any suitable time period (e.g. a few seconds, minutes or hours by way of example). In fact the time period could, in principle, be any time period. A predefined pump curve may have any suitable form. The curve may be line or quadratic, by way of example, however; the curve may have another form.

The maximum flow parameter of a predefined pump curve may be the largest flow value at the pump curve whereas the minimum flow parameter of a predefined pump may be the lowest flow value at the pump curve.

In one embodiment of the invention at least one pressure sensor is arranged in the distribution network and the control unit is configured to change the maximal pressure parameter and/or the minimum pressure parameter and/or one or more intermediate pressure parameters of the pump curve automatically according to at least one pressure value provided by at least one pressure sensor. By arranging one or more pressure sensors in the distribution network configuring the control unit to change the maximal pressure parameter of the pump curve automatically according to at least one pressure value provided by at least one pressure sensor the regulation of the pump curve can be carried out on the basis of one or more valid pressure measurements at specific locations in the distribution network. These locations may be selected in any suitable way. By way of example it is possible to arrange the sensors at so-called critical points (points at which minimum pressure is expected) in the network.

When a pressure parameter of a pump curve is changed the shape of the pump curve is altered. It is possible to keep the maximal pressure, intermediate and minimum pressure parameters of the pump curve and merely change the flow values. However, it is also possible to change the pressure parameters according to one or more pressure values provided by sensors arranged in the distribution network by way of example.

When sensors are arranged in the distribution network it is possible to optimise the pump curve according to measured pressure values. When no sensors are available in the distribution network it may be possible to simply adjust the flow parameters of the pump curve when a low or high flow value is detected because this will indicate that it would be an advantage to change the used pump curve.

In one embodiment of the present invention the control unit is configured to change the maximal pressure parameter and/or the minimum pressure parameter and/or one or more intermediate pressure parameters of the pump curve automatically when a max flow and/or a minimum flow and/or a pressure value is determined. Hereby it can be achieved that the pump curve is maintained during stabile conditions and that the pump curve can be changed when the determined flow is very high (e.g. when a max flow is determined) or very low (when a minimum flow is determined). The determined flow may be a flow measurement provided by a flow sensor, however; it may also be a calculated or estimated value. It is possible to change one or more pressure parameters of the pump curve. As long as the flow lies within a predefined flow interval the pressure may be regulated by using a pump curve that corresponds to this predefined flow interval. However, when a flow outside this predefined flow interval is detected, it will be possible to adjust the pump curve accordingly. If a very high flow is detected, by way of example, it is possible to adjust the maximal pressure parameter. It is possible to change the pump curve according to any of the detected value or values that are derived from the detected values.

In one embodiment of the present invention the control unit is configured to apply different predefined sets of curves for different time periods (e.g. different curves for different days). By way of example it is possible to generate different sets of regulation regimes corresponding to e.g., working days and weekends, respectively or to day time and night time, respectively. The regulation principles may be the same for different sets of regulation time regimes—it is possible just to use different values to change the pump curves. By way of example it is possible to use a proportionality curve or a quadratic curve for regulation during both day and night time. Each of these curves can be adjusted separately according to the methods described in this document.

In one embodiment of the present invention the control unit is configured to change the pump curve automatically according to corresponding flow and pressure values determined in the distribution network. When the distribution network includes means for determining flow and pressure values this information may be used to regulate the pressure curve according to an optimisation criterion that is based on corresponding flow and pressure values determined in the distribution network

In one embodiment of the present invention the control unit is configured to optimise the pump curve according to predefined pressure values provided by at least one of the pressure sensors. Hereby it is possible to use one or more pressure sensors to provide pressure information and use this information define pressure curves that can be used for regulating the distribution network. In this manner the control unit may “learn” or “adapt” the pump curve to the distribution network.

It is possible to use a predefined pump curve that is a proportional curve or a quadratic curve.

It may be an advantage that the distribution unit includes at least one pressure sensor that is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit. Hereby it is possible to provide communication between a sensor and the control unit in an easy and flexible way even when the sensor and the control unit are placed far from each other.

