Heat tracing monitoring system and heat tracing monitoring method

Abstract

The present invention provides a monitoring system comprising: a sensor which is provided in a pipe for connecting a demand end and a supply end of a fluid and which collects sensing information related to the pipe; a receiving unit which is connected to the sensor and which receives sensing information from the sensor; a control unit for outputting a temperature value of the fluid by using the sensing information through calibration; a heating cable which is provided in the pipe, and which heats the pipe on the basis of the temperature value of the fluid; an HMI module, which uses a graphic model related to a pipe system including a plurality of pipes, so as to display the temperature value of the fluid and a change, due to heating, in the temperature value of the fluid; and a display for outputting the graphic model. According to the present invention, the temperature of the fluid can be controlled using the heating cable through monitoring of heat tracing based on an optical fiber sensor.

Description

Heat tracing monitoring system and heat tracing monitoring method

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat tracing monitoring system and a heat tracing monitoring method, and more particularly, to a system for controlling heat tracing of a long-distance pipe and monitoring temperature changes, and a monitoring method using the same.

[0002] Heat tracing is the process of maintaining a constant temperature of a fluid inside a tank or pipe by exchanging heat loss through insulation. This heat tracing is applied to prevent freezing of pipes or tanks or to maintain the temperature of a fluid.

[0003] There are two main heat tracing methods: fluid circulation tracing and heat tracing (electric heat tracing). Steam tracing, a type of fluid circulation tracing, is widely used but suffers from the high costs of tracing system installation and maintenance. In contrast, heat tracing utilizes heating cables, allowing for optimal cable selection for each application area. It also offers the advantages of relatively low cost operation, ease of system design, and ease of control.

[0004] A complete heat tracing system requires other components in addition to the heating cable. These include the necessary power connections, branch connections, and termination devices.

[0005] Self-regulating heating cables, whose output automatically varies depending on the ambient temperature, use polymer composites with PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristics as their heating elements. These polymer composites are made by adding carbon black, which imparts electrical conductivity, to polymer resins. The composite material forming the heating element forms a conductive path between bus wires running parallel to the cable's length, allowing current to flow.

[0006] The number of conductive paths between the bus wires in a self-regulating heating cable varies with temperature. As the temperature around the cable decreases, the heating element microscopically contracts, creating numerous conductive paths between the bus wires and reducing resistance. Conversely, as the temperature increases, the heating element expands, reducing the number of conductive paths and increasing electrical resistance. This phenomenon is called the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) phenomenon, and it forms the fundamental operating principle of self-regulating heating cables.

[0007] When current flows through a heating element's conductive path, heat is generated by Joule heat, causing its temperature to rise. As the temperature rises, the heating element expands microscopically, increasing its electrical resistance and, as a result, automatically reducing the output of the heating cable.

[0008] On the other hand, despite the advantages of PTC elements, when PCT elements are used in heat tracing systems, there are cases where it is difficult to heat above a certain temperature due to the self-control principle, and the slow thermal change due to heating is cited as a disadvantage.

[0009] The invention of Publication No. 10-2022-0163264, which is a technology for measuring the temperature of a gas, relates to a semiconductor manufacturing device and a temperature control method, and the published temperature sensor is different from the configuration of the present invention in which the temperature sensor is installed on the surface of the pipe in that the temperature measuring part is placed inside the inner wall of the gas introduction pipe.

[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a heat tracing monitoring method and monitoring system that monitors heat tracing of a long-distance pipe using an optical fiber sensor and a heating cable that are separated from each other.

[0011] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a system and method for monitoring the temperature value of a fluid by correcting the temperature value of a pipe in heat tracing.

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a heat tracing monitoring method and monitoring system for a long-distance pipe having temperature measurement and temperature control functions.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, a heat tracing monitoring system is disclosed, including: a heat tracing monitoring device that receives a temperature value of a pipe from a temperature measuring device and outputs a temperature value of a fluid flowing in the pipe using the temperature value of the pipe through calibration; a temperature measuring device that outputs and transmits the temperature value of the pipe using a temperature sensor installed in a pipe connecting a fluid supply end that supplies the fluid and a fluid demand end that uses the fluid; and a heat tracing device that is provided with a heating cable installed in the pipe and heats the pipe using the heating cable, wherein the heat tracing monitoring device controls the operation of the heat tracing device based on the temperature value of the fluid, and is configured to display changes in the temperature value of the pipe, the temperature value of the fluid, and the temperature value of the fluid heated by the heat tracing device using a graphic model of a piping system including a plurality of pipes.

[0014] In addition, the heat tracing monitoring system may be configured to include a human-machine interface (HMI) module that displays a temperature value of a fluid and a change in the temperature value of the fluid due to heating using a graphic model of a piping system including a plurality of pipes; and a display that outputs the graphic model.

[0015] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system may be configured such that the temperature sensor includes an optical fiber sensor.

[0016] In addition, the heat tracing monitoring system can be configured so that the temperature measuring device outputs the temperature value of the pipe and the location information regarding the temperature measuring point of the pipe using the sensing information received from the optical fiber sensor.

[0017] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system may be configured such that the optical fiber sensor scatters a laser light of a specific wavelength incident on the sensor at a predetermined location based on a Raman optical time domain reflectometer (ROTDR) and outputs scattered light to be used for temperature and location measurement of the pipe.

[0018] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system may be configured such that the heating cable is installed in a sub-section within the entire section between the fluid supply end and the fluid demand end, in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, parallel to the pipe and in contact with the pipe.

[0019] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system may be configured such that the temperature sensor is installed parallel to the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe in the sub-section and in contact with the pipe.

[0020] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system can be configured so that the temperature sensor and the heating cable are installed at maximum distance from each other in the sub-section.

[0021] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system can be configured such that the temperature sensor and the heating cable are installed such that the temperature sensor and the heating cable cross each other at points between pre-designated sub-sections.

[0022] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring system further includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected to the heat tracing device, and the heat tracing monitoring device can be configured to control heating of the heating cable through the PLC.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, a heat tracing monitoring method is disclosed, which is configured to include a step of configuring a graphical model of a piping system including at least one pipe, a step of outputting a temperature value of the pipe and a temperature value of a fluid flowing in the pipe using a temperature sensor installed in the pipe, and a step of displaying at least one of the temperature value of the pipe and the temperature value of the fluid using a graphical user interface (GUI) of the graphical model.

