Method and system for determining and using gas quality in a gas network section

Abstract

A method for determining the gas quality in a gas network section for the purpose of regulating consumers and / or producers within that section. This method allows the gas quality for the network section to be easily determined in real time, and the regulation of consumers and / or producers within that section to be adjusted accordingly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method and a system for determining the gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section, wherein the gas quality for the gas network section can be determined easily in real time and the control of the consumers and / or producers in the gas network section can be adapted accordingly. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND One object of the invention is to provide a method and a system which makes it possible to determine the gas quality, in particular with regard to the concentration of an additional gas and / or a calorific value, in a gas network section in a simple way in real time and to adapt the control of consumers and / or producers in the gas network section to the determined gas quality. Depending on their type and proportion, additive gases can significantly influence the composition of the gas carried in the gas network and thus also the operation of devices, i.e., consumers and producers, such as gas burners, fuel cell modules, and electrolyzers. The proportion of an additive gas in the fuel gas can vary considerably in different sections of the gas network, both regionally and over time. Motivated by a long-term reduction in CO2 emissions, for example, the injection of climate-neutrally produced hydrogen as an additional gas into the existing natural gas network is planned with volume shares of up to 40 vol.%. Therefore, knowledge and communication of gas quality within a gas network section is essential for the safe operation and efficient control of the consumers and producers connected to that gas network section. EP 2 450 704 B1 describes, for example, a method for determining the calorific value of fuel gas, in particular natural gas, in gas networks, especially in regional or distribution networks with at least two injection points, a plurality of network nodes and several withdrawal points, wherein a) the calorific values ​​and quantities are measured at the injection points of the gas network, b) the quantities at the withdrawal points of the gas network are estimated and summed on the basis of load profiles according to corresponding equations, c) the respective values ​​determined together with topological data of the gas network are supplied to an evaluation unit and the calorific values ​​at at least one withdrawal point are calculated. EP 3 287 750 B1, for example, describes a gas metering system and a calorific value estimation method. The gas metering system is designed to estimate the calorific value of gas passing through a first gas meter and the calorific value of gas passing through a second gas meter, which is located separately from the first. The estimation is based on the calorific value of the gas from the first gas meter, which is positioned at a predetermined distance from the second gas meter along a gas supply line. For example, DE 10 2018 106 576 A1 describes a method for determining gas consumption in a gas network with varying gas quality, using at least one metering device for recording at least one gas flow rate, and including one or more local gas injection points in the gas network. At least one current gas quality is determined in a network section of the gas network, with at least one consumption point in that section drawing a gas flow rate. The current gas quality in the network section is transmitted to a data center. The gas flow rate consumption of the at least one consumption point is determined by its metering device. The current consumption is transmitted to the data center based on time-accurate meter readings from the metering device.The current calorific value is determined based on the gas composition in the network section, and at least the time-accurate calorific values ​​are linked to the meter readings of the consumption point. And FR 3 030 034 A1, for example, describes a gas meter for customer installation of a gas distribution network, comprising a pipe with a gas inlet opening and a gas outlet opening, a unit for measuring a quantity of gas circulating in the pipe, an analysis unit for the gas flowing in the pipe to determine at least a partial composition thereof, and a data transmission unit connected and arranged with the analysis unit to transmit an identifier and analysis data, and at least one data acquisition unit separate from the measuring instrument. Further state of the art is also known from DE 10 2010 050 327 A1. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM The aforementioned problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1 and dependent claim 16. The dependent claims are directed to particular embodiments of the invention. A method according to the invention for determining a gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section comprises step a) of determining a gas quality by at least one consumer or at least one producer in the gas network section. The terms "consumer" and "producer" used herein refer to the consumption of gas from a section of the gas network, or, correspondingly, the production of gas. Consumers can therefore be, for example, gas burners or fuel cell modules; producers can be, for example, electrolyzers or methanization modules. The term "equipment" is also used below, which refers to both a consumer and a producer. The determination of the gas quality in step a) is carried out directly by the at least one consumer or the at least one generator using internal measuring sensors. According to the invention, the operating state in which the gas quality is determined by the at least one consumer or the at least one generator is not restricted. The gas quality can, for example, be determined in a calibration mode. In a preferred embodiment, however, the gas quality can be determined in step a) during operation of the at least one consumer or the at least one generator. The method for determining the gas quality is not limited according to the invention and will depend on the type and design of the at least one consumer or the at least one producer. If at least one consumer is, for example, a gas burner, the gas quality can be determined, for example, by measuring the flame temperature. The flame temperature can be determined, for example, by utilizing the thermionic effect at the ignition electrode (temperature of the flame at the ignition electrode), as described, for example, in EP 2 549 187 B1. In any case, the method according to the invention makes it possible to do without additional measuring points and measuring devices for determining the gas quality in a gas network section. The term "gas quality" is to be interpreted broadly here. Gas quality can, in principle, refer to all properties of the gas conveyed in a section of a gas network. In a preferred embodiment, however, determining the gas quality in step a) can specifically include determining the concentration of an additive gas and / or determining a calorific value. The term "additional gas" refers here to any proportionate gaseous admixture to the base gas (natural gas) carried in a section of a gas network. The type of additive gas is not restricted according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the additive gas can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, sulfur, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and propane. