Monitoring system, monitoring method and monitoring program for steam-using facility

Abstract

A monitoring system that monitors a steam-using facility 2 includes a temperature sensor that is a trap temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a steam trap 23a provided in a steam discharge unit 23 and / or a steam temperature sensor 23b configured to detect a temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap 23a and a pressure sensor 11 configured to detect a pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap. The monitoring system determines that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or a sign of the abnormality in the steam trap when (i) a temperature detection value obtained by the temperature sensor and / or statistical temperature data obtained by performing statistical processing on the temperature detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof and (ii) a pressure detection value obtained by the pressure sensor and / or statistical pressure data obtained by performing statistical processing on the pressure detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof.

Description

Monitoring system, monitoring method, and monitoring program for steam-using equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program for monitoring steam-using equipment.

[0002] In a steam-using facility consisting of steam-using equipment, if the steam-using equipment breaks down, it becomes necessary to repair or replace the steam-using equipment, and further, the operation of the steam-using facility must be stopped in order to perform the repair or replacement, which not only incurs repair and replacement costs but also results in the loss of profits that would have been obtained by operating the steam-using facility, and can result in extremely large losses. This is because steam-using facilities are generally designed to operate stably by maintaining the temperature and pressure of the steam within a predetermined control range during operation, and if the steam supply is cut off and the facility operation is stopped, it can take a lot of time and effort to bring the temperature and pressure up to the predetermined control range when the facility is started up again.

[0003] In view of these characteristics, steam-using equipment is operated to operate as continuously as possible. Ideally, the equipment is shut down only when external factors, such as scheduled maintenance or long vacations, require it to be shut down, and it is operated continuously at other times, which is preferable because it maximizes production opportunities. Therefore, it is preferable that maintenance work requiring equipment shutdown, such as equipment repair and replacement, be performed only during planned shutdown periods such as scheduled maintenance. To operate in this way, it is necessary to detect signs of equipment abnormalities before they become serious.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2015-222054 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology for detecting the state of a steam controller provided on a steam pipe attached to a steam-using device and estimating the operating status of the steam-using device based on the state. This technology makes it possible to detect an abnormality in the operating status of the steam-using device in advance, at the stage when an abnormality occurs in the steam controller, which is before a malfunction occurs in the steam-using device.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-222054

[0006] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 requires that the state of the steam controller itself be detected, and there are cases where the response speed to signs of abnormality is insufficient.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to develop a monitoring system that can detect signs of abnormalities at an earlier stage.

[0008] The monitoring system of the present invention is a monitoring system for monitoring steam-using equipment that includes a steam supply section that receives a supply of steam, a steam use section that uses the supplied steam, and a steam discharge section that discharges the used steam, and is equipped with at least one temperature sensor selected from the group consisting of a trap temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a steam trap provided in the steam discharge section and a steam temperature sensor that detects the temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap, and a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap, and is characterized in that when at least one of the temperature detection value by the temperature sensor and temperature statistical data obtained by statistically processing the temperature detection value, and at least one of the pressure detection value by the pressure sensor and pressure statistical data obtained by statistically processing the pressure detection value, all deviate from predetermined standards, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred or is a sign of an abnormality in the steam trap.

[0009] Furthermore, a monitoring method according to the present invention is a method for monitoring steam-using equipment comprising a steam supply section that receives a supply of steam, a steam use section that uses the supplied steam, and a steam discharge section that discharges the used steam, and is characterized by comprising: a temperature detection step that detects at least one of the temperature of a steam trap provided in the steam discharge section and the temperature of the steam flowing into the steam trap; a pressure detection step that detects the pressure of the steam flowing into the steam trap; and a judgment step that judges that an abnormality has occurred or is a sign of an abnormality in the steam trap when at least one of the temperature detection value in the temperature detection step and temperature statistical data obtained by statistically processing the temperature detection value, and at least one of the pressure detection value in the pressure detection step and pressure statistical data obtained by statistically processing the pressure detection value, all deviate from predetermined standards.