[0024] Additionally, the heat tracing monitoring method may be configured to further include a step of controlling the operation of a heating cable installed in a pipe based on a temperature value of the fluid.

[0025] In addition, the heat tracing monitoring method may be configured to further include a step of displaying in real time a change in the temperature value of a fluid heated by a heating cable.

[0026] In addition, the heat tracing monitoring method may be configured such that the step of outputting the temperature value of the fluid flowing in the pipe includes the step of pre-storing fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information; the step of measuring the temperature value of the pipe using a temperature sensor; and the step of correcting the temperature value of the pipe using the temperature value of the pipe, the fluid information, the pipe information, and the environmental information.

[0027] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the “Specific Details for Carrying Out the Invention” and the attached “Drawings.”

[0028] The advantages and / or features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to the various embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of each embodiment disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and each embodiment disclosed in this specification is provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains of the scope of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention is defined only by the scope of each claim of the claims.

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the temperature value of a pipe without error using a temperature sensor installed separately from a heating cable.

[0031] Additionally, temperature control of the fluid is possible using a heating cable installed separately from the optical fiber sensor.

[0032] Additionally, it is possible to monitor the temperature value of the fluid based on the temperature value of the pipe measured using an optical fiber sensor.

[0033] Additionally, it is possible to correct the temperature value of a pipe measured by an optical fiber sensor using the specific heat, specific gravity, and latent heat of the fluid.

[0034] In addition, by using optical fiber sensors and heating cables that are installed separately from each other in the pipe but intersect at some points, it is possible to compare the temperature values ​​of the pipe measured at the separately installed section and the intersecting points.

[0035] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a heat tracing monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is an example diagram for explaining the scattering of light incident on an optical fiber.

[0037] Figure 3 is an example diagram to explain the types of light scattering.

[0038] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a heat tracing monitoring device included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 5 is an example diagram of a heating cable included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Figure 3.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of the heating cable of Fig. 3.

[0041] Fig. 7 is an example diagram of a temperature sensor included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Fig. 3.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe in which a temperature sensor and a heating cable included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Fig. 3 are installed.

[0043] Fig. 9 is an example diagram of a temperature sensor installed in the pipe of Fig. 8.

[0044] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a heat tracing monitoring method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 11 is a flowchart of S120 of Figure 10.

[0046] Figure 12 is an example of a GUI of a graphic model according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 13 is an example of temperature changes at intersections and subsections on a pipe where a temperature sensor and a heating cable are installed.

[0048] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the terms or words used in this specification should not be interpreted as being unconditionally limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and that the inventor of the present invention may appropriately define and use the concepts of various terms in order to explain his or her invention in the best possible manner, and further, that these terms or words should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0049] That is, it should be noted that the terms used in this specification are only used to describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to specifically limit the contents of the present invention, and that these terms are defined in consideration of various possibilities of the present invention.

[0050] Additionally, it should be noted that in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, and similarly, even if expressed in plural, may include a singular meaning.

[0051] Throughout this specification, whenever a component is described as "including" another component, it may mean that the component may further include any other component, rather than excluding any other component, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0052] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "inside or connected to" another component, it should be understood that the component may be installed in direct connection with or in contact with the other component, may be installed spaced apart from the other component by a certain distance, and if installed spaced apart from the other component by a certain distance, there may be a third component or means for fixing or connecting the component to the other component, and the description of this third component or means may be omitted.

[0053] On the other hand, if a component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no third component or means exists.

[0054] Likewise, other expressions that describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "directly between", or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to", should be interpreted as having the same meaning.

[0055] Additionally, it should be noted that the terms “one side,” “the other side,” “one side,” “the other side,” “first,” “second,” etc. in this specification, if used, are used to clearly distinguish one component from another component, and that the meaning of the component is not limited by such terms.

[0056] In addition, terms related to position, such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” etc., in this specification, if used, should be understood to indicate relative positions of the corresponding components in the corresponding drawings, and unless absolute positions are specified for these positions, these position-related terms should not be understood to refer to absolute positions.

[0057] In addition, in this specification, when specifying the drawing numbers for each component of each drawing, the same component has the same drawing number even if the component is shown in a different drawing, that is, the same reference number indicates the same component throughout the specification.

[0058] In the drawings attached to this specification, the size, position, connection relationship, etc. of each component constituting the present invention may be described with some exaggeration, reduction, or omission in order to sufficiently clearly convey the idea of ​​the present invention or for convenience of explanation, and therefore the proportions or scales may not be strict.

[0059] In addition, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of a configuration that is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, for example, a known technology including a prior art, may be omitted.

[0060] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the relevant drawings.

[0061] A heat tracing monitoring system (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a heat tracing monitoring device (100) that controls a function for monitoring the temperature of a fluid using an HMI (human-machine interface), controls a heating function of a long-distance pipe using a heating cable, controls an alarm function such as setting, operating, and releasing an alarm while monitoring the temperature of the fluid, and controls learning, testing, and operating an artificial intelligence model trained through learning a data set required for correcting the temperature value of the pipe.

[0062] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a heat tracing monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 1, a heat tracing monitoring system (10) may be configured to include a heat tracing monitoring device (100), a temperature measuring device (200), a heat tracing device (300), and a gas controller (400).

[0064] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) has a function of predicting the temperature value of a fluid based on the temperature value of a pipe and displaying it to a user, and controlling the heat tracing device (300) to maintain the temperature value of the fluid higher than a threshold value at which a phase change occurs. The heat tracing monitoring device (100) may include an input device (120) and an output device (130).

[0065] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) may be implemented using, for example, a computer. The heat tracing monitoring device (100) may be implemented as a single computer or as a collection of computers each performing the functions listed above.

[0066] Pipes have the function of transporting fluids, such as special gases used in semiconductor processes. Lines A to E depicted in Figure 1 correspond to symbols used to distinguish channels transporting special gases. Each channel corresponds to a pipe, and a temperature sensor (210) and a heating cable (310) may be installed in the pipe.

[0067] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) can be connected to the temperature measuring device (200) and the heat tracing device (300) via Ethernet.

[0068] The temperature measuring device (200) has a function of measuring the temperature of a pipe using a temperature sensor (210) installed in the pipe. The temperature sensor (210) can be installed in the pipe of a channel indicated as Line A to Line E in FIG. 3 as an example.

