GAS NETWORK AND METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF LEAKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS IN A GAS NETWORK UNDER PRESSURE OR VACUUM

摘要

Method for the simultaneous detection, localization and quantification of leaks (13a) and obstructions (13b) in a gas network (1) under pressure or vacuum; the gas network (1) comprising: - one or more sources (6) of compressed gas or vacuum; - one or more consumers (7) or consumer areas of compressed gas or vacuum applications; - pipelines (5) or a network (4) of pipelines (5) to transport the compressed gas or vacuum from the sources (6) to the consumers (7), consumer areas or applications; - a plurality of sensors (9a, 9b, 9d) providing one or more physical parameters of the gas at different times and locations within the gas network (1); character!zed in that the gas network (1) is further provided with a number of controllable or adjustable relief valves (10a}, a number of controllable or adjustable throttle valves (10b) and possibly one or a plurality of sensors (9c) capable of monitoring the status or state of the relief valves (10a) and/or throttle valves (10b) and that the method comprises the following steps: - a training phase (16), in which a mathematical model is established between the measurements of a first group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) and a second group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d't based on different measurements of these sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d), wherein the controllable or adjustable relief valves (10a) and throttle valves (10b) are controlled in a predetermined sequence and according to well- designed scenarios to generate leaks (13a) and obstructions (13b) respectively; - an operational phase (17), in which the mathematical model established between the measurements of the first,group of sensors (9af 9b, 9c, 9d) and the second, group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is used,to detect, locate and quantify leaks (13a) and obstructions (13b) in the gas network; wherein the operational phase (17) comprises the following steps: ~ controlling, if necessary, the relief valves and the throttle valves In a predetermined order and according to well-designed scenarios; reading out the first group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 3d); - based on these readout measurements, calculating or determining the value of the second group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) with the help of the mathematical model; ~ comparing the calculated or determined values of the second group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 3d) with the read values of the second group of sensors (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) and determining the difference between them; determining whether there is a. leak (13a) and/or- an. obstruction (13b) in.the gas network on the basis of the aforementioned difference and any of its derivatives; - generating an alarm, if a leak (13a) or obstruction (13b) is detected and/or determining the location of the leak (13a) and/or obstruction (13b) and/or determining the flow rate of the leak (13a) and/or the degree of obstruction of the obstruction (13b) and/or generating the leakage and/or obstruction cost.