[0010] In addition, a monitoring program according to the present invention is a monitoring program for monitoring steam-using equipment comprising a steam supply unit that receives a supply of steam, a steam use unit that uses the supplied steam, and a steam discharge unit that discharges the used steam, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute: a temperature detection function that detects a signal from at least one of a trap temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a steam trap provided in the steam discharge unit and a steam temperature sensor that detects the temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap; a pressure detection function that detects a signal from a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap; and a judgment function that determines that an abnormality has occurred or is a sign of an abnormality in the steam trap when at least one of the temperature detection value by the temperature detection function and temperature statistical data obtained by statistically processing the temperature detection value, and at least one of the pressure detection value by the pressure detection function and pressure statistical data obtained by statistically processing the pressure detection value, all deviate from predetermined standards.

[0011] These configurations allow preventative repairs and inspections of equipment before the equipment abnormality becomes so serious that the steam-using facility must be shut down. In particular, steam temperature and pressure respond more quickly to equipment abnormalities than physical quantities related to the steam trap itself (temperature, vibration, etc.), so signs of abnormalities can be detected earlier than with conventional monitoring systems.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described below.

[0013] In one aspect, the monitoring system of the present invention preferably determines that an abnormality has occurred or is showing signs of occurring in the steam supply valve provided in the steam supply section when at least one of the pressure detection value and the pressure statistical data deviates from a predetermined standard and the temperature detection value and the temperature statistical data meet a predetermined standard.

[0014] This configuration makes it possible to detect signs of abnormalities related to the steam supply valve as well as the steam trap. This allows for highly accurate estimation of the type of abnormality occurring in which part of the steam-using equipment, making it easier to perform appropriate maintenance work and reducing the risk of loss of production opportunities.

[0015] In one aspect, the monitoring system of the present invention preferably includes an abnormality notification unit that, when it determines that an abnormality has occurred or that there are signs of an abnormality, can notify the manager of the steam-using equipment that the abnormality has occurred.

[0016] According to this configuration, the manager can quickly recognize the occurrence or signs of an abnormality, which further reduces the risk of loss of production opportunities.

[0017] In one aspect of the monitoring system of the present invention, the steam trap is equipped with an automatic cleaning mechanism that can automatically remove blockages that have formed in the steam trap, and it is preferable that the automatic cleaning mechanism is activated when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred or is showing signs of an abnormality in the steam trap.

[0018] According to this configuration, the abnormality or its symptoms can be resolved without manual maintenance work, so that production opportunities are less likely to be lost.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which is given with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Configuration diagram of a monitoring system and steam-using equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.Configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.Example of a temperature trend graph when steam-using equipment is operating normally.Example of a pressure trend graph when steam-using equipment is operating normally.Example of a temperature trend graph when an abnormality occurs in the steam trap.Example of a pressure trend graph when an abnormality occurs in the steam trap.Example of a temperature trend graph when an abnormality occurs in the control valve.Example of a pressure trend graph when an abnormality occurs in the control valve.

[0021] An embodiment of a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a method of monitoring a steam-using facility 2 using a monitoring system 1 to which the monitoring system according to the present invention is applied will be described as an example. The monitoring system 1 has the monitoring program according to the present invention installed therein.

[0022] In the claims, specification, drawings, and abstract of this application, the term "steam-using equipment" refers to equipment that operates by consuming the energy contained in steam, such as equipment driven by kinetic energy extracted from steam, equipment that consumes the thermal energy contained in steam to heat an object, etc. Examples of steam-using equipment include, but are not limited to, steam turbines, hot water production units, presses, autoclaves, reactors, and heaters.