The distribution network may be a water distribution network having a plurality of end users. Water distribution networks are widely used and the potential for reducing water leakage is very high. Another example of a distribution network is a district heating system delivering heated water to a number of end users.

It may be an advantage that at least one sensor is arranged at a point in the distribution network where a minimum pressure is expected and/or at a point in the distribution network where the pressure is expected to exceed a predefined value. Typically the pressure in the so-called critical points (points at which minimum pressure is expected) in the network should exceed a predefined value in order to ensure optimal performance and avoid ingress of contaminated water from outside into the distribution network.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention the at least one flow value is a determined max flow and/or a minimum flow of the fluid within a predefined time period and the maximal flow of the pump curve is set to the determined peak flow and/or that the minimum flow of the flow curve is set to the determined minimum flow.

Thus, the pump curve can be adjusted automatically according to the max flow and/or the minimum flow and hereby a specific adaptation and regulation of the pump curve can be provided so that the generated pressure can be adjusted to the actual required pressure so that the fluid losses can be minimised.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention the at least one flow value is measured continuously and that the pump curve is changed automatically by changing the maximum flow parameter and/or the minimum flow parameter and/or one or more intermediate flow parameters of a predefined pump curve as function of time. This method makes it possible to change the pump curve on the basis of events that indicates that the pump curve should be adjusted. Accordingly, the pressure regulation is carried out continuously by using the most suitable pump curve and hence the difference between the provided pressure and the pressure needed in the distribution network can be minimised even when the conditions in the distribution network are changing.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention the pump curve is changed automatically according to corresponding flow and pressure values determined in the distribution network. In case that the distribution network includes means for determining flow and pressure values these values may be applied to regulate the pressure curve as intended.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention the method includes:a) at least one flow is measured in the distribution network;b) it is determined whether the at least one measured flow lies within a predefined flow area;c) at least one pressure is measured in the distribution network;d) a pump curve is calculated so that the difference between the measured pressure and a predefined pressure is minimisede) the pressure of the fluid in the distribution network is regulated according to the calculated pump curve.

Hereby a very specific pump curve regulation can be achieved. The flow area is divided into a number of segments and the pump curve can be specified in each of these segments. A very specific pump curve form can be achieved by using this principle.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention includes:a) at least one request signal is sent from the control unit to one or more pressure sensors in the distribution network and that;b) pressure information is sent from the one or more pressure sensors in the distribution network to the control unit and thatc) a pump curve is calculated so that the difference between the measured pressure and a predefined pressure is minimised and thatd) the pressure of the fluid in the distribution network is regulated according to the calculated pump curve.

This method makes it possible to send a request to a pressure sensor in the distribution network and use the returned pressure information to regulate the pump curve so that the provided pressure at the place at which the pressure sensor is placed is adjusted towards preset requirements. The pressure sensors may be configured to measure pressure as they are supplied with energy (for instance electrical energy from the mains or a battery). The sensors should be adapted to receive request signals sent from the control unit and to send pressure information to the control unit when a request signal is received. It is possible to use sensors that are configured to measure pressure information only when a request signal is received. In this way energy for performing the pressure measurements and for sending pressure information to the control unit may be reduced. The pressure sensors may measure an absolute pressure or pressure difference (a pressure difference between to pipes or between a predefined reference and a measured pressure by way of example).

In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention at least one pressure sensor arranged in the distribution network is configured to generate an alarm if the measured pressure and/or pressure difference is above a first predefined value or below a second predefined value. Hereby it is possible to minimise the rate of which information is sent from the sensor(s) to the control unit and hence the energy supply of the sensor may have a lower capacity and/or a longer life time.

It may be an advantage if the data transfer between a sensor in the distribution network and the control unit is wireless. The data transfer between a sensor in the distribution network and the control unit is carried out by using a wireless network (e.g. the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)), preferably as a text communication service, preferably a Short Message Service (SMS).

