A heat pipe leakage monitoring system and method

Abstract

The application provides a heat pipe leakage monitoring system and method, which comprises a soil temperature monitoring node buried in soil and placed beside a heat pipe to be measured, a backwater pressure monitoring device installed in a relay energy station to monitor backwater pressure information of the relay energy station, and a monitoring server connected with the soil temperature monitoring node and the backwater pressure monitoring device respectively to receive the temperature information and the backwater pressure information, compare the information with preset values respectively, and determine whether the heat pipe to be measured leaks or not. The application adopts a modular design method to detect heat pipe leakage, and improves the reliability of monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of thermal pipeline leakage monitoring technology, specifically relating to a thermal pipeline leakage monitoring system and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the sustained and rapid economic development and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, urban centralized heating has developed at an unprecedented speed. This is reflected not only in the increased coverage rate of centralized heating and the extension of heating areas from north to south, but also in the expansion of the scale of centralized heating systems. The heating capacity of individual systems has increased, with many systems now covering tens of millions of square meters in total area; the radius of influence of the main heating pipeline has lengthened, with some systems exceeding 30 km; the maximum diameter of the heating pipeline has increased, reaching a maximum of DN1400 mm; the pressure and temperature parameters of the heat transfer medium have increased, with some systems exceeding the commonly used 1.6 MPa in maximum pressure; and the type of heating pipeline has evolved from a single-heat-source branching structure to a multi-heat-source ring structure, making the hydraulic conditions more complex.

[0003] Central heating systems consist of three parts: heat source, heating network, and heat users. The heating network, as a crucial component, is responsible for the timely delivery and distribution of heat from the heat source to each heat user, acting as a bridge connecting the two. However, the heating network is also a weak link in the system's reliability. With the increasing scale and age of the heating network, various factors such as pipe and component materials, laying methods, environment, construction methods, and management lead to frequent heating network failures, with leakage being the most common. The timing and location of these failures are often unpredictable, significantly impacting the operation and maintenance of the heating network and severely hindering its economic efficiency and safety. Since leaks involve expensive softened and high-temperature hot water, they result in unnecessary energy consumption, water loss, and significant economic losses, affecting heating quality and increasing fuel consumption.

[0004] With the continuous rise in coal prices, the development of industrial heating, and the increasing demands of heat users, controlling operating costs has become a top priority for heating companies. To ensure the safe and stable operation of heating networks, improve management efficiency, successfully control operating costs, and achieve modern management, regular inspections of heating networks are a current trend. As a crucial component of heating network inspection systems, developing a reliable system and method for monitoring leaks in thermal pipelines is an effective means to ensure the economical and safe operation of heating networks and improve their automation and management levels. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a system and method for monitoring leaks in heating pipelines, which solves the problem that there is currently no system for monitoring leaks in heating pipelines, resulting in reduced operating efficiency and increased costs for heating networks.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] This invention provides a thermal pipeline leakage monitoring system, comprising:

[0008] A soil temperature monitoring node is buried in the soil and placed next to the heat pipe to be tested, which is used to monitor the temperature information of the soil at the location.

[0009] A return water pressure monitoring device installed at the relay power station is used to monitor the return water pressure information of the relay power station; and,

[0010] The monitoring server is connected to the soil temperature monitoring node and the return water pressure monitoring device, respectively, to receive temperature information and return water pressure information, and compare them with preset values ​​to determine whether the heat pipe under test has leaked.

[0011] Preferably, the soil temperature monitoring node is wirelessly connected to the monitoring server via a soil temperature monitoring host.

[0012] Preferably, the soil temperature monitoring node is connected to the soil temperature monitoring host via a ZigBee wireless communication module.

[0013] Preferably, the soil temperature monitoring host and the monitoring server are connected via Ethernet.

[0014] Preferably, the return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module is connected to the monitoring server via Ethernet.

[0015] Preferably, the monitoring server is also connected to a handheld patrol monitoring device for monitoring surface temperature.

[0016] A method for detecting leaks in thermal pipelines includes the following steps:

[0017] Collect the soil temperature at the location of the heating pipeline under test and the return water pressure of the relay energy station;

[0018] The collected return water pressure and soil temperature are compared with preset thresholds, and the results are used to determine whether the heating pipe under test is leaking.

[0019] Preferably, the method for determining whether a leak has occurred in the tested thermal pipeline based on the comparison results is as follows:

[0020] When the soil temperature exceeds the preset threshold, it is determined that a leak has occurred in the heating pipe at the measured location.

[0021] When the return water pressure exceeds a preset threshold, it is determined whether the soil temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station exceeds a preset threshold. If the soil temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station exceeds the threshold, then the heating pipeline within the management area of ​​the relay energy station is leaking. Otherwise, the surface temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station is collected. If the surface temperature exceeds a preset threshold, then it is determined that the heating pipeline within the management area of ​​the relay energy station is leaking.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0023] This invention provides a thermal pipeline leakage monitoring system that detects leakage in thermal pipelines through multiple methods, including soil temperature monitoring nodes, a soil temperature monitoring host, a return water pressure monitoring device, and a handheld patrol monitoring device. This improves the reliability of monitoring. At the same time, it adopts a modular design method, with each module being independent of the others. Each module can be designed, debugged, modified, and expanded independently without affecting the structure of other modules, thus enhancing the stability and reliability of the entire system and making it highly practical.

