Method for detecting a leak in a line system and control system for carrying out the method

Abstract

A method for detecting a leak in a line system having a distribution line where the first end can be closed by a first valve and at the second end of which at least one consumer is arranged, a pressure sensor by means of which the pressure in the distribution line can be ascertained, and at least one second valve wherein at least one second valve is arranged between the pressure sensor and at least one of the consumers is disclosed. The method contains the steps of a) closing the first valve, b) ascertaining a first pressure reduction rate (PR1); c) closing the at least one second valve; d) ascertaining a second pressure reduction rate (PR2); and e) determining the region of the leak on the basis of the ascertained pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2).

Claims

1. A method for detecting a leak in a line system having a distribution line (10), a first end of which can be closed with a first valve (1) and at a second end of which at least one consumer (2, 2′) is arranged, the line system having a pressure sensor (3), with which a pressure in the distribution line (10) can be determined, and having at least one second valve (4, 4′), wherein the at least one second valve (4, 4′) is arranged between the pressure sensor (3) and the at least one consumers (2, 2′), the method comprising the steps of: a) closing the first valve (1); b) determining a first pressure reduction rate (PR1); c) closing the at least one second valve (4, 4′); d) determining a second pressure reduction rate (PR2); e) determining a region of the leak based on the determined pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the leak is located downstream of the at least one second valve (4, 4′) when the first pressure reduction rate (PR1) is greater than a first threshold value (SW1) and the second pressure reduction rate (PR2) is less than a second threshold value (SW2), and wherein the leak is located upstream of the at least one second valve (4, 4′) when the first pressure reduction rate (PR1) and the second pressure reduction rate (PR2) are greater than the first threshold value (SW1).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method is stopped when the determined first pressure reduction rate (PR1) is greater than the second threshold value (SW2).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein two or more consumers (2, 2′) and two or more second valves (4, 4′) are provided in the line system, wherein at least one further second valve (4) is provided between the pressure sensor (3) and each consumer (2, 2′), comprising the steps of: f) closing the at least one further second valve (4) after determining the second pressure reduction rate (PR2); g) determining a third pressure reduction rate (PR3) before determining the region of the leak.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the leak is located downstream of the at least one further second valve (4) when the previously determined pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2) are greater than the first threshold value (SW1) and the third pressure reduction rate (PR3) is less than the second threshold value (SW2), and wherein the leak is located upstream of the at least one further second valve (4) when all pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2, PR3) are greater than the first threshold value (SW1).

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the previously closed valve (1, 4, 4′) is reopened allow flow and closed again for detecting a leak at a later time when any of the determined pressure reduction rate (PR1, PR2, PR3) exceeds a predetermined value.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein before being closed again, the corresponding valve (1, 4, 4′) remains open for a predetermined time.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a flow sensor is provided in the line system, and wherein the predetermined time is determined based on a flow previously determined by the flow sensor.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the execution of the method is carried out in a predetermined period of time.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed at predetermined intervals.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein each consumer (2, 2′) comprises a plurality of tapping points (20, 21, 22) and the at least one second valve (4, 4′) is arranged upstream of each tapping point (20, 21, 22) and wherein in each consumer line (11) the respective second valve (4, 4′) arranged most downstream is closed first and subsequently a valve (4, 4′) adjoining in the direction of the pressure sensor (3) is closed.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second valves (4, 4′) are provided in the distribution line (10) between the at least one consumer (2, 2′) and the pressure sensor (3), and wherein in the distribution line (10), the second valve (4) arranged most downstream is closed first and subsequently the second valve (4) adjoining in the direction of the pressure sensor (3) is closed.

13. A method for detecting a leak in a line system having a distribution line (10), a first end of which can be closed with a first valve (1) and at a second end of which at least one consumer (2, 2′) is arranged, the line system having a pressure sensor (3), with which a pressure in the distribution line (10) can be determined, and having at least one second valve (4, 4′), wherein the at least one second valve (4, 4′) is arranged between the pressure sensor (3) and at least one of the consumers (2, 2), the method comprising the steps of: a) closing all valves (1,4,4′); b) determining a first pressure reduction rate (PR1); c) opening the at least one second valve (4,4′); d) determining a second pressure reduction rate (PR2); e) determining the region of the leak based on the determined pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the leak is located upstream of the at least one second valve (4,4′) when the first pressure reduction rate (PR1) is greater than a first threshold value (SW1), and wherein the leak is located downstream of the at least one second valve (4,4′) when the first pressure reduction rate (PR1) is less than the first threshold value (SW1) and the second pressure reduction rate (PR2) is greater than the first threshold value (SW1).

15. A control system for detecting a leak in a line system having a distribution line (10), a first end of which can be closed with a first valve (1) and at a second end of which at least one consumer (2, 2′) is arranged, the line system having a pressure sensor (3), with which a pressure in the distribution line (10) can be determined, and having at least one second valve (4,4′), wherein the at least one second valve (4, 4′) is arranged between the pressure sensor (3) and each consumer (2, 2′), wherein the first valve (1), the at least one second valve (4, 4′) and the pressure sensor (3) are connected to a controller (5), wherein the controller (5) is configured to close the first valve (1), determine a first pressure reduction rate (PR1), close the at least one second valve (4, 4′), determining a second pressure reduction rate (PR2) and determine the a region of the leak based on the determined pressure reduction rates (PR1, PR2).

