Automatic water balance modeling and analysis for industrial water systems

Abstract

A computing device (102) constructs plant descriptions for a plurality of water units of a physical plant (110) and determines a water balance correlation based on the plant descriptions. Each water balance interrelation is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units. Each water balance correlation may be a water input or a water output. The computing device (102) constructs a water balance model (208) based on the water balance interrelation, receives the water consumption data from the physical plant (110), and analyzes the water consumption data using the water balance model (208). Analyzing the water usage data may include balancing water input and water output for each water unit according to the water usage data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to industrial water system management. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to automated water balance modeling and analysis for industrial water systems. Background Art

[0002] Many industrial facilities include one or more water systems, which may include water supplies, process components, wastewater management systems, and other water system components. Water managers often analyze water systems manually, such as by manually calculating water flow and / or water consumption for each component or subsystem of the water system. Due to the complex manual calculations required and / or a lack of monitoring data, many typical water systems remain unanalyzed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a computing device for analyzing the water balance of a physical plant is provided. The computing device includes a model builder and a water balance analyzer. The model builder is configured to construct a plant description of multiple water units of the physical plant, wherein the description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit, determine multiple water balance relationships based on the plant description, wherein each water balance relationship is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units, and construct a water balance model based on the multiple relationships. The water balance analyzer is configured to receive water usage data from the physical plant and analyze the water usage data using the water balance model.

[0004] In some aspects, each water balance relationship includes a water input or a water output. In some aspects, analyzing the water usage data includes balancing the water input and water output of each water unit based on the water usage data. In some aspects, each water input includes a new water input, a recycled water input, or a cascade water input. In some aspects, each water output includes a recycled water output, a cascade water output, a consumed water output, or a discharged water output.

[0005] In certain aspects, analyzing the water usage data includes determining a volume or flow rate of a first water balance interrelationship associated with a first water unit. In some aspects, analyzing the water usage data includes determining a volume or flow rate of a first water balance interrelationship for a plurality of water units.

[0006] In some aspects, each water unit comprises a water source, a water treatment unit, or a process component. In some aspects, each connection identifies a source water unit, a destination water unit, and a connection direction. In some aspects, determining the plurality of water balance relationships comprises determining the water balance relationships based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connections.

[0007] In some aspects, receiving the water usage data includes reading the water usage data from a database. In some aspects, the database includes data received from a programmable logic controller of the physical plant or a distributed control system of the physical plant.

[0008] In some aspects, the model builder is further configured to receive plant description data from a remote computing device.Constructing the plant description includes constructing the plant description based on the plant description data.

[0009] According to another aspect, a method for analyzing water balance of a physical plant is provided. The method includes constructing, by a computing device, a plant description of a plurality of water units of the physical plant, wherein the description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit; determining, by the computing device, a plurality of water balance interrelationships based on the plant description, wherein each water balance interrelationship is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units; constructing, by the computing device, a water balance model based on the plurality of interrelationships; receiving, by the computing device, water usage data from the physical plant; and analyzing, by the computing device, the water balance model using the water usage data.

[0010] In some aspects, each water balance relationship comprises a water input or a water output. In some aspects, analyzing the water usage data comprises balancing the water input and water output of each water unit based on the water usage data. In some aspects, each water input comprises a new water input, a recycled water input, or a cascade water input. In some aspects, each water output comprises a recycled water output, a cascade water output, a consumed water output, or a discharged water output.

[0011] In some aspects, analyzing the water usage data includes determining a volume or flow rate of a first water balance interrelationship associated with a first water unit. In certain aspects, analyzing the water usage data includes determining a volume or flow rate of a first water balance interrelationship for a plurality of water units.

[0012] In some aspects, each water unit comprises a water source, a water treatment unit, or a process component. In some aspects, each connection identifies a source water unit, a destination water unit, and a connection direction. In some aspects, determining the plurality of water balance interrelationships comprises determining the water balance interrelationships based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connections.

[0013] In some aspects, receiving the water usage data includes reading the water usage data from a database. In some aspects, the database includes data received from a programmable logic controller of the physical plant or a distributed control system of the physical plant.

[0014] In certain aspects, the method further includes receiving, by the computing device, plant description data from a remote computing device, wherein constructing the plant description includes constructing the plant description based on the plant description data.