[0069] The temperature measuring device (200) may be configured to include a temperature sensor (210) and a temperature sensor controller (220). The temperature sensor (210) has a function of transmitting laser light and receiving scattered light. The temperature sensor controller (220) can collect temperature information of a pipe, i.e., a temperature value of the pipe, and location information about a location where the temperature information of the pipe is collected, i.e., distance information about a distance between the temperature sensor controller (220) and a temperature measuring target, by analyzing the characteristics of the scattered light.

[0070] The heat tracing device (300) has a function of maintaining the temperature of a fluid by using a heating cable (310) installed in a pipe of a channel indicated by Line A to Line E. The heat tracing device (300) may be configured to include a heating cable (310) and a heating cable controller (320).

[0071] The heating cable controller (320) can apply heat to the fluid by controlling the on / off of the heating cable (310) to maintain the temperature value of the fluid higher than the threshold at which a phase change occurs.

[0072] The heating cable controller (320) can be connected to the temperature sensor controller (220) to enable serial communication using the Ethernet Modbus (610) protocol. Therefore, the heating cable controller (320) can be automatically controlled based on the output of the temperature sensor controller (220). That is, the heating cable controller (320) can control the operation of the heating cable (310) based on the temperature value of the pipe collected by the temperature measuring device (200) or the temperature value of the fluid output by the heat tracing monitoring device (100).

[0073] The temperature sensor (210) and heating cable (310) may be installed in a piping system, for example, multiple long-distance piping systems transporting semiconductor special gases. The configuration of the temperature sensor (210) and heating cable (310) and their installation in the piping will be described later.

[0074] The gas controller (400) has a function of controlling the flow of gas corresponding to the fluid flowing in the pipe and measuring the pressure of the gas. That is, the gas controller (400) can measure the pressure of the gas flowing in the pipe, for example, using a pressure sensor (not shown) installed in the pipe, and has a function of controlling the amount of the fluid using a fluid control valve (not shown).

[0075] The gas controller (400) has a function of controlling various electronic valves installed in long-distance pipes. The gas controller (400) can be connected to the heat tracing monitoring device (100) via serial or Ethernet using a PLC or the like. That is, the gas controller (400) has a function of controlling the supply of gas supplied through the pipes, for example, special gases used in semiconductor processes, by controlling electronic devices such as air valves and solenoid valves.

[0076] The user terminal (500) is a client that uses the heat tracing monitoring device (100) as a server and can be connected to the heat tracing monitoring device (100) through a network (600).

[0077] The user terminal (500) can be implemented in the form of a PC or mobile terminal. A user can access the heat tracing monitoring device (100) via a web browser using a PC or a personal mobile terminal.

[0078] The user can also monitor the condition of the pipe by using the display and user terminal (500), which are output devices (130) connected to the heat tracing monitoring device (100). The heat tracing device (300) can basically operate automatically, and additionally, the user can directly control the operation of the heat tracing device (300) through the heat tracing monitoring device (100) and the user terminal (500).

[0079] Long-distance pipelines may be equipped with recovery points according to the type of gas. Each pipeline may be equipped with a temperature sensor (210), a heating cable (310), and a gas controller (400). That is, a plurality of temperature measuring devices (200), heat tracing devices (300), and gas controllers (400) may be configured according to the number of pipelines. For example, Lines A to C may be equipped for NH3 gas, and a temperature measuring device (200) and a heat tracing device (300) may be assigned thereto, and each line may constitute an independent channel. Lines D and E may be equipped for CO2 gas, and a temperature measuring device (200) and a heat tracing device (300) may be assigned thereto, and similarly, each line may constitute an independent channel.

[0080] The network (600) may be any suitable communication network, including wired and wireless networks, such as serial communications, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, and an extranet, and mobile networks, such as cellular, 3G, LTE, WiFi networks, ad hoc networks, and combinations thereof.

[0081] The network (600) may include a connection of network elements such as hubs, bridges, routers, switches, and gateways. The network (600) may include one or more connected networks, such as a multi-network environment, including a public network such as the Internet and a private network such as a secure corporate private network. Access to the network (600) may be provided via one or more wired or wireless access networks.

[0082] Optical fiber sensors utilize the optical fiber itself as a sensor. Their advantages include requiring no power and being able to measure without being affected by electromagnetic induction. Attempts to use optical fibers as sensors began in the 1970s, and many types of optical fiber sensors are currently in use.

[0083] In particular, distributed temperature measuring devices are generally called DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensors) and were commercialized and commercialized in the late 1980s. They are devices that use optical fiber sensors and have a long history and are used in many industrial fields.

[0084] DTS is also called Raman Optical Time Domain Reflectometer.

[0085] Because Raman scattered light is approximately three orders of magnitude weaker than Rayleigh scattered light, even using a multimode optical fiber with high scattering efficiency, a high-power light source is essential. For long-distance measurements, lasers were initially used, but recently, semiconductor lasers and fiber amplifiers (erbium-doped fiber amplifiers) have become the standard.

[0086] When a pulse of light is incident on an optical fiber, the light pulse propagates within the fiber. As it propagates, the light pulse is scattered and attenuated, albeit in extremely small amounts, at various points along the fiber. Most of this scattered light, called Rayleigh scattered light, is caused by minute fluctuations in the refractive index within the optical fiber and has the same wavelength as the incident light.

[0087] In scattered light, the lattice vibrations of the quartz molecules in the optical fiber and energy exchange occur, resulting in a slight shift in the wavelength of the incident light. This is called Raman scattered light.

[0088] Figure 2 is an example diagram for explaining the scattering of light incident on an optical fiber.

[0089] Referring to Figure 2, a single wavelength (λ laser ) When laser light collides with a molecule, three types of scattering occur. The three types of scattering occur at different frequencies and are described as Rayleigh Scattering, which corresponds to scattering at the same wavelength as the incident light; Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering, which corresponds to scattering at a wavelength smaller than the incident light; and Stokes Raman Scattering, which corresponds to scattering at a wavelength larger than the incident light.

[0090] Figure 3 is an example diagram to explain the types of light scattering.

[0091] Referring to Figure 3, the frequency ranges of Rayleigh scattering, Brillouin Stokes, Brillouin Anti-Stokes, Raman Stokes, and Raman Anti-Stokes scattering are depicted.

[0092] Raman scattered light has two components: Stokes light, which is light that energizes lattice vibrations and shifts toward longer wavelengths, and anti-Stokes light. In particular, the intensity of anti-Stokes light varies significantly depending on the temperature of the optical fiber at the location where scattering occurs. Therefore, measuring the intensity of Raman scattered light can provide temperature information at the location where the light originated.

