Device and method for distributing a fluid in an industrial facility

Abstract

The invention can include a device and method for distributing a fluid in an industrial facility that comprises a fluid distribution pipe, a discharge pipe, a distribution valve that is positioned on the distribution pipe and controlling the distribution of fluid between an upstream area and a downstream area, a discharge valve positioned on the discharge pipe, and measuring means for measuring, in real time, a characteristic parameter of the distribution of the fluid within one of the pipes. A module is also included for calculating a sliding threshold value of the characteristic parameter and means configured to control the partial gradual opening or closing of the discharge valve depending on the result of the comparison of said sliding threshold value with an instantaneous value of the characteristic parameter, in order to improve reliability of the industrial facility.

Claims

1. A distribution device for distributing a fluid in an industrial facility, the distribution device comprising: a fluid distribution pipe configured to transport the fluid between an upstream area and a downstream customer of the distribution device; a discharge pipe originating from the distribution pipe; a distribution valve placed on the distribution pipe and controlling the distribution of fluid between the upstream area and the downstream customer; a discharge valve placed on the discharge pipe; and a measurement device configured to measure, in real time, a characteristic parameter of the distribution of the fluid within one of the pipes, wherein the distribution device comprises a calculation module configured to calculate a sliding threshold value of the characteristic parameter, and a controller configured to command the partial gradual opening or closing of the discharge valve as a function of the result of the comparison between said sliding threshold value and an instantaneous value of the characteristic parameter measured by the measurement device, wherein the calculation module is configured to set the sliding threshold value at a fixed value as soon as the discharge valve reaches a predefined degree of opening, where the calculation module is further configured to set the fixed threshold value at the instant at which the measured instantaneous measured value of the characteristic parameter exceeds the sliding threshold value.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement device comprises at least one gas pressure sensor.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discharge valve is a stepper motor valve.

4. A distribution device for distributing a fluid in an industrial facility, the distribution device comprising: a fluid distribution pipe configured to transport the fluid between an upstream area and a downstream customer of the distribution device; a discharge pipe originating from the distribution pipe; a distribution valve placed on the distribution pipe and controlling the distribution of fluid between the upstream area and the downstream customer; a discharge valve placed on the discharge pipe; and measurement means for measuring, in real time, a characteristic parameter of the distribution of the fluid within one of the pipes, wherein the distribution device comprises a module for calculating a sliding threshold value of the characteristic parameter, and means configured to command the partial gradual opening or closing of the discharge valve as a function of the result of the comparison between said sliding threshold value and an instantaneous valve of the characteristic parameter measured by the measurement means, wherein the calculation module is configured to set the sliding threshold value at a fixed value as soon as the discharge valve reaches a predefined degree of opening, wherein the predefined degree of opening is of the order of 5%.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention are apparent from the following description of working and numerical examples and from the drawings. All described and/or depicted features on their own or in any desired combination form the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of the way in which they are combined in the claims or the way in which said claims refer back to one another.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fluid distribution device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 respectively presents the variations over time in a characteristic parameter of a fluid transported in a distribution line such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, together with the corresponding variations in the sliding threshold value and in the opening of a discharge valve of such a distribution line, according to a first embodiment of the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 respectively presents the variations over time in a characteristic parameter of a fluid transported in a distribution line such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, together with the corresponding variations in the sliding threshold value and in the opening of a discharge valve of such a distribution line, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

(5) It should first be noted that while the figures depict the invention in detail for the purposes of implementation, these figures can of course serve to better define the invention, where necessary.

(6) However, it should be remembered that these figures only show some of the possible embodiments according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 schematically shows a fluid distribution device 100 according to the invention.

(8) The fluid distribution device 100 advantageously forms part of an industrial facility which is not shown in FIG. 1. The distribution device 100 comprises a distribution pipe 1, configured to transport, within the aforementioned industrial facility, a fluid 110, shown by way of example in FIG. 1, between an upstream area 200 and a downstream customer 300: the fluid 110 thus flows in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG. 1. By way of non-exclusive examples, the upstream area 200 is, for example, a fluid storage area 110, or a part of the industrial facility in which the fluid 110 is obtained, for example as a main product or as a by-product of one or more chemical reactions.

(9) The downstream customer 300 is the part of the industrial facility to which the fluid 110 is transported.

(10) By way of non-exclusive examples, the downstream customer 300 may be the part of the industrial facility in which the process for which said industrial facility was designed is carried out, or the downstream customer 300 may be a part of this industrial facility in which a specific step of said process is carried out.