[0015] The above has been a rather broad overview of the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure so that the following detailed description may be better understood. Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described below, which constitute the subject matter of the claims of this application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following describes specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a system for automated water balance modeling and analysis of industrial water systems;

[0018] Figure 2 Shows that it can be Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of an environment constructed by a computing device of a system;

[0019] Figure 3 Shows that it can be Figure 1 and Figure 2 A simplified flow chart of at least one embodiment of a method for automated water balance modeling and analysis performed by a computing device of

[0020] Figure 4 Shows that it can be Figure 1 and Figure 2 A simplified block diagram of an exemplary physical plant for system modeling;

[0021] Figure 5 Shown is an example Figure 4 A simplified table of water connections for an exemplary physical plant; and

[0022] Figure 6 shows that can be generated for Figure 4 and Figure 5 An exemplary water balance model of an exemplary physical plant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are generally referred to by similar numbers. By referring to the following specific description, the relationship and function of the various elements of the embodiment can be better understood. However, the embodiment is not strictly limited to those shown in the drawings or described below.

[0024] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the event of a conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0025] Examples of methods and materials are described below, but methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice or test the present disclosure. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other reference materials mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0026] In some cases, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried by or stored on one or more transient or non-transient machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be embodied as any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, media disk, or other media device) for storing or transmitting information in a machine-readable form.

[0027] See also Figure 1 , the illustrative system 100 includes a computing device 102 and a physical plant 110 having a water system 112. In use, as further described below, the computing device 102 receives or otherwise determines a description of the water units of the physical plant 110, which includes the connections between the various water units. Based on the description, the computing device 102 automatically characterizes the water balance interrelationships between the water units and generates a water balance model based on those interrelationships. The computing device 102 can use water monitoring data received from the physical plant 110 in conjunction with the water balance model to analyze the water use of the physical plant. Therefore, the system 100 can provide improved automatic modeling of the water use of the physical plant 110 without the need for extensive, time-consuming manual analysis. By providing improved analysis, the system 100 can improve water efficiency, reduce water waste, lower water costs, and otherwise improve the operation of the water system 112 at the physical plant 110.

[0028] The computing device 102 may be embodied as any type of device capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, the computing device 102 may be embodied as, but not limited to, a server, a rack server, a blade server, a workstation, a network appliance, a web appliance, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a consumer electronic device, a distributed computing system, a multi-processor system, and / or any other computing device capable of performing the functions described herein. Additionally, in some embodiments, the computing device 102 may be embodied as a distributed control system or other "virtual server" formed by multiple computing devices distributed across the network 108 and operating in a public or private cloud. Thus, although the computing device 102 is Figure 1 Although illustrated as embodied as a single computing device, it should be understood that computing device 102 may be embodied as multiple devices that work together to facilitate the functionality described below. Figure 1As shown, the exemplary computing device 102 includes a processor 120, an I / O subsystem 122, a memory 124, a data storage device 126, and a communication subsystem 128. Of course, in other embodiments, the computing device 102 may include other or additional components, such as those typically found in server computers (e.g., various input / output devices). In addition, in some embodiments, one or more of the exemplary components may be incorporated into another component or otherwise form part of another component. For example, in some embodiments, the memory 124 or a portion thereof may be incorporated into the processor 120.

[0029] The processor 120 may be embodied as any type of processor or computing engine capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, the processor may be embodied as a single-core or multi-core processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, or other processor or processing / control circuitry. Similarly, the memory 124 may be embodied as any type of volatile or non-volatile memory or data storage device capable of performing the functions described herein. In operation, the memory 124 may store various data and software used during operation of the computing device 102, such as an operating system, applications, programs, libraries, and drivers. The memory 124 is communicatively coupled to the processor 120 via an I / O subsystem 122, which may be embodied as circuits and / or components for facilitating input / output operations with the processor 120, the memory 124, and other components of the computing device 102. For example, I / O subsystem 122 may be embodied as or otherwise include a memory controller hub, an input / output control hub, firmware devices, communication links (i.e., point-to-point links, bus links, wires, cables, optical guides, printed circuit board traces, etc.), and / or other components and subsystems to facilitate input / output operations. In some embodiments, I / O subsystem 122 may form part of a system on a chip (SoC) and be combined on a single integrated circuit chip along with processor 120, memory 124, and other components of computing device 102.