[0093] Most of the light scattered within an optical fiber is emitted outside the fiber, but some travels backwards through the fiber, returning to the incident end. By measuring the time it takes for the scattered light to return to the incident end after the pulsed light is incident, the propagation speed within the optical fiber can be known, allowing information on the location where the scattered light originated. Combining this location information with temperature information allows the temperature distribution along the entire length of the optical fiber to be measured.

[0094] The temperature sensor (210) provided in the heat tracing monitoring system (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an optical fiber sensor. The optical fiber sensor can be used to measure the temperature of electric heat tracing that utilizes thermal energy. The optical fiber sensor scatters incident laser light of a specific wavelength at regular intervals and outputs scattered light that can be used to measure the temperature and position of a pipe.

[0095] The material of the optical fiber sensor can be glass optical fiber or plastic optical fiber.

[0096] A temperature sensor (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including an optical fiber having a function of measuring temperature using Raman anti-Stokes radiation. In addition to monitoring the temperature of a fluid using the temperature sensor, heat tracing, which applies heat to a pipe to increase the temperature of a low-temperature fluid, is required.

[0097] The temperature measuring device (200) is a distributed temperature measuring device (DTS) that measures the temperature of a pipe. It uses a temperature sensor (210), for example, an optical fiber sensor, to sense the temperature of a long-distance pipe and outputs location information and sensing information of the measurement point.

[0098] The temperature measuring device (200) can be configured to include a light source unit, a receiving unit, a signal processing unit, a temperature measuring unit, and a position measuring unit.

[0099] Since the speed of light within the optical fiber, which is the temperature sensor (210), is known, the location where the scattered light occurred can be calculated by measuring the time it takes for the scattered light to return. Among the scattered and returned optical signals, there is Raman scattered light whose amplitude varies depending on the temperature, and the absolute temperature of the optical fiber can be calculated by measuring the ratio of the wavelengths of the incident light and the scattered light. Rayleigh scattered light = 1 / 1000 of the input light, and Stokes light and anti-Stokes light = 1 / 1000 of the Rayleigh scattered light.

[0100] In the case of a temperature measuring device (200), since the response distance is more than 1 m, it may not be suitable for detecting the temperature of a part that is locally heated or has a temperature rise. However, if an optical fiber is bundled in a coil shape in advance, the drawback of a long response distance can be compensated for and construction can be performed. The heating cable (310) will be described below.

[0101] A heating cable (310) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a parallel heater that is connected to a mother wire in a zigzag manner at a certain section using a nichrome heating wire or a spiral, and forms a constant (1 m) heating section, so that a constant power can be generated within each section regardless of where it is cut.

[0102] The heating cable (310) may be configured to include a thermal wire used for heating long-distance pipes.

[0103] The heating cable controller (320) has a function of automatically controlling the turning on and turning off operations of the heating cable (310) based on the temperature information of the fluid. The heat tracing monitoring device (100) can control the heating cable controller (320) using a device such as a PLC device.

[0104] The heating cable (310) is sized according to the voltage and power used, and can be manufactured to accommodate various voltages and powers by adjusting the resistance value.

[0105] In addition, the heat tracing monitoring system (10) may be configured to include one or more sensors that perform different functions not depicted in FIG. 1. The sensors may include a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of a fluid within a long-distance pipe, an external temperature sensor that measures the external temperature of the long-distance pipe, for example, the indoor and outdoor air temperatures in which the long-distance pipe is installed, and the temperature of the underground where the long-distance pipe is buried.

[0106] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a heat tracing monitoring device included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Figure 3.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 4, a heat tracing monitoring device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a control unit (110), an input device (120), an output device (130), a storage device (140), a communication device (150), and a memory (160).

[0108]

[0109] The control unit (110) may be implemented in the form of a processor and has a function of controlling the basic operations of an input device (120), an output device (130), a storage device (140), a communication device (150), and a memory (160). In addition, the control unit (110) may control the operations of an HMI module (161), a temperature prediction module (162), a heat tracing module (163), an alarm module (164), and an artificial intelligence model (165), which may be implemented in the form of hardware or software, in relation to the execution of the heat tracing monitoring method.

[0110] For example, the control unit (110) can control the HMI module to display sensing information, such as temperature values ​​and location information, regarding the fluid supplied through the pipe. That is, the control unit (110) can control the HMI module (161) to display location information and temperature values ​​of a sensing point together using a virtual graphic model that resembles an actual piping system.

[0111] The input device (120) may include a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, etc. that receive input from a user. The input device (120) may receive data required for environmental settings regarding a graphic model.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the heat tracing monitoring device (100) may include a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen as input devices (120), and a display (131) and a speaker (132) as output devices (130).

[0113] The display (131) uses a virtual graphic model created to resemble an actual piping system to display the temperature value and the change in temperature value of the fluid flowing in the pipe in real time, and has a function to visually display the risk of a change in the state of the fluid.

[0114] The speaker (132) has a function of outputting the risk of a change in the state of the fluid in the pipe as sound.

[0115] The storage device (140) can store various information and data, fluid information including the type of fluid, specific heat, specific gravity, and latent heat, piping information regarding the material of the piping, the environment in which the piping is installed, temperature information of the environment according to the season, and phase equilibrium data regarding the fluid. In this case, the control unit (110) can control the HMI module (161) to display the risk of phase change of the fluid in stages based on the phase equilibrium data of the fluid and the temperature value of the fluid.

[0116] The communication device (150) can receive sensing information about the pipe from at least one sensor installed in the pipe. In addition, the communication device (150) can be configured to receive location information about a temperature measurement point of the pipe and a temperature value of the pipe from a temperature measuring device (200). The communication device (150) can be configured to receive pressure information of a fluid within the pipe from a pressure sensor installed in the pipe through a gas controller (400). The communication device (150) has a function of receiving a temperature value of the environment in which the pipe is installed from an external temperature sensor installed according to the exposure type of the pipe.

[0117] The memory (160) can store, i.e., load, an HMI module (161), a temperature prediction module (162), a heat tracing module (163), an alarm module (164), and an artificial intelligence model (165) implemented in the form of a program.

[0118] The HMI module (161) displays the temperature value of a fluid using a graphic model of a piping system equipped with multiple long-distance pipes. The HMI module (161) can implement a graphic model of a virtual piping system that represents actual piping using the editing function of CAD.

[0119] The temperature prediction module (162) has a function of correcting the temperature value of the pipe to be closer to the actual temperature value of the fluid based on the temperature value of the pipe. The speed at which the heat generated from the heating cable (310) is transferred to the fluid through the pipe (P) may be influenced by fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information.