(11) According to different embodiments of the invention, the fluid 110 may be either a gas, a mixture of gases, a liquid, a mixture of liquids, or a mixture of liquids and gases.

(12) Referring to FIG. 1, the distribution device 100 according to the invention also comprises a discharge pipe 2 originating from the distribution pipe 1, as well as a distribution valve 3 placed on the distribution pipe 1 and a discharge valve 4 placed on the discharge pipe 2. The distribution valve 3 controls the distribution of the fluid 110 to the downstream customer 300 and the discharge valve 4 is, for example, a vent valve or flare valve. According to other exemplary embodiments, the discharge valve 4 may be a valve placing the fluid 110 conveyed in the discharge pipe 2 in communication with a temporary storage area or a recovery area, not shown in FIG. 1. The assembly formed by the distribution pipe 1, the discharge pipe 2, and the distribution 3 valve and the discharge 4 valve, constitutes a line for distribution of the fluid 110 within the industrial facility in which the distribution device 100 according to the invention is located.

(13) The distribution pipe 1 is, within the industrial facility, the preferred route for transporting the fluid 110 between the upstream area 200 and the downstream customer 300. However, it may be that, within the industrial facility, the demand for fluid 110 from the downstream customer 300 slows down or even stops: the invention relates to the case where, when the demand for fluid 110 is slowed down or stopped by the downstream customer 300, it is not possible or not desirable for the industrial facility to slow down or stop, upstream, conveying the fluid 110 from the upstream area 200.

(14) In this case, the excess portion of fluid 110 is conveyed in the discharge pipe 2, originating from the distribution line 1, so as to be evacuated, by opening the discharge valve 4, out of the distribution line defined previously.

(15) As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the discharge pipe 2 is connected branching off from the distribution pipe 1. Thus, when the demand for fluid 110 is slowed down or stopped by the downstream customer 300, all or some of the fluid 110 can be conveyed to the discharge pipe 2. The discharge valve 4 must then be commanded to allow evacuation of the fluid 110 flowing in the discharge pipe 2 to, as the case may be, the open air, a flare, or a storage or recovery area as indicated above.

(16) Advantageously, the opening and, subsequently, closing of the discharge valve 4 are governed by an indication provided by means 5 for measuring, in real time, a characteristic parameter P of the fluid 110. According to the invention, the measurement means 5 perform, in real time, the measurement of a previously selected parameter P which is characteristic of the fluid 110. As mentioned above, in this case “real time” means that the measurement means 5 are configured so that the time interval separating two consecutive measurements is defined in such a way that the greatest possible number of significant variations in the characteristic parameter P are detected. Therefore, the measurement means 5 may, according to different embodiments of the invention, be real-time measurement means in the sense of the terminology commonly used, or they may be programmed to take successive measurements at a time interval predefined according to the above criteria.

(17) The characteristic parameter P is advantageously a physicochemical quantity, the value of which is representative of the fluid 110 and its transport within the distribution device 100. According to different embodiments of the invention and depending on the nature of the fluid 110, the characteristic parameter P may be (non-exhaustive list) the pressure, the temperature, the flow rate, the composition of the fluid 110 in a particular component, or a combination of two or more of these quantities.

(18) According to the invention, the distribution device 100 further comprises a module 6 configured to calculate a sliding threshold value St of the characteristic parameter P and to compare this sliding threshold value St with an instantaneous value Vt of the same characteristic parameter P, measured by said measurement means 5. The distribution device 100 according to the invention also comprises means 7 configured to command, as a function of the result of the comparison between the aforementioned instantaneous value Vt and the sliding threshold value St, the gradual partial opening/closing of the discharge valve. 4.

(19) The operation of the distribution device 100 according to the invention is depicted more specifically in FIGS. 2 and 3 according to a first and a second embodiment, respectively.

(20) More precisely, FIG. 2 comprises a first curve (curve at the top) on which are schematically shown, on the one hand (curve C1 in solid line), an example of a variation in the characteristic parameter P when the discharge valve 4 is controlled by the distribution device 100 according to the invention in accordance with the method according to the invention implemented by this device and, on the other hand (curve C2 in dashed line), the corresponding variation in the sliding threshold value St defined previously.

(21) It goes without saying that the general profile of variation in the characteristic parameter P was selected to illustrate the operation and the benefits of the invention: while it depicts variation trends commonly encountered in industrial facilities, it is not a precise representation thereof and should be understood as an illustrative example.