[0030] The data storage device 126 may be embodied as any type of device or devices configured for short-term or long-term storage of data, such as, for example, memory devices and circuits, memory cards, hard drives, solid-state drives, or other data storage devices. The communication subsystem 128 of the computing device 102 may be embodied as any communication circuit, device, or collection thereof capable of enabling communication between the computing device 102, one or more client devices 104, the physical plant 110, and / or other remote devices. The communication subsystem 128 may be configured to communicate using any one or more communication technologies (e.g., wireless or wired communications) and associated protocols (e.g., Ethernet, WiMAX, 3G LTE, 5G, etc.) to achieve such communications.

[0031] Each client device 104 may be embodied as any type of computing or computer device capable of performing the functions described herein, including but not limited to a computer, workstation, server, rack-mount server, blade server, laptop, notebook computer, tablet computer, mobile computing device, wearable computing device, multi-processor system, network appliance, web appliance, distributed computing system, processor-based system, and / or consumer electronic device. Thus, each client device 104 includes components and devices typically found in a computer or similar computing device, such as a processor, I / O subsystem, memory, data storage device, and / or communication circuitry. The individual components of each client device 104 may be similar to the corresponding components of computing device 102, the description of which applies to the corresponding components of client devices 104 and is not repeated herein to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, each client device 104 may include one or more flow sensors, process sensors, or other devices capable of measuring and / or transmitting one or more process parameters or other data to computing device 102, similar to DCS 106 described further below.

[0032] The physical plant 110 can be embodied as a manufacturing facility, a thermal power plant, an agricultural facility, or other industrial or institutional location that includes a water system 112. The water system 112 includes a plurality of interconnected water units. Each water unit can include a process component, such as a boiler, an evaporator, a condenser, a cooling circuit, a cooling tower, or other process component. The water unit can include or otherwise be connected to one or more water sources, such as a municipal water source, an industrial water source, a deionized water source, a groundwater source, a rainwater source, or other water source. Similarly, the water unit can include or otherwise be connected to one or more drainage units, such as a wastewater treatment plant, a publicly operated sewage treatment plant, a wastewater discharge, a rainwater discharge, or other drainage units.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the physical plant 110 is also coupled to a distributed control system (DCS) 106. The DCS 106 includes one or more controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other devices for controlling electronic and electromechanical systems. Specifically, the DCS 106 is configured to monitor water flow, water usage, and other water usage data associated with a water system 112 of the physical plant 110. Thus, the DCS 106 may include one or more flow sensors or other water sensors coupled to the water system 112 or otherwise communicate with it. As further described below, in use, the computing device 102 may process water usage data generated by the DCS 106 and associated with the physical plant 110.

[0034] As discussed in greater detail below, computing device 102, client device 104, and DCS 106 can be configured to send and receive data to and from each other and / or other devices of system 100 via network 108. Network 108 can be embodied as any number of various wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 108 can be embodied as or otherwise include a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), a wired or wireless wide area network (WAN), a cellular network, and / or a publicly accessible global network such as the Internet. Thus, network 108 can include any number of additional devices, such as additional computers, routers, stations, and switches, to facilitate communication between devices of system 100.

[0035] Now see Figure 2 In an exemplary embodiment, computing device 102 establishes environment 200 during operation. Exemplary environment 200 includes model builder 202 and water balance analyzer 204. Various components of environment 200 may be embodied as hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more of the components of environment 200 may be embodied as a collection of circuits or electronic devices (e.g., model builder 202 circuitry and / or water balance analyzer circuitry 204). It should be understood that in such embodiments, one or more of those components may form part of processor 120, I / O subsystem 122, and / or other components of computing device 102.

[0036] Model builder 202 is configured to construct a plant description of multiple water units of physical plant 110. The plant description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit and can be stored as plant description data 206. Each water unit can be embodied as a water source, a water treatment unit, or a process component. Each connection can identify a source water unit, a destination water unit, and a connection direction. Model builder 202 is also configured to determine multiple water balance relationships based on the plant description. Each water balance relationship is associated with a connection, which in turn is associated with one or more water units. Each water balance relationship can include a water input or a water output. Each water input can include a new water input, a recycled water input, or a cascade water input. Each water output can include a recycled water output, a cascade water output, a consumed water output, or a discharged water output. Determining the multiple water balance relationships can include determining the water balance relationships based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connections. Model builder 202 is also configured to construct a water balance model 208 based on the multiple relationships. In some embodiments, the model builder 202 may also be configured to receive plant description data 206 from the remote computing device 104 , and constructing the plant description may include constructing the plant description based on the plant description data.