[0120] In other words, the difference between the temperature of the pipe and the temperature of the fluid can be greater in cases where the molecular weight of the fluid is small as fluid information, the thermal conductivity of the pipe is high as pipe information, and the convection speed of the fluid is slow due to the large molecular weight of the fluid, the thermal conductivity of the pipe is low, and the external temperature is low, that is, the environment where the pipe is installed is outdoors in the winter, compared to the case where the fluid is installed outdoors in the summer as environmental information. Here, the molecular weight of the fluid is also related to the specific heat, specific gravity, and latent heat of the fluid.

[0121] The correction between the temperature value of the pipe and the actual temperature value of the fluid can be performed based on the thermodynamic equation and an experiment using the fluid information such as the molecular weight of the fluid, the pipe information regarding the material of the pipe, and the temperature information of the environment in which the pipe is installed according to the season, which are collected in advance. In addition, when an artificial intelligence model is used, when the artificial intelligence model is trained using learning data including the temperature value of the pipe in different fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information, and the amount of electric energy transmitted to the pipe by the heating cable (310), the artificial intelligence model can predict a temperature value close to the actual temperature value of the fluid based on the temperature value of the pipe according to the fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information based on the learning.

[0122] The heat tracing module (163) operates the heat tracing device (300) to maintain the state of the fluid supplied through the pipe. The heat tracing module (163) may be configured to control the operation of independently installed heating cables (310) depending on the exposed form of the pipe. For example, the pipe may be installed in an underground section, an above-ground indoor section, and an above-ground outdoor section.

[0123] The heating cable (310) can be individually installed in sections of the pipe with similar temperature distributions, such as underground sections, above-ground indoor sections, and above-ground outdoor sections. The control unit (110) of the heat tracing monitoring device (100) can control the operation of the heat tracing device (300) through the heat tracing module (163). That is, the heating cable controller (320) can control the operation of the heating cable (310) according to the command of the heat tracing monitoring device (100).

[0124] The heat tracing module (163) may be configured to control the operation of the installed heater by distinguishing between pipes buried underground, pipes exposed to air, pipes installed indoors, and pipes installed outdoors. In this case, the control unit (110) may be configured to control the heater turn-on operation of the heat tracing module (163) based on the temperature change of the pipe, but using the pressure change of the material within the pipe, which is measured before the temperature change of the pipe.

[0125] The heat tracing module (163) can be configured to drive the heating cable (310) using a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0126] The alarm module (164) has a function of notifying, through at least one of visual and auditory methods, when the risk of a phase change of a substance reaches a high level based on sensing information, such as temperature and pressure information of the substance and phase equilibrium data of the substance. Substances in the pipe, such as ammonia or carbon dioxide, exist as gases at room temperature, but when the temperature of the gas drops below a critical temperature at a certain pressure depending on the distribution of the triple point, it sublimates or liquefies, and such phase changes must be prevented in advance to ensure a smooth supply of gas.

[0127] The artificial intelligence model (165) corresponds to a predictive model trained through learning about the relationship between external temperature and pipe temperature using previously collected big data. The control unit (110) can be configured to predict the risk of a material phase change in advance based on external temperature information of the pipe using the artificial intelligence model trained through learning using a dataset regarding the correlation between external temperature and pipe temperature collected in the past.

[0128] SCADA, or Supervisory Control, Data Acquisition, is a system for centralized monitoring and control of remote facilities. It simplifies and automates diverse and complex facilities, effectively monitoring, controlling, measuring, analyzing, and processing these facilities and systems in a central location, enabling rational operation of facilities and systems and efficient energy management.

[0129] The HMI module (161) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an HMI module used in a SCADA system. In this case, the heat tracing monitoring system (10) may be included in the SCADA system or configured to be linked with the SCADA system. Accordingly, the heat tracing monitoring method (S100) and the heat tracing monitoring system (10) may be configured to be performed within the SCADA system and control the heating cable (310) based thereon.

[0130]

[0131] FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a heating cable according to the first embodiment included in the heat tracing monitoring system of FIG. 1.

[0132] Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of the heating cable of Fig. 3.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 5, a heating cable (310) may be configured to include a pair of wires (311), a primary insulating material (312), a heating wire (313), a secondary insulating material (314), a shield (315), a final outer covering (316), and a connecting contact (318).

[0134] The heating cable (310) corresponds to a parallel electric heater utilizing resistance. Terminals are formed at one end of a pair of copper bus lines (311), and the terminals can be connected to a power terminal via a connector. The opposite poles of the other ends of the bus lines (311) form a closed circuit. Either line of the pair of bus lines can be grounded.

[0135] Two busbars (311) made of tin-plated copper wire (diameter 1.25 mm) are arranged in parallel, and a resistance element of a metal alloy, for example, a nickel chromium heating element, is wound in a spiral shape around the primary insulated parallel busbar (311) and alternately contacts the parallel copper wires at regular intervals, for example, 1 m apart.

[0136] The heating cable (310) is a parallel heater in which nichrome heating wires are connected to the base wire in a zigzag manner in a spiral shape at certain sections, forming a constant (1 m) heating section. Regardless of which section of the heating cable (310) is cut, a constant power is consumed within each section. The heating cable (310) is sized according to the operating voltage and power. The heating cable (310) can be manufactured to be used with various voltages and powers by adjusting the resistance of the heating wire (313).

[0137] The heating wire (313) can be made of a nickel-chromium alloy and is characterized by excellent durability. The heating cable (310) includes a primary insulating material and a secondary insulating material (314) made of silicone rubber with excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, oil resistance, flame retardancy, and electrical properties, thereby providing stability and flexibility compared to other heaters.

[0138] Referring to Fig. 6, the mother wire (311) and the heating wire (313) are electrically connected to each other at the connecting contact (318). Therefore, a non-heating section (a) and a heating section (b) appear alternately in the heating wire (313).

[0139] Referring again to FIG. 5, the primary insulating material (312) may be implemented as silicone rubber or the like that insulates between the mother wire (311) and the heating wire (323).

[0140] The heating wire (313) has the function of converting the electric energy supplied by the mother wire (311) into thermal energy. The heating wire (313) can be implemented as a metal having high resistance or an alloy thereof, such as an alloy of copper-nickel, nickel-chromium, or iron-nickel.