(22) In general, according to the invention, the module 6 calculates, at predefined time intervals not shown in the figures, a sliding average value of the instantaneous values Vt over a previously defined time interval Dt.

(23) More specifically, the invention advantageously provides that, at each instant t at which a measurement of the characteristic parameter P is taken by the aforementioned means 5, an average of the instantaneous values Vt of this parameter P is calculated by the calculation module 6 over a time interval Dt, the upper limit of which is said aforementioned instant t.

(24) Advantageously, the time interval Dt over which the sliding average is calculated is at least greater than 10 seconds. According to a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, this time interval Dt is of the order of 30 to 40 seconds.

(25) The sliding threshold value St according to the invention is obtained by adding, to the sliding average value Mt, a previously determined fixed value. This fixed value is, for example, but not exclusively, defined by a prior calibration of the industrial facility and/or of the distribution line in which the distribution device 100 according to the invention is placed. It may also be defined as a safety margin value calculated according to the parameters of the industrial facility.

(26) With reference to FIG. 2, the initial sliding average is associated with an initial sliding threshold value St0, established by the calculation module 6 on the basis of the instantaneous values of the parameter P measured over the time interval defined by the initial instant t0 and an earlier instant t0-Dt, not shown in FIG. 2.

(27) When the measured instantaneous value of the characteristic parameter P varies, the sliding average is adjusted as is, consequently, the sliding threshold value St.

(28) Thus, with reference to FIG. 2, at a first instant t1, the parameter P has reached a value Vt1, less than the value Vt0. At this first instant t1, the sliding average is calculated on the basis of the values of the parameter P measured successively during the predefined time interval Dt preceding this first instant t1. A new sliding threshold value St1 then results from the new sliding average, and so on until the parameter P exceeds, at a second instant t2, subsequent to the first instant t1, a value Vt2 equal to the sliding threshold value St2 calculated at this second instant t2.

(29) According to the invention, the calculation module 6 is configured to compare, at each instant t at which a measurement of the characteristic parameter P is taken, the sliding threshold value St with the measured instantaneous value Vt of said parameter P, and to command, as a function of the result of this comparison, the means 7, defined previously, to partially open the discharge valve 4 gradually, thus allowing gradual partial evacuation of the fluid 110 present in the discharge pipe 2.

(30) In other words, according to the embodiment depicted more particularly in FIG. 2, at the second instant t2, as the instantaneous value Vt2 of the parameter P is greater than the sliding threshold value St2 calculated over the time interval defined by the instants t2—Dt and t2, the discharge valve 4 is commanded to partially open gradually.

(31) According to the invention, the calculation module 6 is configured to continue updating, in real time, the sliding threshold value St and to command the means 7, defined previously, to gradually open the discharge valve 4, as long as the measured instantaneous value Vt of the characteristic parameter P is greater than the calculated sliding threshold value St, until a third instant t3 at which the degree of opening of the discharge valve 4, depicted by the curve C3 in dotted lines in FIG. 2 (bottom curve), reaches a predefined degree of opening TO.

(32) According to the invention, at this third instant t3, the calculation module 6 is configured to define a fixed threshold value ST of the parameter P and thus convert the sliding threshold value into a fixed threshold value. In other words, as soon as the discharge valve 4 reaches the predefined degree of opening TO, the invention provides that the sliding threshold value St take a fixed value ST, which is constant, and that the latter be equal to the sliding threshold value St3 at the instant t3.

(33) The invention then provides that the discharge valve 4 continues to be controlled beyond the predefined degree of opening TO, until the measured instantaneous value Vt of the characteristic parameter P stabilizes at a value substantially equal to the aforementioned constant fixed threshold value ST.

(34) In other words, according to the embodiment shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the invention provides: in a first operating regime, that the sliding threshold value St be updated in real time and compared, in real time, with the measured instantaneous value Vt of the parameter P, the result of this comparison governing the opening of the discharge valve 4, in a second operating regime, as soon as the discharge valve 4 is controlled in regulation of the instantaneous value Vt of the parameter P, that the threshold value St be fixed at a constant value ST if the discharge valve 4 reaches a predefined fixed degree of opening.

(35) The aforementioned first operating regime may include a temporary regime of opening of the discharge valve as soon as the instantaneous value of the characteristic parameter P exceeds the adjustable threshold value St, and the second operating regime can be considered as a continuous discharge regime, implemented as soon as it becomes essential to continuously discharge the fluid 110 through the discharge pipe 2.

