Separated air tank waterproof hammer structure, state monitoring regulation and control system and regulation and control method

Abstract

The invention provides a separated air tank waterproof hammer structure, a state monitoring regulation and control system and a regulation and control method.The waterproof hammer structure comprises a water storage tank, the water storage tank is connected with a water supply pipeline behind a pump of a water supply system through a first connecting pipe, and a regulating valve is arranged on the first connecting pipe; the water hammer preventing structure is provided with an air tank, the air tank is a separated air tank which is separated from the water storage tank and located outside the water storage tank, the separated air tank and the water storage tank are connected through a second connecting pipe, an air valve is arranged on the second connecting pipe, and the separated air tank is provided with a safety valve. Water-gas separation is achieved through the air valve, gas dissolution during steady-state operation is greatly reduced, frequent gas supplement of an air compressor is avoided, an air bag can be omitted, cost is reduced, and the service life is prolonged. And simultaneously. Water hammer protection delay caused by the air bag is avoided, the water hammer elimination effect is more direct, and pollution of the air bag to water quality is avoided; and moreover, the response speed is high, automatic regulation and control of the separated air tank can be realized more easily, and the safety of equipment is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water hammer protection in water conservancy and hydropower engineering, and specifically relates to a separate air tank structure, a condition monitoring and control system, and a control method. Background Technology

[0002] During operation, dynamic changes in water flow may trigger water hammer in water supply pipelines. Water hammer can generate instantaneous excessively high or low pressures in the pipeline system, causing damage and threatening the safe operation of the project. Air tanks can alleviate and absorb pressure during both positive and negative water hammer events, protecting the pipeline system from damage. Therefore, they are widely used in water diversion projects.

[0003] Air tanks can be categorized into traditional air tanks and liner-type air tanks based on their structure. Traditional air tanks offer protection against both positive and negative water hammer in pressure pipelines, but require a compressor to periodically replenish the tank with air, and a water level control system to regulate the air-to-water ratio. This increases system complexity and places higher demands on equipment maintenance. Liner-type air tanks, by incorporating a polyurethane liner and pre-filling with high-pressure nitrogen or a liquid medium, avoid gas dissolution issues. However, their high cost, limited air bladder lifespan, and potential water contamination problems limit their application.

[0004] Furthermore, air tanks lack automatic control functions, while large-scale water diversion projects typically involve long water transmission lines, numerous branches, and frequent valve operations, resulting in extremely complex operating conditions. Under these circumstances, air tanks struggle to achieve optimal performance. Therefore, designing a novel water hammer protection device that is low-cost, reliable, and possesses automatic control capabilities is of great significance for large-scale water diversion projects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a separate air tank, a condition monitoring and control system, and a control method to overcome the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A separate air tank structure for preventing water hammer includes a water storage tank, which is connected to the water supply pipeline after the pump of a water supply system via a first connecting pipe, and a regulating valve is installed on the first connecting pipe; characterized in that the separate air tank structure for preventing water hammer includes an air tank, which is a separate air tank located outside the water storage tank, and the separate air tank is connected to the water storage tank via a second connecting pipe, an air valve is installed on the second connecting pipe, and a safety valve is installed on the separate air tank.

[0007] Furthermore, the second connecting pipe is equipped with two parallel control lines. The first control line is equipped with a maintenance gate valve and the air valve, and the second control line is equipped with a bypass gate valve and a standby air valve.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: The condition monitoring and control system based on the above-mentioned split air tank waterproof hammer structure is characterized by including a condition monitoring system and valve regulators. The condition monitoring system includes strain gauges, pressure sensors, level gauges, and air valve condition monitors. Strain gauges are attached near the openings at the top and bottom of the air tank and water tank to measure the structural stress response. Pressure sensors are installed inside the air tank and water tank to measure the internal pressure of the tank body, respectively. A level gauge is installed inside the water tank to monitor the water level. An air valve condition monitor is installed on the air valve to detect whether the air valve is activated. Valve regulators are installed on the regulating valve, safety valve, maintenance valve, and bypass valve to adjust the valve opening or the valve's on / off state. To improve the operational reliability of the split air tank, a power sensor is installed on the water pump of the water supply system, and a pressure sensor is installed at the downstream position of the water supply pipeline pump.