[0024] This invention provides a method for monitoring leaks in heating pipelines. By using multiple parameters such as the return water pressure of the relay energy station, soil temperature, and surface temperature, the leaks in the heating pipelines are detected, which improves the reliability of monitoring and is an effective means to ensure the economical and safe operation of the heating network and improve the level of automation and management of the heating network. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a circuit block diagram of the thermal pipeline leakage monitoring system of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a circuit block diagram of the soil temperature monitoring node of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a circuit block diagram of the soil temperature monitoring host of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a circuit block diagram of the handheld patrol and monitoring device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a circuit block diagram of the return water pressure monitoring device of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 1—Soil temperature monitoring node; 1-1—Microprocessor module; 1-2—Node wireless communication module; 1-3—Soil temperature sensor; 2—Soil temperature monitoring host; 2-1—Host microprocessor module; 2-2—Host wireless communication module; 2-3—Host Ethernet communication module; 3—Handheld patrol monitoring device; 3-1—Patrol monitoring microprocessor module; 3-2—Patrol monitoring Ethernet communication module; 3-3—Touchscreen LCD display; 4—Return water pressure monitoring device; 4-1—Return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module; 4-2—Return water pressure monitoring Ethernet communication module; 4-3—Pressure sensor; 5—Monitoring server. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Example 1

[0033] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the thermal pipeline leakage monitoring system of this embodiment includes multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1 buried beside the thermal pipeline in the soil, multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2 wirelessly connected to and wirelessly communicating with the soil temperature monitoring nodes 1, multiple handheld patrol monitoring devices 3, a return water pressure monitoring device 4 installed in the relay energy station, and a monitoring server 5 connected to and communicating with the multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2, the multiple handheld patrol monitoring devices 3 and the multiple return water pressure monitoring devices 4.

[0034] The soil temperature monitoring node 1 includes a node microprocessor module 1-1 and a node wireless communication module 1-2 connected to the node microprocessor module 1-1. The input terminal of the node microprocessor module 1-1 is connected to a soil temperature sensor 1-3 buried in the soil for detecting soil temperature.

[0035] The soil temperature monitoring host 2 includes a host microprocessor module 2-1, a host wireless communication module 2-2 and a host Ethernet communication module 2-3 connected to the host microprocessor module 2-1.

[0036] The handheld patrol monitoring device 3 includes a patrol monitoring microprocessor module 3-1, a patrol monitoring Ethernet communication module 3-2 connected to the patrol monitoring microprocessor module 3-1, and a touch LCD screen 3-3. The input terminal of the patrol monitoring microprocessor module 3-1 is connected to a surface temperature sensor 3-4 for detecting surface temperature.

[0037] The return water pressure monitoring device 4 includes a return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module 4-1 and a return water pressure monitoring Ethernet communication module 4-2 connected to the return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module 4-1. The input terminal of the return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module 4-1 is connected to a pressure sensor 4-3 for detecting the return water pressure of the relay energy station.

[0038] The host Ethernet communication module 2-3, the patrol monitoring Ethernet communication module 3-2, and the return water pressure monitoring Ethernet communication module 4-2 are all connected to and communicate with the monitoring server 5 via Ethernet.

[0039] In this embodiment, the node microprocessor module 1-1, the host microprocessor module 2-1, the patrol monitoring microprocessor module 3-1, and the return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module 4-1 all include ARM microprocessor modules.

[0040] In specific implementation, the ARM microprocessor module includes the AT91M42800A chip.

[0041] In this embodiment, both the node wireless communication module 1-2 and the host wireless communication module 2-2 are ZigBee wireless communication modules.

[0042] In specific implementation, the ZigBee wireless communication module is model Z-8001.

[0043] In this embodiment, the soil temperature sensor 1-3 is a temperature and humidity sensor DHT11.

[0044] In this embodiment, the surface temperature sensor 3-4 is a temperature and humidity sensor SHT30.

[0045] In specific implementation, the host Ethernet communication module 2-3, the patrol monitoring Ethernet communication module 3-2, and the return water pressure monitoring Ethernet communication module 4-2 all adopt the B426-CN Ethernet communication module.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] The thermal pipeline leakage monitoring method of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0048] Step 1: Bury multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1 next to the heating pipes in the soil, and set up multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2, and make one soil temperature monitoring host 2 wirelessly connected and communicate with multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1.