[0037] The water balance analyzer 204 is configured to receive water usage data 210 from the physical plant 110 and analyze the water usage data 210 using the water balance model 208. In some embodiments, analyzing the water usage data may include balancing the water input and water output of each water unit based on the water usage data. In some embodiments, analyzing the water usage data may include determining the volume or flow rate of a specific water balance relationship associated with a specific water unit. In some embodiments, analyzing the water usage data may include determining the volume or flow rate of a specific water balance relationship for all water units. In some embodiments, receiving the water usage data may include reading the water usage data from a database. The database may include data received from a programmable logic controller of the physical plant 110 or a distributed control system 106 of the physical plant 110.

[0038] Now see Figure 3 In use, the computing device 102 may execute the method 300 for automatic water balance modeling and analysis of the physical plant 110. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the operations of the method 300 may be performed by, for example, Figure 2 102 . The method 300 may be executed by one or more components of the environment 200 of the computing device 102 shown. The method 300 begins at block 302, where the computing device 102 constructs a plant description 206 for a plurality of water units of the physical plant 110. Each water unit may be a process component, such as a reaction vessel, boiler, cooling tower, cooling circuit, or other process component; a water production component, such as a deionized (DI) water system, a reverse osmosis (RO) system, or other water production component; a wastewater treatment component; and / or any other component or subcomponent of the physical plant 110 that uses, transports, or otherwise involves the use of water. The plant description data 206 for each water unit may include definitions of the connections (e.g., pipes, valves, and / or other water connections) between the water units and the type of each use and / or connection. For example, the plant description 206 may identify the water unit for the boiler, and the plant description 206 may also identify connections for blowdown and makeup water. In some embodiments, in block 304, the computing device 102 may receive the plant description data 206 from the client device 104. For example, the plant description 206 may be uploaded, edited, or otherwise entered by a plant manager or other user of the client device 104 and then transmitted to the computing device 102 via the network 108 .

[0039] In block 306, the computing device 102 automatically characterizes the water balance interrelationships for each water unit based on the plant description data 206. Determining the water balance interrelationships includes characterizing each connection between the water units as a water input or a water output. Water inputs may include new water, recycled water, recycle water, cascade water, series water, or other types of input water. Water outputs may include recycled water, cascade water, consumed water, discharged water, lost water, leaked water, or other types of output water. The computing device 102 may characterize each possible connection between the water units of the physical plant 110. The computing device 102 may automatically characterize the water balance interrelationships based on one or more predetermined rules associated with the water units.

[0040] In block 308, computing device 102 constructs water balance model 208 based on the determined water balance interrelationships. Water balance model 208 may include connections between water units in physical plant 110 and associated water balance interrelationships for each connection. As further described below, when performing a water balance analysis using water balance model 208, computing device 102 balances water input interrelationships with water output interrelationships. For example, computing device 102 may solve an equation that sets the sum of all water inputs to the sum of all water outputs.

[0041] In block 310, computing device 102 receives water usage data from physical plant 110. The water usage data may include water flow, volume, or other usage measurements associated with one or more water units, connections, or other components of water system 112 of physical plant 110. For example, the water usage data may include flow meter data for one or more pipes or other connections connected to a water unit. The water usage data may not include data for every water connection in physical plant 110. The water usage data may be received in real time and / or over a specific time period. In some embodiments, in block 312, computing device 102 may receive water usage data by reading data from plant monitoring database 210. Plant monitoring database 210 may include water usage data that originates or is otherwise derived from DCS 106, one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs) of physical plant 110, one or more flow sensors or other sensing devices of physical plant 110, and / or other components of physical plant 110. The water usage data may be parsed, formatted, and / or otherwise processed before being stored in plant monitoring database 210 and, therefore, may include water usage data generated from multiple sources and stored in a common format. For example, in some embodiments, water usage data may be received from DCS 106 and may be received directly (e.g., wirelessly) from one or more flow sensors and stored in a common format in plant monitoring database 210. Thus, computing device 102 may use water balance model 208 to perform water balance modeling for multiple different water usage data sources.

