Systems and methods for distributed control of multiple wellheads

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling the extraction of landfill gas flow (LFG) from multiple wellheads at a landfill. The system has a first wellhead located at the landfill, a first processor having a first rule set, and a first LFG flow control valve controllable by the first processor. A second wellhead is located at the landfill adjacent to the first wellhead and has a second processor and a second LFG flow control valve. The second processor has a second set of rules and is operable to control the second LFG flow control valve. The first and second processors use their said rule sets to control the first and second LFG flow control valves, respectively, to control the flow of LFG through said first and second wellheads, respectively.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application 62 / 024,661, filed July 15, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to wellheads commonly used at landfills for the recovery of gases and fluids, and more particularly to a distributed wellhead system and method by which each of a plurality of independent wellheads can be monitored performance, and coordinated consideration of the adjustments that a change in a particular wellhead may have on one or more other wellheads in a given area, with the goal of coordinated control on the basis of adjustments to all wellheads to optimize Collective performance of the wellhead. Background technique [0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. [0005] A landf...

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Problems solved by technology

Also, often technicians do not have easy access to intelligent information about real-time flow rates from other wellheads

Thus, there may be situations where a technician makes a small adjustment to a particular wellhead (e.g., Wellhead "A") in order to optimize LFG flow to that wellhead, but the adjustment actually results in a nearby (e.g., within a 500-foot radius) ) to one or more other wellheads B and C with reduced flow

And then, when the technician goes to wellhead B and makes adjustments to its flow valve, this change further ends up affecting the LFG flow at wellheads A and C

Thus, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to determine the flow valve settings for each of the wellheads that collectively optimize the overall LFG production of all wells

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