[0049] Step 2: Install a return water pressure monitoring device 4 at the relay energy station;

[0050] Step 3: Set up monitoring software on monitoring server 5, and draw a layout simulation diagram of multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1, multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2, and multiple return water pressure monitoring devices 4 on the monitoring software; the layout simulation diagram shows the layout diagram of the heat pipeline and the setting diagram of the relay energy station, and marks the layout positions of multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1, multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2, and multiple return water pressure monitoring devices 4 in the diagram; that is, the actual layout of the heat pipeline, relay energy station, multiple soil temperature monitoring nodes 1, multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2, and multiple return water pressure monitoring devices 4 is scaled down and drawn into the actual monitoring software;

[0051] Step 4: Activate soil temperature monitoring node 1, soil temperature monitoring host 2, return water pressure monitoring device 4, and monitoring server 5. Soil temperature monitoring node 1 detects the soil temperature at its location in real time and outputs the detected signal to soil temperature monitoring host 2 in real time. Multiple soil temperature monitoring hosts 2 transmit the soil temperature at the location of each soil temperature monitoring node 1 to monitoring server 5; multiple return water pressure monitoring devices 4 transmit the return water pressure of each relay energy station to monitoring server 5.

[0052] Step 5: The monitoring server 5 compares the return water pressure of each relay energy station with the preset return water pressure threshold range. When the return water pressure of any relay energy station exceeds the preset return water pressure threshold range, it is determined that a heat pipe leak may have occurred in the management area of ​​that relay energy station. At the same time, the monitoring server 5 also compares the soil temperature at the location of each soil temperature monitoring node 1 with the preset soil temperature threshold range. When the soil temperature at the location of any soil temperature monitoring node 1 exceeds the preset soil temperature threshold, it is determined that a heat pipe leak has occurred at the location of that soil temperature monitoring node 1.

[0053] Step 6: The monitoring server 5 determines whether the soil temperature in the relay energy station management area where a heat pipe leak may have occurred exceeds the preset soil temperature threshold range. If it does, it is determined that a heat pipe leak has indeed occurred at the location of the soil temperature monitoring node 1. If not, staff members use handheld patrol monitoring devices 3 to conduct manual patrols in the relay energy station management area to determine whether the surface temperature exceeds the preset surface temperature threshold range. If the surface temperature exceeds the preset surface temperature threshold range, it is determined that a heat pipe leak has occurred at the patrol point.

[0054] The above judgment methods can effectively improve the stability and reliability of monitoring, avoid false alarms, and prevent waste of human and material resources;

[0055] Step 7: The monitoring server 5 marks the location of the heat pipe leak on the layout simulation map until the leak danger is eliminated.

[0056] In this embodiment, in step six, when the surface temperature exceeds a preset surface temperature threshold range, the monitoring server 5 further determines whether the soil temperature detected by the soil temperature monitoring nodes 1 deployed within a circumference of radius R exceeds the preset soil temperature threshold range. If both the surface temperature and the soil temperature detected by the soil temperature monitoring nodes 1 deployed within a circumference of radius R exceed the preset soil temperature threshold range, it is determined that a thermal pipeline leak has occurred at the patrol point. Furthermore, based on the deployment location of the soil temperature monitoring nodes 1, the location of the thermal pipeline leak is precisely pinpointed. This further narrows the scope of investigation and maintenance, saving manpower and resources.

[0057] In this embodiment, the value of R ranges from 0.2m to 5m. This minimizes monitoring errors, allows for rapid location and handling of leaks, and effectively reduces losses.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation on the present invention. Any simple modifications, alterations, or equivalent structural changes made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring leaks in thermal pipelines, characterized in that, include: A soil temperature monitoring node is buried in the soil and placed next to the heat pipe to be tested, which is used to monitor the temperature information of the soil at the location. The return water pressure monitoring device installed in the relay energy station is used to monitor the return water pressure information of the relay energy station; as well as, The monitoring server is connected to both the soil temperature monitoring node and the return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module in the return water pressure monitoring device. It receives temperature and return water pressure information and compares them with preset values ​​to determine whether a leak has occurred in the monitored thermal pipeline. When the soil temperature exceeds the preset threshold, it is determined that a leak has occurred in the heating pipe at the measured location. When the return water pressure exceeds a preset threshold, it is determined whether the soil temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station exceeds a preset threshold. If the soil temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station exceeds the threshold, a leak has occurred in the heating pipeline within the management area of ​​the relay energy station. Otherwise, the surface temperature within the management area of ​​the relay energy station is collected. If the surface temperature exceeds a preset threshold, it is determined that a leak has occurred in the heating pipeline within the management area of ​​the relay energy station.

2. The method for monitoring leaks in a thermal pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The soil temperature monitoring node is wirelessly connected to the monitoring server via the soil temperature monitoring host.

3. The method for monitoring leaks in a thermal pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, The soil temperature monitoring node is connected to the soil temperature monitoring host via a ZigBee wireless communication module.

4. The method for monitoring leaks in a thermal pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that, The soil temperature monitoring host and the monitoring server are connected via Ethernet.

5. The method for monitoring leaks in a thermal pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The return water pressure monitoring microprocessor module is connected to the monitoring server via Ethernet.

6. The method for monitoring leaks in a thermal pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring server is also connected to a handheld patrol monitoring device for monitoring surface temperature.

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