[0009] Furthermore, an analysis and decision-making module is set up within the condition monitoring and control system; during operation, the condition information of the waterproof hammer structure of the split air tank is obtained through the condition monitoring system, and the valve regulator executes the analysis and decision-making.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: The method for controlling the waterproof hammer structure of a separate air tank based on the state monitoring and control system described in claim 3 or 4 is characterized by the following control measures applied to the waterproof hammer structure of the separate air tank: When filling an empty water supply pipeline: Before filling begins, open the safety valve and regulating valve, and close the air valve. After filling is complete, close the safety valve and pressurize the air tank using an air compressor. After filling, the pressure inside the air tank is lower than the first set pressure difference at the top of the water tank. The first set pressure difference is much greater than the design standard for the air valve start-up pressure difference.

[0011] When operating conditions change during steady-state operation: Changes in the water level of the inlet or outlet pool in the water supply system will cause changes in the pump head and the pressure in the storage tank. When the downstream pressure sensor detects an increase in pressure, the valve regulator will activate, widening the valve opening; conversely, it will reduce the valve opening. The specific opening adjustment value is automatically calculated according to the rules preset in the valve regulator, and the entire process requires no manual intervention. Under normal circumstances, the water levels in the inlet and outlet pools will not change. This operating mode is mainly for situations where changes in water level cause significant changes in pump head, especially downstream pressure. For water supply projects where the pump head is less affected by water level fluctuations, no adjustment of the valve opening is required.

[0012] When the water pump is powered off: the pressure after the pump drops, the storage tank replenishes water to the supply pipeline, the air valve opens, and the air tank replenishes air to the storage tank to prevent negative pressure in the supply pipeline; when the water flows back into the supply pipeline, the air in the storage tank flows back into the air tank. During this process, if the water level in the storage tank drops to the differential pressure at which the air valve activates, the valve regulator actuates, and the regulating valve closes to prevent high-pressure gas from overflowing into the supply pipeline. After the water pump is restarted, the regulating valve opens, the water level in the storage tank rises, and the gas in the storage tank re-enters the air tank, restoring the original operating state without the need for the air compressor to replenish the air tank.

[0013] When an air valve fails: After the condition monitoring and control system detects the failure, it automatically sends an early warning to the maintenance personnel, reminding them to replace the valve, and simultaneously activates the backup air valve. If too many air valves fail, the valve regulator will activate, reducing the valve opening to meet pipeline pressure protection verification standards while also ensuring the safety of the separate air tank.

[0014] This invention is applicable to high-lift water supply and drainage projects, and its beneficial effects are: 1. The use of an air valve achieves water-gas separation, significantly reducing gas dissolution during steady-state operation, avoiding frequent air compressor replenishment, and eliminating the need for an airbag, thus reducing costs and extending service life. Simultaneously, it avoids the delayed water hammer protection caused by airbags, resulting in more direct water hammer elimination, and prevents water contamination by airbags.

[0015] 2. Based on the separate air tank structure of the present invention, the response speed is fast, and it is easier to realize the automatic control of the separate air tank, which improves the work efficiency of operation and maintenance personnel and ensures the safety of equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the separate air tank structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the condition monitoring and control system. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The split-type air tank waterproof hammer structure provided by this invention is shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes an air tank 10, a water tank 8, a connecting pipe, an air valve 91, a safety valve 11, and a regulating valve 6. The air tank 10 is a separate type, located outside the water tank 8, and the two are connected by a second connecting pipe 9. An air valve 91 is installed on the second connecting pipe 9. The water tank 8 is connected to the water supply pipeline 4 via a first connecting pipe 7. The specific connection route is: water supply pipeline 4 → first connecting pipe 7 → water tank 8 → second connecting pipe 9 → air tank 10. The first connecting pipe 7 is equipped with a regulating valve 6, the opening of which is adjusted by a valve regulator. The second connecting pipe 9 is equipped with two parallel control pipelines. The first control pipeline is equipped with a maintenance gate valve 92 and an air valve 91, while the second control pipeline is equipped with a bypass gate valve 93 and a standby air valve 94. The air tank 10 is equipped with a safety valve 11, the opening and closing status of which is controlled by a valve regulator, used for pressure relief in case of overpressure.