[0023] [Basic Configuration of Steam-Using Equipment] First, the configuration of the steam-using equipment 2 to be monitored by the monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The steam-using equipment 2 includes a steam supply unit 21 that receives a supply of steam, a steam consuming unit 22 that operates by consuming the energy contained in the steam, and a steam exhaust unit 23 that exhausts the used steam ( FIG. 1 ). Steam piping 24 connects the devices provided in the steam supply unit 21, the steam consuming unit 22, and the steam exhaust unit 23 to allow steam to flow between them. The equipment also includes an equipment control unit 25 that controls the operation of the entire steam-using equipment 2. The steam-using equipment 2 is operated continuously in principle, except for planned shutdown periods for periodic maintenance and the like, and unexpected shutdown periods for maintenance and inspection such as equipment repair and replacement.

[0024] The steam supply unit 21 receives a supply of steam from a steam supply system (not shown) of a plant in which the steam-using equipment 2 is installed, and controls the amount of steam received from the steam supply system by a control valve 21 a (an example of a steam supply valve). The opening of the control valve 21 a is controlled by an equipment control unit 25. More specifically, the opening of the control valve 21 a is feedback-controlled by the equipment control unit 25 so that control parameters such as the temperature and pressure of the steam in the steam-using unit 22 fall within desired ranges.

[0025] A supply-side steam temperature sensor 21b for detecting the temperature of steam received from the steam supply system is also provided in the steam supply unit 21. A detection signal from the supply-side steam temperature sensor 21b is input to the equipment control unit 25, and the temperature of the received steam is taken into consideration when the equipment control unit 25 controls the steam-using equipment 2.

[0026] In the steam consumption section 22, the energy of the steam flowing in from the steam supply section 21 is consumed as heat or power to drive the steam-using equipment 22a. Therefore, the temperature and pressure of the steam discharged from the steam consumption section 22 to the steam discharge section 23 are lower than the temperature and pressure of the steam received by the steam supply section 21.

[0027] The drive unit and various sensors (none of which are shown) provided in the steam use unit 22 are communicatively connected to the equipment control unit 25, and the operation of the steam use unit 22 is controlled by the equipment control unit 25.

[0028] The steam discharge section 23 discharges steam used in the steam-using section 22 to the outside of the system, and controls the discharge of steam using a steam trap 23a. The steam trap 23a has a mechanism that automatically opens a valve to discharge the accumulated drain to the outside of the system when the amount of drainage accumulated inside exceeds a certain amount, and then automatically closes the valve again. The steam trap 23a is equipped with an automatic cleaning mechanism (not shown) that automatically removes blockages that have formed in the orifice portion, which is the steam discharge path in the steam trap 23a. The operation of this automatic cleaning mechanism is controlled by the monitoring system 1, as described below.

[0029] The steam discharge section 23 is also provided with a discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b for detecting the temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap 23a. A detection signal from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b is input to the equipment control section 25, and the temperature of the discharged steam is taken into consideration when the equipment control section 25 controls the steam-using equipment 2. The detection signal from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b is also input to the monitoring control section 12 of the monitoring system 1, and is also used by the monitoring system 1 to determine the state of the steam-using equipment 2, as will be described later.

[0030] Furthermore, a pressure sensor 11 for detecting the pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap 23a is installed in the steam discharge section 23. A detection signal from the pressure sensor 11 is input to a monitoring control section 12 of the monitoring system 1 and is also used by the monitoring system 1 to determine the state of the steam-using equipment 2, as will be described later.

[0031] [Basic Configuration of Monitoring System] Next, the configuration of the monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The monitoring system 1 includes a pressure sensor 11, a discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b (an example of a steam temperature sensor), and a monitoring control unit 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As described above, the pressure sensor 11 and the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b are both provided in the steam discharge unit 23, and are capable of detecting the temperature and pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap 23a.

[0032] The detection value of the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b is used both for the control of the steam-using equipment 2 by the equipment control unit 25 and for the monitoring of the steam-using equipment 2 by the monitoring system 1, and therefore the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b is a component of the steam-using equipment 2 as well as a component of the monitoring system 1. With this configuration, the production control sensor can also be used for monitoring, thereby reducing the number of installed sensors.