[0141] Two strands of tin-plated copper wire, for example, 1.25 mm in diameter, of busbars (311) are arranged in parallel, and a heating element corresponding to a heating wire (313), for example, a nickel chromium heating element, is wound in a spiral shape around the primary insulated parallel conductors and alternately contacts both strands of the parallel busbars (311) at regular intervals, for example, 1 m, to form a heating circuit.

[0142] The heating wire (313) may be configured to form a spiral on the primary insulating material (312) along the mother wire (311). The heating cable (310) may be configured to have different numbers of spirals within a certain length depending on its heating capacity. Heating cables (310) with different heating capacities may be used for heat tracing of pipes installed in different environments.

[0143] Referring to Fig. 6, the heating cable (310) may be configured to include a connecting contact portion (318) connecting a bus bar (311) and a heating wire (313). The connecting contact portion (318) serves to electrically connect the heating wire (313) alternately to a pair of bus bars (311) at regular intervals. In other words, a parallel circuit is created between the bus bar (311) and the heating wire (313) at regular intervals by the connecting contact portion (318).

[0144] Referring again to FIG. 5, the secondary insulating material (314) insulates between the connecting contact (318) and the bus bar (311) and the shield (315).

[0145] The shielding shield (315) serves to shield noise coming from the outside of the heating cable (310). The shielding shield (315) can be implemented in the form of actual metal wires woven together.

[0146] The final outer shell (316) wraps around the shield (315). The final outer shell may be made of a material such as PVC. A metal pipe may be added to wrap around the final outer shell (316). In this case, grounding of the metal pipe is required.

[0147] Fig. 7 is an example diagram of a heating cable according to a second embodiment included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Fig. 1.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 7, the heat tracing system (10) may include a serial heating cable (330). The serial heating cable (330) may be selected from one including one copper wire, two copper wires, or three copper wires.

[0149] The heating cable (330) may be configured to include a nickel alloy copper wire (331), a glass fiber braid (332), an inner sheath (333), a tin-plated copper braid (335), and an outer sheath (336). Those including two copper wires (330b) and those including three copper wires (330c) may be configured to additionally include an intermediate sheath (334).

[0150] The nickel alloy copper wire (331) corresponds to a heating element. The nickel alloy copper wire (331) has a serial configuration and may be composed of 1 to 3 pieces. The glass fiber braid (332) corresponds to a heat-resistant material. The inner sheath (333) may be composed of a fluororesin and corresponds to a primary insulator. The middle sheath (334) connects a plurality of pieces together and may be composed of a fluororesin. The tin-plated copper braid (335) corresponds to a shielding material. The outer sheath (336) may be composed of a fluororesin and corresponds to a secondary insulator.

[0151] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe in which a temperature sensor and a heating cable included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Fig. 1 are installed.

[0152] Fig. 9 is an example diagram of a temperature sensor and heating cable installed in the pipe of Fig. 8.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a heating cable (310) and a temperature sensor (210) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in contact with a pipe (P) with the pipe (P) and an insulating material (I) interposed therebetween. That is, the heating cable (310) may be installed in contact with the pipe (P) in the longitudinal direction of the pipe (P). In addition, the temperature sensor (210) may also be installed in contact with the pipe (P) in the longitudinal direction of the pipe (P).

[0154] The heat transferred to the pipe (P) by the heating cable (310) through the insulation (I) can be prevented from leaking out to the outside of the pipe, i.e., the atmosphere or underground in the environment where the pipe is installed.

[0155] Referring to FIG. 9, the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) may be installed without contacting each other in sub-sections (Sub1, Sub2, Sub3, Sub4) among the entire section of the pipe. In addition, the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) may be installed to intersect each other at intersections (C1, C2) between the sub-sections. In addition, the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) may be installed to be as spaced apart from each other as possible in the sub-sections.

[0156] The reason why the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) are installed at the maximum distance from each other is to match the amount of heat transferred in each direction (clockwise and counterclockwise) of heat conducted through the pipe (P).

[0157] The reason why the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) are installed so as not to intersect each other in the sub-section, but to intersect at predetermined intersection points (C1, C2) is that if the temperature sensor (210) comes into contact with the heating cable (310) in the sub-section, the heat of the heating cable (310) in the sub-section is directly transferred to the temperature sensor (210), making it difficult to accurately measure the temperature value of the pipe (P).

[0158] As the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) intersect at predetermined intersections (C1, C2), it can be observed that the temperature value of the pipe measured by the temperature sensor (210) changes immediately according to the temperature of the heating cable (310) at each intersection (C1, C2), so that the normal operation of the heating cable (310) can be determined, and the temperature value of the sub-section and the temperature value of a certain point can be compared and determined with each other.

[0159] Fig. 10 is an example diagram of a temperature sensor included in the heat tracing monitoring system of Fig. 3.

[0160] Referring to Fig. 10, the temperature sensor (210) may be implemented in the form of an optical fiber sensor. It may be configured to include an internal core (211) and an external cladding (212) of the temperature sensor (210). Since the temperature sensor (310) may be damaged by the core (211) alone, a cladding (212) made of a metal foil, for example, stainless steel, may be coated on the core to prevent damage.

[0161] The cladding (212) and core (211) have different refractive indices, which are the speed at which light propagates through the material. Minimizing the normal critical angle maximizes total internal reflection, allowing light to travel several kilometers with minimal attenuation.

[0162] According to a heat tracing monitoring method (S100) and a heat tracing monitoring system (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical fiber sensor and a heating cable (310) corresponding to a temperature sensor (210) having a temperature measuring function are installed along a pipe, and a temperature measuring device (200), for example, a DTS, is used to determine the temperature distribution of the entire length of the pipe based on scattered light of Raman anti-Stokes light, and further, a temperature value of the fluid that is close to the temperature value of the actual fluid can be calculated, so that temperature monitoring of equipment extending in the length direction of the pipe is possible.

[0163] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a heat tracing monitoring method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 11, a heat tracing monitoring method (S100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes configuring a graphic model for a piping system (S110), measuring a temperature value of a fluid using a temperature sensor installed in a piping system (S120), and displaying the temperature value of the fluid using a GUI of the graphic model (S130), and may additionally be configured to include controlling the operation of a heating cable (310) installed in a piping system (S140) and displaying a change in the temperature value of the fluid due to the heating cable (310) (S150).

[0165] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) can construct a virtual graphic model of a long-distance pipe installed to supply gas, for example, a special gas, to a semiconductor manufacturing facility (S110).