(36) Advantageously, the aforementioned degree of opening TO of the discharge valve 4 on the basis of which the calculation module 6 is configured to set a constant threshold value of the parameter P is of the order of a few percent of the full opening of this valve: preferably, but not exclusively, it is of the order of 5% of the full opening of the discharge valve 4. It follows from the above that the invention makes it possible to update the parameters for controlling the state of the discharge valve 4 at all times, thereby optimizing the commands for opening or closing the latter.

(37) Note that the gradual partial opening of the discharge valve 4 makes it possible to avoid any sudden variation within the discharge pipe 2, which sudden variation could give rise to “water hammer” which could damage components of the discharge pipe 2 itself, and could have repercussions as far as the distribution line 1, with the risk not only of damaging components of the latter, but also, owing to any sudden variations in the parameter P following this “water hammer”, of distorting the calculation of the sliding average Mt, and therefore impairing the quality of the control of the discharge valve 4.

(38) Advantageously, the discharge valve 4 is, for example, a valve the opening and closing of which are commanded by a stepper motor, in order to facilitate gradual partial opening and closing of the valve.

(39) Note also that although, according to the example shown in FIG. 2, the comparison is carried out, at each instant t, between the instantaneous value Vt and the sliding average value Mt calculated at this same instant t, this comparison could, by way of non-limiting example, and without this negatively affecting the invention, be carried out, at each instant t, between the aforementioned sliding average value Mt and the instantaneous value V(t-Dt) measured at the instant t-Dt.

(40) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the curves C1, C2 and C3 present in FIG. 2 and explained above. FIG. 3 shows, at the top, an example of a variation in a characteristic parameter P of the fluid 110 (curve C1 in solid line) and the associated variation in the sliding threshold value St (curve C3 in dashed lines).

(41) According to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, a pre-opening of the discharge valve 4 is commanded, at a fourth instant t4, by the control means 7 on the basis of information previously received from the calculation module 6. This pre-opening is, for example, commanded when a variation in the characteristic parameter P is expected in the industrial facility, this variation possibly involving opening of the discharge valve 4 according to the operating mode shown for example by the curve C1. Such a configuration makes it possible, in particular, to anticipate significant variations in the parameter P and, therefore, to protect the components of the distribution line in which the distribution device 100 according to the invention is installed. The pre-opening is dimensioned according to the characteristics of the facility, and in particular the dimensions of the conduits and the flow rate of the fluid flowing in these conduits. It is understood that depending on the content of the programmed variation, the pre-opening carried out instantaneously in anticipation of this future variation in the parameter P is to a greater or lesser extent.

(42) According to the example shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the discharge valve 4 is commanded, at the aforementioned instant t4, to open to a value T4 with a value exceeding the degree of opening TO defined previously, at which instant t4 the parameter P increases suddenly.

(43) In accordance with the above, as soon as the opening of the discharge valve exceeds the predefined degree of opening, the invention provides that the calculation module 6 is configured to then define a constant threshold value St4, corresponding, for example, to the instantaneous value Vt4 of the parameter P measured at the instant t4, and that the discharge valve 4 is consequently controlled to adjust the parameter P around this threshold value St4.

(44) The invention as just described certainly achieves its aims in that it makes it possible, by simple means and a simple method, to control a discharge valve 4 of a distribution device 100 for distributing a fluid 110 in an industrial facility.

(45) This control, which is precise and reactive to variations in a quantity P characteristic of the distribution of the fluid 110, makes it possible both to protect the components of the distribution line from any overload, while optimizing the quantities of fluid 110 evacuated by the discharge valve 4 and, therefore, limiting losses of this fluid 110.

(46) However, the invention as just described is not limited solely to the means and configurations described and illustrated, and also applies to any equivalent means or configurations and to any combination of such means or configurations.

(47) In particular, while the invention has been described and illustrated in this document according to embodiments in which the discharge valve 4 is commanded to open as soon as the instantaneous value Vt of the characteristic parameter P rises above a sliding threshold value St, the invention encompasses alternative embodiments according to which the discharge valve 4 is commanded to open as soon as the aforementioned instantaneous value Vt falls below the aforementioned sliding threshold value St.

(48) While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

(49) The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(50) “Comprising” in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of “comprising”). “Comprising” as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” unless otherwise indicated herein.

(51) “Providing” in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

(52) Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

(53) Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

(54) All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.