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments which can be modified in many ways. This applies in particular to the shape of the pump curves and the distribution networks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a prior art water distribution network2. The distribution network2is a water distribution network configured to deliver water from a waterworks30. The water is pressurised by two pump stations4that may comprises a number of pumps6(even though only one pump is illustrated the pump station4may comprise several pumps6). The distribution network includes a pipe system32is configured so that water can be delivered to a number of end users26. A number of pressure sensors12and a number of pressure reduction valves28are arranged in the network2.

The pump stations4pressurises the water to a preset level. The pressure sensors12send information to the pump stations4so that the required pressure can be provided constantly. A number of pressure reduction valves28are configured to reduce the pressure to different end users26. Accordingly, it can be achieved that the pressure at the end users26is reduced to a level that minimises the chance of pipe break down in the end user section of the network2. The pressure reduction valves28may receive pressure information from pressure sensors12arranged in the network2.

FIG. 2illustrates a prior art pump curve21and a pressure curve20according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pressure curves20,21show the pressure22as function of the flow24. The pump curve16for one pump is presented together with the pump curve18for two pumps in the same graph as the pressure curves20,21for regulation of the pressure. The graph shows that the prior art pump curve21is a constant curve corresponding to a pressure H1. The pressure curve20according to an embodiment of the present invention is a proportional curve defining a linear relationship between the flow24and pressure22. It can be seen that pressure regulation by using the pressure curve20according to an embodiment of the present invention will lower the pressure dramatically, especially in the low flow area.

FIG. 3aillustrates an example of a water distribution network2according to an embodiment of the invention. A pump station4is provided near the supply line8of the network2. The network may include several pumps6even though only one pump is shown. The network2includes a number of end users26constituting an end user section34. A flow sensor10and a pressure sensor12are arranged at the pipe system32between the pump station4and the end user section34. Information36is sent from the sensors10,12to the control unit (not shown) in the pump station4. It would be possible to arrange the flow sensor10and the pressure sensor12closer to or in the end user section34(e.g. at an end user26). It would also be possible to apply alternative pressure and flow sensing means that may be integrated in one or more pumps6of the pump station4by way of example.

InFIG. 3ba heat distribution network2is illustrated. The heat distribution network2includes a heat distribution center38and a pump station4arranged next to the heat distribution center38. An inlet pipe40is arranged so that heated water can be pumped from the pump station4to the end users26in the end user section34. An outlet pipe42is arranged parallel to the inlet pipe40in the network2. When the water has been cooled down at the end user26in the end user section34the water is returned the heat distribution center38through the outlet pipe42. The pressure difference between the inlet pipe40and the outlet pipe42is being measured by a pressure sensor12and this pressure information36is send to the control unit (not shown) in the pump station4. A flow sensor10is arranged next to the pump station4and flow information is sent to the pump station4.

WhenFIG. 3aandFIG. 3bare compared it can be seen that both networks include almost the same elements. In the water distribution network2presented inFIG. 3athe absolute pressure is regulated while the pressure difference between the inlet pipe40and the outlet pipe42is regulated in the heat distribution network2shown inFIG. 3b.

InFIG. 3ca pump curve20according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The pump curve20may be used to control the pressure in a water distribution network2like the one presented inFIG. 3awhich means that the pressure in the distribution network2may be adjusted or maintained according to the pump curve20. The pump curve20may also be used to control the pressure difference between the inlet pipe40and the outlet pipe42in the heat distribution network2shown inFIG. 3b. The pressure22is plotted as function of the flow24. The pump curve16can be achieved by using one pump, while the pump curve18can be achieved by using two pumps, however; the in the same graph the pressure curve20for regulating the pressure in a network as illustrated inFIG. 3aorFIG. 3bis shown. Such pump curve20may be achieved by controlling the speed of the pump(s)6in the pump station4.