[0042] In block 314, the computing device 102 analyzes the water usage data, including the automatically determined water balance relationships described above, using the water balance model 208. The computing device 102 can solve the water balance equation by setting the water input of each water unit equal to the water output. Thus, the computing device 102 can identify the water usage of a particular water unit based on the available water usage data. The computing device 102 can also break down the water usage of each water unit into different categories, including new water for each water unit, recycled or otherwise reused water for each water unit, and / or consumed water for each water unit.

[0043] In some embodiments, computing device 102 may determine water usage for each water unit in block 316. In some embodiments, water usage may be determined as the sum of fresh water, recycled water, and cascade water input to the water unit. In some embodiments, water usage may also be determined as the sum of consumed water, drained water, and cascade water output from the water unit. As described above, water usage determined using both of these techniques should be equal.

[0044] In some embodiments, the computing device 102 may determine the aggregate usage of a particular water balance interrelationship among all water units in block 318. For example, the computing device 102 may determine new water used by all water units, cascade water used by all water units, recycled water used by all water units, water consumed by all water units, or other usage categories.

[0045] In some embodiments, computing device 102 may determine the aggregate usage of a particular water source or other water-producing unit in block 320. For example, computing device 102 may aggregate all outputs from a particular water unit (such as a DI system) relative to each other. Computing device 102 may then determine the amount of water output from that water unit that was ultimately consumed, discharged, reused, or recycled.

[0046] After analyzing the water usage data, the method 300 loops back to block 310 where the computing device 102 continues to receive and analyze the water usage data. Of course, in some embodiments, the computing device 102 may restart the method 300 to modify or otherwise regenerate the water balance model 108.

[0047] Now see Figure 4, Figure 400 illustrates a potential embodiment of a water system 112 for an entity plant 110 (such as a thermal power plant, manufacturing facility or other factory). Figure 400 illustrates a plurality of water units of the water system 112 and the various connections between these water units. As shown, the exemplary water system 112 is connected to an inlet 402, which can be embodied as a municipal water supply, surface water or other water supply. Water from the inlet 402 is supplied to a deionized (DI) water system 404 and a water softener system 406. The inlet 402 is also connected to a sanitary water system 408 and a cooling tower 418. Water from the DI system 404 is connected to a boiler 410 and a reactor 412. Water from the softener 406, the boiler 410 and the reactor 412 is connected to a treatment tower (column) 414. Water from the treatment tower 414 and the softener 406 is connected to a filter 416. Water from the sanitary system 408, the boiler 410 and the filter 416 is connected to a wastewater treatment plant 420. Treated water from wastewater treatment plant 420 is connected to treatment tower 414 and outlet 422 , which may be a sanitary sewer, combined sewer, a publicly operated sewage treatment plant, an outfall, or other outlet. Water from cooling tower 418 is connected directly to outlet 422 .

[0048] Now see Figure 5 , FIG500 illustrates an example of a method that can be based on Figure 4 One potential implementation of plant description data 206 generated by the illustrated physical plant 110. As shown, the plant description data 206 can be embodied as a table 502, a database, or other data structure. Each row 504 of the table 504, or other data item, describes a connection between water units. For example, the table 502 describes the connection between the DI system 404 and the boiler 410, the connection between the DI system 404 and the reactor 412, the connection between the boiler 410 and the wastewater treatment plant 420, and so on. Each row 504 also identifies the type or role of each water unit. For example, the table 502 identifies the DI system 404 and the softener system 406 as producing water; the boiler 410, the reactor 412, the treatment tower 414, and the filter 416 as using water; and the wastewater treatment plant 420 as treating water. The table 502 can include additional rows 504 to describe all connections in the water system 112 of the physical plant 110. For example, in a production environment, the water system 112 may include hundreds or thousands of connections between water units.

