Method for monitoring a device for regulating gas flow and regulating system using said method

Abstract

A method for monitoring a device (1) for regulating the flow of gas, comprising a flow conduit (2) and a shutter assembly (3) defining a restriction (4) in the flow conduit (2). The method comprises the following operations: causing the gas to pass through the flow conduit (2); defining the corresponding duration (t 1 ...t n ) time interval sequence (Z 1 ...Z n ); at each time interval (Z i ), determine the density of the gas at the restriction (4) (d i ) and velocity (v i ) value; calculate the density (d i ) value, velocity (v i ), the time interval (Z i ) duration (t i ) and correction factor (k i ) to get the corresponding equivalent wear (u i ) values; for each time interval (Z i ), will be the current time interval (Z i ) and the preceding time interval (Z 1 ...Z i‑1 ) calculated for all equivalent wear (u 1 ... u i ) are added together to obtain the cumulative value (cu i ); will accumulate the value (cu i ) is compared with a predefined extreme value (cu*) corresponding to the maximum wear condition allowed for the closure assembly (3) to obtain an indication of the efficiency condition of the closure assembly (3).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a device regulating the flow of gas, in particular for a pressure reducer or for a flow control valve, of the type that can be used, for example, in networks for the distribution of compressed gas, in particular natural gas. [0002] The invention also relates to a regulating system employing the aforementioned method. Background technique [0003] As is known, natural gas is distributed to consumer installations through a suitable distribution network which keeps the delivery pressure to the consumer installations as constant as possible regardless of the supply pressure of the network and the flow rate provided. [0004] Delivery pressure is ensured to be maintained at a constant level by a regulating system, which may include pressure reducers positioned along the piping of the distribution network, which reduce the supply pressure of the network to the value required by the user's installations. In ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] A disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art is that the criteria establish the time interval between one maintenance operation and the next based on theoretical criteria without taking into account the actual operating history of each pressure reducer

[0014] Therefore, in many practical situations, the aforementioned criteria are found to be overly cautious and can lead to maintenance work being carried out while the pressure reducer is still fully functional and thus it can still ensure safe operation for a certain period of time

[0015] On the other hand, it is also possible that unusual heavy usage of the pressure regulator requires maintenance earlier than planned

[0016] In this case, the performance of the pressure regulator can deteriorate before maintenance work can be performed, resulting in a possible risk to system safety

[0017] Similar disadvantages apply to flow control valves, which also include closures commanded in such a way as to control gas flow

Images