[0033] The monitoring and control unit 12 has a signal input unit 12 a, a calculation unit 12 b, an abnormality notification unit 12 c, a cleaning control unit 12 d, a memory unit 12 e, and a display unit 12 f. Detection signals from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23 b and the pressure sensor 11 are input to the signal input unit 12 a and passed to the calculation unit 12 b.

[0034] The calculation unit 12b determines the state of the steam-using equipment 2 based on the detection signals of the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b and the pressure sensor 11. More specifically, it determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the steam trap 23a and the control valve 21a.

[0035] When calculation unit 12b determines that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of steam trap 23a and control valve 21a, abnormality notification unit 12c transmits a signal to notify the manager of steam-using equipment 2 of the occurrence of the abnormality. Such a signal may be a signal of a type that can be directly recognized by the manager, such as a light or sound, or may be a signal that controls a communication device so that the manager can receive the notification by means of a telephone call, email, or the like.

[0036] Furthermore, when the calculation unit 12b determines that an abnormality has occurred in the steam trap 23a, the cleaning control unit 12d transmits a signal to operate the automatic cleaning mechanism provided in the steam trap 23a. This signal is input to the steam trap 23a, and the automatic cleaning mechanism is activated.

[0037] The memory unit 12e stores information handled by the monitoring system 1, such as the detection signals of the discharge side steam temperature sensor 23b and the pressure sensor 11 input to the signal input unit 12a, and information calculated and generated by the calculation unit 12b.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, the display unit 12f displays the current values, historical values, various statistical data, and various other information of the detected temperature and pressure, so that the manager of the steam-using equipment 2 can check this information as appropriate.

[0039] [Typical Abnormalities in Steam-Using Equipment] Here, as a premise for explaining a method for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the steam-using equipment 2, two typical abnormalities that may occur in the steam-using equipment 2 will be explained.

[0040] First, we will explain the clogging of the steam trap 23a. Steam flowing through a steam plant may entrain impurities, foreign matter, and substances such as sludge and elution from components such as piping. Such substances are prone to deposit and precipitate in the steam trap 23a, which is located at the end of the piping system, particularly in the orifice portion, which is the steam discharge path. Because the orifice portion is narrowed to precisely control the opening and closing of the steam trap 23a, foreign matter generated in the orifice portion can hinder the smooth discharge of condensate. More specifically, when the level of foreign matter generation is low, the discharge of condensate becomes unstable. When the level of foreign matter generation is high, the orifice portion becomes completely clogged, preventing the discharge of condensate. Here, when the discharge of condensate is unstable, the steam trap 23a typically accumulates condensate beyond the design capacity. Then, for some reason, the blockage is temporarily cleared, allowing the condensate to be discharged, and then the condensate again accumulates beyond the design capacity. This cycle is repeated.

[0041] When the steam trap 23a is clogged, a certain amount of condensate accumulates in the steam trap 23a, causing the temperature of the steam trap 23a to drop compared to normal. This in turn causes the temperature of the steam flowing into the condensate to drop. Furthermore, because the condensate is not discharged as expected, the steam pressure in the steam pipe 24 rises.

[0042] Next, an abnormality in the control valve 21a will be described. As described above, the control valve 21a is feedback-controlled by the equipment control unit 25 so that control parameters such as the temperature and pressure of steam in the steam usage section 22 are within desired ranges. However, the valves constituting the control valve 21a are mechanical valves such as globe valves and gate valves. Therefore, if the mechanical components constituting the control valve 21a deteriorate due to corrosion or wear, the control valve 21a may not be controlled as expected. For example, if corrosion occurs in the moving parts of the control valve 21a and its opening and closing operation does not proceed smoothly, the response of the actual valve opening or closing operation will be delayed when a signal representing a command to open or close the valve is received from the equipment control unit 25. As a result, the fluctuation range of the steam pressure in the steam pipe 24 will increase. Meanwhile, the steam temperature, both in terms of instantaneous value and fluctuation range, will not change significantly from the normal state.