16. The control system according to claim 15, wherein connection between the first valve (1), the at least one second valve (4,4′), the pressure sensor (3) and the controller (5) is wired or wireless.

17. The control system according to claim 15, comprising a display unit with which the region of the leak can be displayed.

18. The control system according to claim 15, comprising a transmission unit with which information can be transmitted away from or to the control system.

19. A valve unit for detecting a leak in a line system, wherein the valve unit comprises a first valve (1) and a control system according to claim 15.

20. The valve according to claim 19, wherein the valve unit comprises a pressure sensor (3) or a pressure sensor (3) and a flow sensor (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a FIGURE. This is for explanatory purposes only and is not to be construed restrictively, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a line system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a line system. The line system comprises a distribution line 10, the first end of which can be closed by a first valve 1 and at the second end of which at least one consumer 2, 2′ is arranged. A pressure sensor 3 is arranged in the distribution line 10, adjacent to the first valve 1, with which the pressure of the fluid in the distribution line 10 can be determined. The line system comprises several second valves 4, 4′, each of which is arranged between the pressure sensor 3 and one of the consumers 2, 2′. The distribution line 10 is separable from a feed line 6 by the first valve 1. A flow sensor 7, with which the flow rate of the liquid in the distribution line 10 can be determined, is arranged adjacent to the first valve 1 in the distribution line 10. In this illustration, the distribution line 10 corresponds to a riser in a building which supplies fluid, for example water, to the individual floors. Each consumer 2, 2′ comprises several tapping points 20, 21, 22, which are connected by a consumer line 11 to each other. The consumer line 11 can be separated from the distribution line 10 by the second valve 4. Tapping points are, for example, wash basins 20, showers 21 or toilets 22. In the consumer 2 on the top floor, a further second valve 4 is arranged upstream of the toilet 22. Thus, it can be checked separately whether the leak is in the area of the toilet. Obviously, the other tapping points can also be provided with their own second valve. A critical area of the distribution line 10, namely its deflection region, can be checked separately for leaks by two second valves 4 arranged flanking it. All valves and sensors are connected to the controller 5, even if this is not shown for all of them for reasons of clarity.

(4) Alternatively, the consumers 2, 2′ can be arranged in series one behind the other, not as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the consumer line 11 extends over several floors. In principle, this corresponds to a consumer which comprises several tapping points connected in series, which are arranged on different floors.

(5) If this line system is to be checked for leaks, a period is first determined in which no water is usually drawn by a user. For example, in a residential building between two and three o'clock at night. During this period, the first valve 1 is then closed, forming a closed pressure space in the liquid lines of the system. Subsequently, the pressure in the distribution line is measured over a period of time, for example 10 minutes. If no pressure drop is measured during this time, the pressure reduction rate is zero and the procedure is stopped. If the pressure reduction rate is too high, water withdrawal is assumed and the procedure is aborted. If the pressure reduction rate is within a plausible range, the second valve located downstream in the pipe system in the direction of flow is closed first. In the case shown, this is the second valve 4 of the last tapping point 22 in the consumer 2 on the top floor. If the determined pressure reduction rate is zero after closing this valve, the leak must be at the last tapping point 22. If the pressure reduction rate is essentially the same, the leak is in the line system upstream of this valve. Subsequently, the second valve 4 upstream of the consumer 2 on the top floor is closed. If the pressure reduction rate determined thereafter is zero, the leak is in this consumer, upstream of the last tapping point 22. If the pressure reduction rate is not zero, the leak must be in the distribution line (10) or in the consumer 2′, 2″ of one of the other two floors. By closing the second valves 4′, 4″, it can be determined analogously whether the leak must be in the respective consumer 2′, 2″ or in the distribution line 10. If it is determined that the leak must be in the distribution line 10, it can be determined by closing the second valves 4, in the direction of flow downstream and upstream of the deflection region, whether the leak must be in the area of the riser, in the deflection region or in the area between the deflection region and the first valve 1. If a pressure reduction rate is determined during the execution of the method, which indicates a withdrawal, the previously closed valve is opened again, closed again after a certain time and the determination of the corresponding pressure reduction rate is repeated. The flow sensor 7 can be used to determine the amount of water that has flowed during a withdrawal. In addition, it is possible to dispense with carrying out the method for detecting a leak if the flow sensor 7 indicates that a withdrawal is currently taking place. After detecting all flow rates, the result, i.e., the location of the leak, is displayed on a display unit of the control system. The display unit can be on site or can be wirelessly connected to the controller 5 of the control unit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(6) 1 First valve 10 Distribution line 11 Consumer line 2 Consumer 20 Washbasin 21 Shower 22 WC 3 Pressure sensor 4 Second valve 5 Controller 6 Feed line 7 Flow sensor PR1,2,3 Pressure reduction rate SW1,2 Threshold value