[0166] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) can output a temperature value for a fluid flowing in a long-distance pipe by using at least one temperature sensor (210) installed in the long-distance pipe (S120).

[0167] The heat tracing monitoring device (100) can display the temperature value of a fluid using a graphic user interface (GUI) for a virtual graphic model (S130). For example, the heat tracing monitoring device (100) can display the location information of a sensing point where sensing occurred in a long-distance pipe and the temperature value of a fluid flowing in the long-distance pipe together using a virtual graphic model through the control of the HMI module (161) (S130).

[0168]

[0169] When the heat generated by the heating wire (313) of the heating cable (310) is transferred to the final outer sheath (316) of the heating cable (310), the heating cable (310) transfers the heat generated by the heat generation to the temperature sensor (210) through the pipe (P). Then, the temperature sensor (210) measures the heat transferred through the pipe (P).

[0170] However, in the heat tracing of the pipe, a certain amount of time must pass for the temperature of the heat wire (313) transmitted to the pipe (P) to be transferred to the fluid (F) within the pipe (P) and increase the temperature of the fluid (F). In other words, a difference occurs between the temperature of the pipe (P) measured by the temperature sensor (210) and the current temperature of the fluid within the pipe (P). Therefore, in order to obtain a temperature closest to the actual temperature of the fluid (F), calibration must be performed by the error temperature difference in the temperature of the pipe measured using the temperature sensor (210).

[0171] Figure 12 is a flowchart of S120 of Figure 11.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 12, the temperature value measurement (S120) of a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a step (121) of storing fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information, a step (122) of measuring the temperature value of a pipe using a temperature sensor, and a step (S123) of correcting the temperature value of the pipe using the temperature value of the pipe, fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information.

[0173] Referring back to FIG. 9, the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be installed spaced apart from each other with the pipe (P) interposed therebetween. Therefore, the temperature value measured by the temperature measuring device (200) using the temperature sensor (210) corresponds to the temperature value of the pipe. In addition, the temperature value of the pipe may differ from the temperature value of the fluid flowing inside the pipe (P). Therefore, in order to make the temperature value of the pipe closer to the actual temperature value of the fluid, a step of correcting the temperature value of the pipe is necessary. Step 120 according to one embodiment of the present invention describes a step of correcting the temperature value of the pipe.

[0174] The heat emitted by the heating cable (310) can be primarily transferred to the pipe (P) in contact with the heating cable (310). The temperature measuring device (200) measures the heat transferred to the pipe. The heat transferred to the pipe (P) is again transferred to the fluid (F) in direct contact. In other words, the temperature value of the pipe and the temperature value of the fluid become inconsistent. This inconsistency is affected by the characteristics of the fluid (F), the characteristics of the pipe, and the environment in which the pipe is installed.

[0175] Therefore, in order to measure the exact temperature value of the fluid (F), it is necessary to correct the temperature value of the pipe according to the heat convection velocity of the fluid according to the molecular weight of the fluid, the heat conduction velocity according to the type of pipe, and the temperature of the environment in which the pipe is installed.

[0176] The fluid flowing within the pipe (P) may exhibit different heat diffusion rates depending on its molecular weight. For example, the lower the molecular weight of the fluid flowing within the pipe (P) and the higher the diffusion rate, the smaller the difference between the temperature of the pipe and the temperature of the fluid.

[0177] The pipe (P) can be manufactured using metal or synthetic resin such as PVC. Since the thermal conductivity of metal is higher than that of synthetic resin, the error between the temperature of the pipe and the temperature of the fluid can be reduced in metal pipe compared to synthetic resin pipe.

[0178] As previously explained, the pipe (P) can be installed above ground or buried underground. The pipe (P) can be installed above ground, either outdoors or indoors. While the external temperature of a pipe (P) buried underground may not be significantly affected by seasonal variations, the external temperature of a pipe (P) installed outdoors above ground may be significantly affected by seasonal atmospheric temperatures.

[0179] In cases where fluid information, including molecular weight and corresponding thermal convection velocity depending on the fluid type, piping information regarding pipe material, and environmental information, including the external temperature of the pipe depending on the environment in which the pipe is installed, are known in advance, the temperature value of the pipe can be calibrated to closely match the actual fluid temperature. This calibration can be performed based on thermodynamic equations and experiments based on thermodynamic equations.

[0180] As another embodiment of correcting the temperature value of a pipe, the temperature value of the pipe can be corrected using an artificial intelligence model.

[0181] FIG. 13 is an example GUI diagram of a pipe monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 13, the entire GUI screen can be configured to include an entire menu, a section information item, a detailed information item, a linked system information item, and a section information item.

[0183] The full menu can be configured to include submenus for Home, History regarding monitoring information, Summary, and Settings.

[0184] In the section information item, a section of the pipe can be selected, and the temperature information of the fluid and the location information of the sensing point for the selected section can be displayed in the detailed information item.

[0185] Referring again to Figure 13, a hypothetical graphical model of a long-distance piping system for supplying gases to a semiconductor manufacturing process is depicted. VDS stands for Valve Dispensing System and corresponds to the gas supply terminal. Gas supplied from the VDS is transported through piping, through the FAB (Fabrication), and to the GIB (Gas Isolating Box) or GCS (Gas Chemical System). The entire piping, from supply to consumption, can be divided into multiple channels, e.g., Channels 1 to 4, and multiple sections, e.g., Sections 1 to 6. A single gas flows through a single channel, and even if the same gas flows through multiple channels, the temperature of the long-distance piping may vary depending on the environment in which the sections of the channel are located, e.g., aboveground / underground, indoors / outdoors.

[0186] One channel may be configured to include a pipe (P) through which gas flows, a temperature sensor (210) that comes into contact with the pipe (P) to measure the temperature of the pipe (P), a heating cable (310) that heats the pipe (P), and an insulating material (I) that wraps the temperature sensor (210), the heating cable (310), and the pipe (P) together.

[0187] A single optical fiber sensor is installed in response to a single pipe and can form a single channel. Since a single channel comprises multiple sections, the temperature of each section may vary depending on the distance and location of the pipe.

[0188] A single channel may be assigned multiple independent heating cables for each section. For example, in a first channel piping system transporting CO2 gas, sections 1 through 6 may be designed with heating cables to be heated independently. For example, an additional heating cable (310) may be installed in the fourth section installed outdoors. Alternatively, a heating cable (310) independent of the other sections may be used for the fifth section installed underground, as this section experiences minimal temperature fluctuations.