[0019] The split-type air tank waterproof hammer structure provided by this invention also includes a condition monitoring and control system, which comprises a condition monitoring system and valve regulators. The condition monitoring system includes strain gauges, pressure sensors, level gauges, and air valve condition monitors. Strain gauges are attached near the openings at the top and bottom of the air tank 10 and water tank 8 to measure structural stress response. Pressure sensors are installed inside the air tank 10 and water tank 8 to measure the internal pressure of the tanks, respectively. A level gauge is installed inside the water tank 8 to monitor the water level. An air valve condition monitor is installed on the air valve 91 to detect whether the air valve is activated. Valve regulators are installed on the regulating valve 6, safety valve 11, maintenance valve 92, and bypass valve 93 to adjust the valve opening or the valve's on / off state.

[0020] The split-type air tank waterproof hammer structure provided by this invention is installed after the pump in the water supply pipeline 6. The water supply system mainly consists of an upstream reservoir 1, a forebay 2, a water pump 3, a water supply pipeline 6, and a downstream reservoir 5. To improve the operational reliability of the split-type air tank, a power sensor is installed on the water pump 3, and a pressure sensor is installed after the pump in the water supply pipeline.

[0021] The condition monitoring and control system has a pre-set analysis and decision-making module. During operation, the system can acquire the condition information of the split air tank waterproof hammer structure through strain gauges, pressure sensors, level gauges, and air valve condition monitors. This information includes the pressure at the top of the water tank, the water level in the water tank, the strain of the tank body (air tank 10 and water tank 8), the air tank pressure, the water pump power, the pressure after the pump, and the air valve status. After analysis and decision-making, the valve regulator executes the control; alternatively, it can be directly controlled according to external commands.

[0022] The following examples illustrate in detail the control method of the split air tank waterproof hammer structure.

[0023] Example 1: Water filling process of an empty water supply pipeline.

[0024] Before filling with water, S1 checks the status of the water supply system and the structure of the separate air tank to prevent water hammer. It confirms that the bypass valve 93 is closed, the maintenance valve 92 and connecting valve 6 are open, and the air valve 91 is closed. At this time, the air tank 10 (empty), water tank 8 (empty), first connecting pipe 7, second connecting pipe 9, air valve 91, regulating valve 6, and safety valve 11 are connected as a single unit. When an external water filling command is issued, the valve regulator activates, the safety valve 11 opens, and simultaneously the water pump 3 starts filling the water supply pipeline with water. S2 confirms that the water filling is complete and closes the safety valve 11. An external pressurization command is issued, and the air compressor is turned on to pressurize the air tank 10. When the pressure inside the air tank 10 is 2 meters lower than the pressure at the top of the water tank 8 (the first set pressure difference, which is much greater than the starting pressure difference of the air valve 11, ensuring that air in the air tank 10 will not enter the water tank 8 during steady-state operation), the status monitoring and control system automatically shuts down the air compressor.

[0025] Example 2: During steady-state operation, the water level 2 in the forebay fluctuates. This process is automatically controlled and requires no manual intervention. The specific working process of the state monitoring and control system is as follows: S1 acquires the pressure signal from the downstream pressure sensor; If an increase in pressure is detected, S2 calculates the optimal opening of regulating valve 6 using an algorithm and expands the opening of regulating valve 6 to the optimal value through the valve regulator; otherwise, it reduces the opening of regulating valve 6.

[0026] Example 3: Water pump 3 is powered off. The specific working process of the status monitoring and control system is as follows: S1 collects the level gauge signal from water storage tank 8; If S2 detects that the water level in the storage tank has dropped to 1m water column height (air valve starts with differential pressure), the valve regulator will activate and the regulating valve 6 will close. S3 collects the water pump power signal; S4 If pump 3 is detected to be restarted, the valve regulator will activate and the regulating valve 5 will open.