[0043] [Monitoring Method According to the Present Embodiment] With the above-described typical abnormalities in mind, it is possible to detect whether an abnormality is currently occurring in the steam trap 23a and the control valve 21a, and signs of such an abnormality, based on the temperature and pressure of the steam flowing into the steam trap 23a. For this purpose, the monitoring system 1 continuously monitors the steam-using equipment 2, regardless of whether the steam-using equipment 2 is operating or stopped. In particular, the monitoring system 1 constantly monitors the temperature and pressure of the steam flowing into the steam trap 23a.

[0044] The calculation unit 12b generates a temperature and pressure trend graph 3 based on the current and historical values ​​of the detection signals from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b and the pressure sensor 11 input to the signal input unit 12a (FIGS. 3 to 8). Here, when the steam-using equipment 2 is operating normally, the temperature and pressure values ​​are maintained within a predetermined reference value range (an example of a predetermined reference). Therefore, both the temperature trend graph 31a and the pressure trend graph 32a depict nearly flat curves. In the trend graphs 3a (temperature trend graph 31a and pressure trend graph 32a) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the temperature is stable at around 180°C and the pressure is stable at around 0.9 MPa.

[0045] 5 and 6 show an example of trend graph 3 (trend graph 3b) when a clogging abnormality occurs in steam trap 23a. In temperature trend graph 31b (FIG. 5), it can be seen that the temperature began to gradually decrease around December 11th, dropping to around 160°C around December 16th. It can also be seen that the temperature fluctuation range after December 16th is larger than the temperature fluctuation range before December 11th. In addition, in pressure trend graph 32b (FIG. 6), it can be seen that the pressure began to gradually increase around December 11th, and the fluctuation range gradually became larger.

[0046] As described above, the behavior of the temperature and pressure observed from the trend graph 3b corresponds to the aforementioned behavior observed when a clogged abnormality occurs in the steam trap 23a. Therefore, the calculation unit 12b determines that a clogged abnormality (an example of an abnormality) has occurred in the steam trap 23a when both a decrease in the median and an increase in the amplitude of fluctuation (an example of deviation from a predetermined standard) are observed in the trend of the temperature detection values ​​from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b (an example of temperature statistical data obtained by statistically processing the temperature detection values) and a rise in the median and an increase in the amplitude of fluctuation (an example of deviation from a predetermined standard) are observed in the trend of the pressure detection values ​​from the pressure sensor 11 (an example of pressure statistical data obtained by statistically processing the pressure detection values). More specifically, predetermined reference value ranges are set for the median and amplitude of fluctuation of the temperature and pressure, and when both the temperature and the pressure deviate from the reference value ranges, the calculation unit 12b determines that a clogged abnormality has occurred or is indicating a symptom of an abnormality in the steam trap 23a.

[0047] 7 and 8 show an example of a trend graph 3 (trend graph 3c) when the control valve 21a becomes stuck due to corrosion. In the pressure trend graph 32c (FIG. 8), it can be seen that the pressure fluctuation range gradually increased from around December 16th. On the other hand, the temperature trend graph 31c (FIG. 7) shows almost constant behavior throughout the entire period shown.

[0048] As described above, the behavior of the temperature and pressure that can be seen from the trend graph 3c corresponds to the aforementioned behavior that is observed when the opening and closing operation of the control valve 21a is not performed smoothly. Therefore, the calculation unit 12b determines that an abnormality has occurred in the control valve 21a when an increase in the fluctuation range is observed in the trend of the pressure detection value by the pressure sensor 11 (an example of pressure statistical data obtained by statistically processing the pressure detection value) (an example of deviation from a predetermined standard), while the trend of the temperature detection value by the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b (an example of temperature statistical data obtained by statistically processing the temperature detection value) is approximately the same as in a normal state (an example of satisfaction of a predetermined standard). In this case, more specifically, predetermined reference value ranges are set for the median values ​​and fluctuation ranges of the temperature and pressure, and when only the pressure deviates from the reference value range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred or is a sign of an abnormality in the control valve 21a.