[0049] Now see Figure 6 , FIG600 illustrates that the Figure 4 The physical factory 110 and Figure 5One potential implementation of a water balance model 208 generated from the illustrated plant description data 206. As shown, the water balance model 208 can be embodied as a table 602, a database, or other data structure. Each row 604 or other data item in the table 602 includes a value similar to Figure 5 502 of the table 502. Row 604 also includes column 606, which describes the classification of the water balance relationships automatically determined as described above. Illustratively, the water balance relationships may include entry, discharge, cascade, and recirculation. Each relationship may be determined based on the type (e.g., manufacturing water, use water, treatment water, etc.) and connection direction of each water unit. For example, the connection from manufacturing water to use water may be classified as entry, the connection from manufacturing water or use water to treatment water may be classified as discharge, the connection from use water to use water may be classified as cascade, and the connection from treatment water to use water may be classified as recirculation.

[0050] As used herein, the term "controller" refers to a manual operator or an electronic device having components such as input or output protocols, a processor, a memory device, a digital storage medium, a communication interface including communication circuitry operable to support communications across any number of communication protocols and / or networks, a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface that may include a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, plasma display, touch screen or other monitor), and / or other components.

[0051] The controller is preferably configured to be integrated with one or more application specific integrated circuits, programs, computer executable instructions or algorithms, one or more hardwired devices, wireless devices, and / or one or more mechanical devices. In addition, the controller is configured to integrate the feedback, feedforward, and / or prediction loops of the present invention. Some or all of the controller system functions may be located in a central location, such as a network server, for communication via a local area network, a wide area network, a wireless network, an internet connection, a microwave link, an infrared link, a wired network (e.g., Ethernet), or the like. Additionally, other components, such as signal conditioners or system monitors, may be included to facilitate signal transmission and signal processing algorithms.

[0052] In certain aspects, the controller includes hierarchical logic to prioritize any measured or predicted characteristics associated with the system parameters. It should be understood that the purpose of such hierarchical logic is to allow improved control of the system parameters and avoid circular control loops.

[0053] As described above, the water system may include multiple sensors that can analyze water and transmit data about water to a controller. In certain embodiments, the water system is implemented so that multiple sensors provide continuous or intermittent feedback, feedforward, and / or prediction information to the controller, and the controller can forward this information to a relay (e.g., a Nalco global gateway), which can transmit the information to a remote device (e.g., a cell phone, a computer, and / or any other operator device that can receive cellular communication) via cellular communication. This remote device can interpret the information and automatically send a signal (e.g., an electronic instruction) back to the controller via a relay so that the controller makes some adjustments. Information can also be processed internally by the controller.

[0054] The sensors disclosed herein are used to sense and / or predict a characteristic associated with water or a system parameter and convert the characteristic into an input signal, such as an electrical signal, that can be transmitted to a controller. A transmitter associated with each sensor transmits the input signal to the controller. The controller is operable to receive the transmitted input signal, convert the received input signal into an input value, analyze the input value as described above, and in some embodiments, generate an output signal, such as an electrical signal, and transmit the output signal to a receiver, such as a remote device, such as a computer or cellular phone incorporating receiver capabilities.

[0055] The data transmission of the measured parameters or signals to a remote monitoring device (such as a computer or cell phone) or other system components is accomplished using any suitable means and across any number of wired and / or wireless networks, including, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, Ethernet, cable, digital subscriber line, Bluetooth, cellular technologies (e.g., 2G, 3G, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), GSM, Long Term Evolution (LTE), or more). The Nalco Global Gateway is an example of a suitable means. Any suitable interface standard may be used, such as an Ethernet interface, a wireless interface (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / x, 802.16, Bluetooth, optical, infrared, radio frequency, etc.), a universal serial bus, a telephone network, etc., and combinations of such interfaces / connections.

[0056] As used herein, the term "network" encompasses all of these data transmission methods. Any of the described devices (e.g., archiving systems, data analysis stations, data acquisition devices, process equipment, remote monitoring devices, etc.) can be connected to each other using the above or other suitable interfaces or connections.

[0057] In some embodiments, system parameter information is received from the system and archived. In certain embodiments, the system parameter information is processed according to a schedule or plan. In some embodiments, the system parameter information is processed immediately in real time or substantially real time. Such real-time receipt may include, for example, "streaming data" over a computer network.

[0058] All compositions and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be prepared and performed according to the present disclosure without undue experimentation. Although the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, specific preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein. This disclosure is an example of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the use of the term "one / kind" is intended to include "at least one" or "one or more". For example, "device" is intended to include "at least one device" or "one or more devices".