[0027] Example 4: Air valve 91 fails. The specific working process of the condition monitoring and control system is as follows: The S1 status monitoring and control system collects air valve status signals; After S2 detects that the air valve 91 has failed, the status monitoring and control system automatically sends an early warning to the operation and maintenance personnel and opens the bypass valve 93 at the same time. S3 If the number of failed air valves exceeds 2 / 3 of the total, the optimal opening of the regulating valve is calculated by the algorithm, the valve regulator is activated, and the opening of the regulating valve 6 is reduced to the optimal value.

[0028] The above description is merely illustrative of specific implementation examples of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and principles indicated by the present invention should still be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A split-type air tank waterproof hammer structure, comprising a water storage tank, wherein the water storage tank is connected to the water supply pipeline after the pump of a water supply system via a first connecting pipe, and a regulating valve is provided on the first connecting pipe; characterized in that, The separate air tank waterproof hammer structure includes an air tank, which is separate from and located outside the water storage tank. The separate air tank and the water storage tank are connected by a second connecting pipe, and an air valve is installed on the second connecting pipe. The separate air tank is also equipped with a safety valve.

2. The split-type air tank waterproof hammer structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The second connecting pipe is equipped with two parallel control lines. The first control line is equipped with a maintenance gate valve and the air valve, and the second control line is equipped with a bypass gate valve and a standby air valve.

3. A condition monitoring and control system based on the split air tank waterproof hammer structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that... The system includes a condition monitoring system and valve regulators. The condition monitoring system includes strain gauges, pressure sensors, level gauges, and an air valve condition monitor. Strain gauges are attached near the openings at the top and bottom of the air tank and water tank to measure structural stress response. Pressure sensors are installed inside the air tank and water tank to measure the internal pressure of the tanks. A level gauge is installed inside the water tank to monitor the water level. An air valve condition monitor is installed on the air valve to detect whether the air valve is activated. Valve regulators are installed on the regulating valve, safety valve, maintenance valve, and bypass valve to adjust the valve opening or the valve's on / off state. A power sensor is installed on the water pump of the water supply system, and a pressure sensor is installed at the downstream position of the water supply pipeline pump.

4. The state monitoring and control system as described in claim 3, characterized in that... The condition monitoring and control system is equipped with an analysis and decision-making module. During operation, the condition monitoring system acquires the condition information of the waterproof hammer structure of the split air tank, and the valve regulator executes the analysis and decision-making.

5. A method for controlling the water hammer structure of a split air tank based on the state monitoring and control system described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The following controls are applied to the waterproof hammer structure of the separate air tank: When filling an empty water supply pipeline: Before filling begins, open the safety valve and regulating valve, and close the air valve. After filling is complete, close the safety valve and pressurize the air tank using an air compressor. After filling, the pressure inside the air tank is lower than the first set pressure difference at the top of the water tank. The first set pressure difference is much greater than the design standard for the air valve start pressure difference. When the operating conditions change during steady-state operation: changes in the water level of the inlet or outlet pool in the water supply system will cause changes in the pump head and the pressure of the storage tank to change accordingly. When the pressure sensor after the pump detects an increase in pressure, the valve regulator will activate and expand the opening of the regulating valve; conversely, it will reduce the opening of the regulating valve. When the water pump is powered off: the pressure after the pump drops, the water storage tank replenishes water to the water supply pipeline, the air valve opens, and the air tank replenishes air to the water storage tank to prevent negative pressure in the water supply pipeline; when the water in the water supply pipeline flows back, the air in the water storage tank flows back to the air tank; during this process, if the water level in the water storage tank drops to the differential pressure at which the air valve starts, the valve regulator activates, and the regulating valve closes to prevent high-pressure gas from overflowing into the water supply pipeline; after the water pump is restarted, the regulating valve opens, the water level in the water storage tank rises, and the gas in the water storage tank re-enters the air tank, restoring the original operating state, without the need for the air compressor to replenish air to the air tank; When an air valve fails: After the status monitoring and control system detects the failure of an air valve, it will automatically send an early warning to the maintenance personnel to remind them to replace it, and at the same time start the backup air valve; if there are too many failed air valves, the valve regulator will activate to reduce the opening of the regulating valve, so as to meet the pipeline pressure protection verification standard while taking into account the safety of the separate air tank.

Images