The graph shown inFIG. 3cillustrates that the maximal flow Qmaxas well as the minimum flow Qminof the pump curve20can be changed. The maximal pressure Hmaxas well as the minimum pressure Hminof the pump curve20is remained during this regulation strategy.

As long as the flow remains within the interval between Qminand Qmaxthe pressure is regulated by using the pump curve20. However, if a flow below Qminis detected the lower end of the (flow of the) pump curve20is lowered. On the other hand, if a flow above Qmaxis detected the upper end of the (flow of the) pump curve20is increased. In order to make sure that the pressure regulation is adapting to changing conditions it is possible to log all flow near the end points of the pump curve20and define the actual Qmaxas the highest detected flow within a predefined time period and/or define the actual Qminas the lowest detected flow within a predefined time period (so that the pump curve slowly forgets very “old” values). It may be possible to filter (e.g. by using a low pass filter) the detected flow signals so that noise and unwanted signals can be avoided.

FIG. 4aillustrates another example of a water distribution network2according to an embodiment of the invention. This network2includes the same components as the water distribution network2shown inFIG. 3a. However, in addition a number of pressure sensors12are arranged in the end user section34. These pressure sensors12are configured to send pressure information36to a control unit (not shown) in the pump station4.

FIG. 4bshows a heat distribution network2that is almost equal to the heat distribution network2shown inFIG. 4b. The heat distribution network2includes a heat distribution center38and a pump station4arranged next to the heat distribution center38. A number of pressure sensors12are configured to measure pressure difference between the inlet water and the outlet water. The pressure sensors12are configured to send pressure information36to the control unit (not shown) in the pump station4.

FIG. 4cshows a pump curve20according to an embodiment of the invention. The pump curve20is intended to be applied to control the pressure in a water distribution network2like the one presented inFIG. 4aor the pressure difference between the inlet pipe40and the outlet pipe42in the heat distribution network2shown inFIG. 4b. Like inFIG. 3cthe pressure22is plotted as function of the flow24. A pump curve16may be achieved by using one pump and the pump curve18can be achieved by using two pumps. The pressure curve20for regulating the pressure in a network is illustrated as a proportionality curve (the pressure is a linear function of the flow). This pump curve20can be achieved by controlling the speed of the pump(s)6in the pump station4.

In the following, one preferred method for updating the pump curve20is described. Pressure detections (e.g. measured by pressure sensors) in the network2are used to carry out the update of the pump curve29. It is assumed that one pressure and one pressure reference are related to each measurement point. In one preferred embodiment of the invention it is defined that all measured pressures should exceed their reference, hence we define the following variable for the curve update procedure:

However, maximum value, mean value or others could also be used depending on the requirements of the network2.

The control of the pump is done according to a pump curve. In the case where the pump curve is quadratic it is described by the following expression
ppump=aQ2+bQ+c.

Each time the pump flow Q is inside one of the regions shown inFIG. 4corFIG. 5pressure information on the sensors12in the network is requested and the pump curve parameters are updated according to this information. Each flow band can be defined by a middle value (Qbjfor the jthband) and width δQ such that the band is given by:
[Qbj−δQ:Qbj+δQ]

The average values of the flow bands are updated according to the behaviour of the flow in the system, whereas δQ is a design constant.

The following matrix and vector is used for describing how the update of the curve parameters is done

In fact Qb1, Qb2, and Qb3are not constant; they are varying according to the flows detected in the network2. In the case where the flow is in band1, meaning that the pump flow Qb1−δQ<Q<Qb1+δQ, a request for the pressure information from the sensors12in the network k is sent. The requested information can be recalculated to obtain pdiffand the update can be done by the following expression:

where k and k+1 means that the kthupdated parameter vector is used to calculate the k+1thparameter vector. In the case of updates based on measurements from band2and3the following expressions can be used:

The pump curve20may be changed in order to meet an optimisation criterion that may be selected by the manager of the distribution network2. One optimisation criterion may be to provide the lowest possible pressure and still securing that the required minimum pressure is provided everywhere in the distribution network2.