[0049] Conventionally, abnormalities in steam control equipment such as the steam trap 23a and the control valve 21a have been detected based on the detected physical quantities, such as the temperature and vibration, of the equipment itself, or on visual inspection. The monitoring system 1 of this embodiment is characterized by determining the occurrence or signs of abnormalities in the equipment based on the temperature and pressure of the steam flowing through the equipment, rather than on the physical quantities of the equipment itself. Because steam temperature and pressure fluctuate more sensitively than the physical quantities of the equipment itself, it is possible to detect signs of equipment abnormalities even when they are minor. In particular, the inventors discovered for the first time through extensive research that steam pressure responds to even extremely minor abnormalities.

[0050] Therefore, it is possible to preventively repair and inspect the equipment before the abnormality in the equipment becomes so serious that it becomes necessary to shut down the steam-using facility 2. This makes it possible to plan equipment maintenance work during planned shutdown periods associated with regular maintenance, etc., and maximize production opportunities using the steam-using facility 2.

[0051] [Other Embodiments] Finally, other embodiments of the monitoring system, monitoring method, and monitoring program according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can also be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the monitoring system 1 is configured to be capable of determining whether an abnormality has occurred or there is a sign of an abnormality related to the steam trap 23 a and the control valve 21 a. However, the monitoring system according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to be capable of determining only the occurrence or sign of an abnormality related to the steam trap.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the monitoring system 1 is configured to be able to determine whether an abnormality has occurred or whether there are signs of an abnormality related to the steam trap 23a based on the detection signal from the discharge-side steam temperature sensor 23b. However, the monitoring system according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to be able to determine whether an abnormality has occurred or whether there are signs of an abnormality related to the steam trap based on the detection signal from a trap temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the steam trap. That is, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the temperature sensor may be at least one of a trap temperature sensor and a steam temperature sensor.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the monitoring system 1 is configured to be able to determine the occurrence or signs of an abnormality related to the steam trap 23a and the control valve 21a based on trends in the detected temperature and pressure values. However, the monitoring system according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to be able to determine the occurrence or signs of an abnormality based on the detected temperature and pressure values ​​themselves. Furthermore, when using statistical temperature data and statistical pressure data obtained by statistically processing the detected temperature and pressure values, statistical data extracted by any method, such as standard deviation, mode, maximum value, and minimum value, may be used in addition to the trend, median, and amplitude described in the above embodiment. It is also possible to use the detected value itself for either the temperature or the pressure, and statistical data for the other.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the monitoring system 1 is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred or whether there are signs of an abnormality based on the temperature and pressure of the steam flowing into the steam trap 23a. However, the monitoring system according to the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and may additionally use any physical quantity related to the steam-using equipment being monitored as the basis for the determination. Examples of such physical quantities include, but are not limited to, the steam flow rate, the vibration of the steam trap, and the rotation speed of the steam-using equipment.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a specific example of trend graph 3 was shown to explain an example in which monitoring system 1 is configured to be able to determine whether an abnormality has occurred or there are signs of an abnormality related to steam trap 23a and control valve 21a based on trends in detected temperature and pressure values. However, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the information used to determine whether an abnormality has occurred or there are signs of an abnormality does not need to be in a format that is easy for a manager (human) to understand, such as trend graph 3 shown in Figures 3 to 8, and is not particularly limited as long as it is in a format that is suitable for calculation processing.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the monitoring system 1 is described as having a display unit 12f. However, the monitoring system is not limited to such a configuration, and the monitoring system according to the present invention does not need to have an input / output unit (user interface). However, if an input / output unit (user interface) is provided, it is preferable because it makes it easier for the administrator to grasp information and operate the monitoring system.