[0189] The Details section can display temperature information and location information by channel for the selected section.

[0190] The linked system information items include TEMPERATURE, SYSTEM, DTS, and SENSOR, and information about these can be displayed.

[0191] The section information section can display the fluid name and the temperature of the pipe through which it flows, using different colors for each temperature level for each section. In this case, a risk level can be displayed for sections where phase changes in the fluid are a concern.

[0192] Figure 14 is an example of temperature changes at intersections and subsections on a pipe where a temperature sensor and a heating cable are installed.

[0193] Referring to Fig. 14, changes in the temperature value of the heater, the temperature value of the pipe, or the temperature value of the rapeseed are depicted in (1) to (3). (1) is when the heating cable (310) does not generate heat, and the temperature value of the pipe or the temperature value of the fluid is lower than the threshold value. When the heating cable (310) starts to heat the pipe, the temperature change occurs first at the intersection point (C1 to C5) where the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) intersect, so that the temperature value of the intersection point exceeds the threshold value and changes before the sub-section. However, in the state of (2), the pipe and the fluid are not greater than the threshold value. After a certain period of time, when the point in time (3) arrives, the heat generated by the heating cable (310) is transferred to the fluid through the pipe, and the temperature value of the pipe and the temperature value of the fluid exceed the threshold value, so that the fluid reaches a stable state. In this way, since the entire section of the pipe includes sub-sections where the temperature sensor (210) and the heating cable (310) are parallel to each other and a point where they intersect each other, the operation of the heating cable (310) can be clearly determined, and the temperature value of the pipe and the temperature value of the fluid can be clearly determined and displayed.

[0194] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to measure the temperature value of a pipe without error using a temperature sensor installed separately from a heating cable.

[0195] Additionally, temperature control of the fluid is possible using a heating cable installed separately from the optical fiber sensor.

[0196] Additionally, it is possible to monitor the temperature value of the fluid based on the temperature value of the pipe measured using an optical fiber sensor.

[0197] Additionally, it is possible to correct the temperature value of a pipe measured by an optical fiber sensor using the specific heat, specific gravity, and latent heat of the fluid.

[0198] In addition, by using optical fiber sensors and heating cables that are installed separately from each other in the pipe but intersect at some points, it is possible to compare the temperature values ​​of the pipe measured at the separately installed section and the intersecting points.

[0199] Above, although some examples have been given and various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the description of the various embodiments described in the “Specific Details for Carrying Out the Invention” section is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will readily understand that they can carry out various modifications of the present invention or carry out equivalent implementations of the present invention based on the above description.

[0200] In addition, since the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, the present invention is not limited by the above description, and the above description is provided only to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs of the scope of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention is defined only by each claim of the claims.

[0201] The present invention can be used in the field of monitoring heat tracing.

Claims

1. A heat tracing monitoring device that receives a temperature value of a pipe from a temperature measuring device and outputs a temperature value of a fluid flowing in the pipe using the temperature value of the pipe through calibration; The temperature measuring device that outputs and transmits the temperature value of the pipe by using a temperature sensor installed in the pipe connecting the fluid supply terminal that supplies the fluid and the fluid demand terminal that uses the fluid; and A heating cable is provided to be installed in the above pipe, and a heat tracing device is included that heats the pipe using the heating cable. The above heat tracing monitoring device, Controlling the operation of the heat tracing device based on the temperature value of the fluid, A graphical model of a piping system including a plurality of said pipes is used to display changes in the temperature value of said pipes, the temperature value of said fluid, and the temperature value of said fluid heated by said heat tracing device. Heat tracing monitoring system.

2. In claim 1, the heat tracing monitoring device, A human-machine interface (HMI) module that displays the temperature value of the fluid and the change in the temperature value of the fluid due to heating using a graphic model of a piping system including a plurality of said pipes; and configured to include a display for outputting the above graphic model, Heat tracing monitoring system.

3. In claim 1, the temperature sensor, configured to include an optical fiber sensor, Heat tracing monitoring system.

4. In claim 3, the temperature measuring device, It is configured to output the temperature value of the pipe and the location information about the temperature measurement point of the pipe using the sensing information received from the optical fiber sensor. Heat tracing monitoring system.

5. In claim 3, the optical fiber sensor, It is configured to scatter the incident laser light of a specific wavelength at regular locations based on a Raman optical time domain reflectometer (ROTDR) and output scattered light to be used for temperature and location measurement of the pipe. Heat tracing monitoring system.

6. In claim 1, the heating cable, It is configured to be installed in a sub-section within the entire section between the fluid supply section and the fluid demand section, parallel to the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and in contact with the pipe. Heat tracing monitoring system.

7. In claim 6, the temperature sensor, In the above subsection, it is configured to be installed parallel to the pipe in the longitudinal direction of the pipe and in contact with the pipe. Heat tracing monitoring system.

8. In claim 7, the temperature sensor and the heating cable, In the above sub-sections, they are configured to be installed with the greatest possible distance from each other. Heat tracing monitoring system.

9. In claim 7, the temperature sensor and the heating cable, The temperature sensor and the heating cable are configured to be installed so as to cross each other at the intersection between the above-mentioned pre-designated sub-sections. Heat tracing monitoring system.

10. In claim 1, Further comprising a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected to the above heat tracing device, The above heat tracing monitoring device is configured to control heating of the heating cable through the PLC. Heat tracing monitoring system.

11. A method performed by a heat tracing monitoring system, A step of constructing a graphical model of a piping system including at least one pipe; A step of outputting the temperature value of the pipe and the temperature value of the fluid flowing in the pipe using a temperature sensor installed in the pipe; and A method configured to include a step of displaying at least one of a temperature value of the pipe and a temperature value of the fluid using a graphical user interface (GUI) of the graphical model, Heat tracing monitoring method.

12. In claim 11, It is configured to further include a step of controlling the operation of the heating cable installed in the pipe based on the temperature value of the fluid. Heat tracing monitoring method.

13. In claim 12, It is configured to further include a step of displaying in real time the change in the temperature value of the fluid heated by the heating cable. Heat tracing monitoring method.

14. In claim 11, the step of outputting the temperature value of the fluid flowing in the pipe is: Step of pre-saving fluid information, pipe information, and environmental information; A step of measuring the temperature value of the pipe using the temperature sensor; and It is configured to include a step of correcting the temperature value of the pipe by using the temperature value of the pipe, the fluid information, the pipe information, and the environmental information. Heat tracing monitoring method.

Images