[0059] Any range given in absolute terms or in approximate terms is intended to encompass both, and any definition used herein is intended to be clarifying and not restrictive. Although the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present invention are approximate, the numerical values ​​set forth in the specific examples are reported as accurately as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains certain errors caused by the standard deviation found in its corresponding experimental measurement. In addition, all ranges disclosed herein are understood to encompass any and all subranges (including all fractional values ​​and overall values) contained therein.

[0060] Any composition disclosed herein may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any element, component, and / or ingredient disclosed herein, or any combination of two or more of the elements, components, or ingredients disclosed herein.

[0061] Any method disclosed herein may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any method step disclosed herein or any combination of two or more of the method steps disclosed herein.

[0062] The transitional phrase "comprising," which is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional unrecited elements, components, ingredients, and / or method steps.

[0063] The transitional phrase "consisting of" excludes any element, component, ingredient and / or method step not specified in the claim.

[0064] The transition phrase "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements, components, ingredients and / or steps, and to those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention.

[0065] In addition, the present invention encompasses any and all possible combinations of some or all of the various embodiments described herein. It should also be understood that various changes and modifications made to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without reducing its intended advantages. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing the water balance of a physical plant, the method comprising: constructing, by a computing device, a plant description of a plurality of water units of the physical plant, wherein the description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit; determining, by the computing device, a plurality of water balance correlations based on the plant description, wherein each water balance correlation is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units; The computing device constructs a water balance model based on the multiple relationships; the computing device receives water consumption data from the physical plant; as well as The water usage data is analyzed by the computing device using the water balance model.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each water balance correlation comprises water input or water output, and wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: The water input and the water output of each water unit are balanced according to the water usage data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein each water input comprises a fresh water input, a recycled water input, or a cascade water input.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each water output comprises a recirculated water output, a cascaded water output, a consumed water output, or a discharged water output.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: A volume or flow rate of a first water balance correlation associated with the first water unit is determined.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: The volumes or flow rates of a first water balance relationship of the plurality of water cells are determined.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each water unit comprises a water source, a water treatment unit or a process component.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein each connection identifies a source water unit, a destination water unit and a direction of the connection.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the plurality of water balance interrelationships comprises: A water balance relationship is determined based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connection.

10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein receiving the water usage data comprises: The water usage data is read from a database, wherein the database includes data received from a programmable logic controller of the physical plant or a distributed control system of the physical plant.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Plant description data is received by the computing device from a remote computing device, wherein constructing the plant description includes constructing the plant description based on the plant description data.

12. A computing device for analyzing the water balance of a physical plant, the computing device comprising: A model builder for: (i) constructing a plant description of a plurality of water units of the physical plant, wherein the description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit, (ii) determining a plurality of water balance relationships based on the plant description, wherein each water balance relationship is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units, and (iii) constructing a water balance model based on the plurality of relationships; and a water balance analyzer for: (i) receiving water usage data from the physical plant, and (iii) analyzing the water usage data using the water balance model.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein each water balance correlation comprises a water input or a water output, and wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: The water input and the water output of each water unit are balanced according to the water usage data.

14. The computing device of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: A volume or flow rate of a first water balance correlation associated with the first water unit is determined.

15. The computing device of any preceding claim, wherein each connection identifies a source water unit, a destination water unit, and a direction of the connection.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein determining the plurality of water balance interrelationships comprises: A water balance relationship is determined based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connection.

17. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in response to being executed, cause a computing device to: constructing a plant description of a plurality of water units of the physical plant, wherein the description includes a type and one or more connections associated with each water unit; determining a plurality of water balance correlations based on the plant description, wherein each water balance correlation is associated with a connection associated with one or more water units; constructing a water balance model based on the plurality of interrelationships; receiving water use data from the physical plant; as well as The water use data is analyzed using the water balance model.

18. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein each water balance correlation comprises a water input or a water output, and wherein analyzing the water usage data comprises: The water input and the water output of each water unit are balanced according to the water usage data.

19. One or more computer-readable storage media according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein each connection identifies a source water unit, a destination water unit, and a direction of the connection.

20. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 19, wherein determining the plurality of water balance interrelationships comprises: A water balance relationship is determined based on the source water unit, the destination water unit, and the connection direction of the associated connection.

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