[0058] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the monitoring system 1 monitors one piece of steam-using equipment 2. However, the monitoring system 1 according to the present invention can monitor a plurality of pieces of steam-using equipment 2 simultaneously.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the steam supply system upstream of the steam supply unit 21 is not monitored by the monitoring system 1. However, the monitoring system 1 according to the present invention can monitor not only the steam-using equipment, but also the steam supply system that supplies steam to the steam-using equipment.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the steam trap 23a is described as having an automatic cleaning mechanism. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the steam trap provided in the steam-using equipment monitored by the monitoring system according to the present invention does not have to have an automatic cleaning mechanism. For example, if the steam trap has a manual cleaning mechanism that can remove blockages that have formed in the orifice portion by operation instead of an automatic cleaning mechanism, an operator who recognizes the occurrence or signs of an abnormality and receives instructions from a manager may operate the manual cleaning mechanism.

[0061] Regarding other configurations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

[0062] The present invention can be used to monitor steam-using equipment such as steam turbines, hot water production units, presses, autoclaves, reactors, heaters, and the like.

[0063] 1: Monitoring system 11: Pressure sensor 12: Monitoring control unit 12a: Signal input unit 12b: Calculation unit 12c: Abnormality notification unit 12d: Cleaning control unit 12e: Memory unit 12f: Display unit 2: Steam-using equipment 21: Steam supply unit 21a: Control valve 21b: Supply-side steam temperature sensor 22: Steam-using unit 22a: Steam-using equipment 23: Steam exhaust unit 23a: Steam trap 23b: Discharge-side steam temperature sensor 24: Steam piping 25: Equipment control unit 3: Trend graph 31: Temperature trend graph 32: Pressure trend graph

Claims

1. A monitoring system configured to monitor a steam-using facility that includes a steam supply unit that is supplied with steam, a steam-using unit that uses supplied steam, and a steam discharge unit that discharges steam after use, the monitoring system comprising: a temperature sensor that is a trap temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a steam trap provided in the steam discharge unit and / or a steam temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap; and a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap, wherein the monitoring system determines that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or a sign of the abnormality in the steam trap when (i) a temperature detection value obtained by the temperature sensor and / or statistical temperature data obtained by performing statistical processing on the temperature detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof and (ii) a pressure detection value obtained by the pressure sensor and / or statistical pressure data obtained by performing statistical processing on the pressure detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof, and the monitoring system determines that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or there is a sign of the abnormality in a steam supply valve that is provided in the steam supply unit when (i) the pressure detection value and / or the statistical pressure data deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof and (ii) the temperature detection value and the statistical temperature data satisfy predetermined criteria thereof .

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality notification unit that can notify a manager of the steam-using facility of occurrence of an abnormality when it is determined that there is an occurrence of the abnormality or there is a sign of the abnormality.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the steam trap includes an automatic cleaning mechanism that can automatically remove a clogging material generated in the steam trap, and the monitoring system operates the automatic cleaning mechanism upon determining that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or a sign of the abnormality in the steam trap.

4. A monitoring method for monitoring a steam-using facility that includes a steam supply unit that is supplied with steam, a steam-using unit that uses supplied steam, and a steam discharge unit that discharges steam after use, the monitoring method comprising: a temperature detection step of detecting a temperature of a steam trap provided in the steam discharge unit and / or a temperature of steam flowing into the steam trap; a pressure detection step of detecting a pressure of steam flowing into the steam trap; and a determination step of determining that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or a sign of the abnormality in the steam trap when (i) a temperature detection value obtained in the temperature detection step and / or statistical temperature data obtained by performing statistical processing on the temperature detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof and (ii) a pressure detection value obtained in the pressure detection step and / or statistical pressure data obtained by performing statistical processing on the pressure detection value deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof, and determining that there is an occurrence of an abnormality or there is a sign of the abnormality in a steam supply valve that is provided in the steam supply unit when (i) the pressure detection value and / or the statistical pressure data deviates from a predetermined criterion thereof and (ii) the temperature detection value and the statistical temperature data satisfy predetermined criteria thereof.

Images