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the additive gas can be hydrogen. The method according to the invention further comprises step b) of transmitting the gas properties determined in step a) and position data of the at least one consumer or the at least one producer in real time to a central unit. The term "real time" is to be interpreted broadly here. Real time means the time delay between the transmission of the gas quality information to the central unit and the distribution of the gas quality information to at least one other consumer or at least one other producer in the gas network section, such that the at least one other consumer or at least one other producer can be regulated based on the gas quality information distributed by the central unit. In this context, a central unit is a unit for transmitting (sending and receiving), storing, and processing data. A central unit could therefore be, for example, a control center, a server, or a cloud. Consumers and / or producers in a gas network section can advantageously form a network with the central unit. Alternatively, or additionally, a central unit can also be connected to multiple networks or clusters of consumers and / or producers. These networks or clusters can, for example, be assigned to different, regionally specific gas network sections. In addition to the gas properties determined in step a), position data of the at least one consumer or the at least one producer are also transmitted to the central unit in step b) of the method according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the position data can be anonymized. Anonymization can, for example, mean that only the assignment of a gas connection to a section of the gas network is transmitted as position data. The method according to the invention further comprises step c) of determining the gas quality in the gas network section by the central unit based on the transmitted gas quality and the position data. This can be done, for example, by combining the gas quality determined by the at least one consumer or the at least one producer with the transmitted position data. In a preferred embodiment, the central unit can additionally store information about the characteristics of the gas network section. Then, in step c), the gas characteristics can be determined taking into account this information. Information about the characteristics of the gas network section could, for example, include information about the grouping of devices, i.e., consumers and / or producers, within that section. The method according to the invention further comprises step d) of the central unit transmitting the gas quality data for the gas network section to at least one other consumer or at least one other producer in the gas network section. In this way, devices in the gas network section can indirectly access the measured values ​​of other devices in the same gas network section and thus forgo their own determination or even their own measuring sensors. And the method according to the invention comprises step e) of adapting a control of the at least one further consumer or the at least one further producer in the gas network section on the basis of the gas quality supplied. In a further preferred embodiment, the adaptation of the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step e) can comprise: deriving a control variable for use by the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer based on the output gas quality. In this way, devices with a data transmission device (IP interface) without measuring sensors can adapt their control behavior to the gas quality, in particular the hydrogen concentration, in their gas network section by deriving a corresponding control variable for use. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one further consumer can be a gas burner, and the control variable for its use can be a control variable for combustion. In a further preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step e) may include: switching off the at least one additional consumer when an internal limit value is exceeded or fallen below due to the gas quality supplied. In a further preferred embodiment, adjusting the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step e) can include: comparing internal measured values ​​of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer with the output gas quality to detect and / or compensate for deviations in internal measuring sensors. In this way, devices can use the gas quality determined and output by the central unit to correct or calibrate their own internal measuring sensors. In a further preferred embodiment, adjusting the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step e) can include: stabilizing the gas quality in the gas network section by the at least one additional producer when a defined limit value for the gas network section is exceeded by the supplied gas quality. In this way, it is possible, for example, to provide consistently high hydrogen concentrations in the gas network section. In a further preferred embodiment, the method can additionally include the step of adjusting the maintenance intervals of at least one other consumer or at least one other producer based on the reported gas quality. In this way, for example, maintenance service providers can externally adjust the maintenance intervals of the equipment via maintenance software when the gas quality in the gas network section is transmitted. In a further preferred embodiment, the gas quality can be determined in step a) by two or more consumers or producers, and in step b) the gas quality values, along with the associated location data, can then be transmitted in real time to the central unit. From the transmitted gas quality and location data, an average gas quality for the gas network section can then be determined in step c). In this way, a large database can be generated by the two or more consumers or producers, which, due to the averaging of the individually determined gas quality values, enables an accurate determination of the gas quality in the gas network section. In a further preferred embodiment, the method can additionally include the step of determining the difference between the gas properties transmitted in step b) based on a defined limit value and, if the defined limit value is exceeded or not met, issuing an error message. In this way, faulty sensors in the two or more consumers or producers can be advantageously detected. The central unit can therefore issue an error message to the corresponding consumer or producer if the defined limit value is exceeded or not met. The defined limit value can preferably specify a maximum deviation of 10% between the transmitted gas properties, and more preferably 5%. In a further preferred embodiment, in step d) the gas quality can also be communicated to two or more additional consumers or producers in the gas network section, and then in step e) the regulations of the two or more consumers or producers in the gas network section can be adjusted based on the communicated gas quality. The method according to the invention can be carried out once or multiple times. The number of times and the time intervals at which the method according to the invention is carried out are not limited and depend on the regionally specific conditions of a given gas network section and can be adapted accordingly. A system according to the invention for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section comprises a gas network section in which at least one consumer or at least one producer is arranged with a control circuit, a data transmission device, and measuring sensors for determining gas quality, as well as at least one further consumer or at least one further producer with at least one control circuit and a data transmission device; and a central unit. The measuring sensors are internal measuring sensors of the at least one consumer or the at least one producer. The system according to the invention is configured to carry out the method according to the invention.Furthermore, the system according to the invention can also include two or more consumers or producers, each with a control circuit, a device for transmitting data, and measuring sensors for determining gas quality, as well as two or more further consumers or producers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5 schematically show embodiments of the method and embodiments of the system. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in that gas network section. Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in that gas network section. Figure 3 shows a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a system for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in that gas network section. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a gas burner according to one embodiment of a consumer with measuring sensors.Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a gas burner according to an embodiment of a consumer without measuring sensors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND PREFERRED EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION Examples and embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Identical or similar elements in the figures may be designated with the same reference numerals, but sometimes they may be designated with different reference numerals. It should be emphasized that the present invention is in no way limited or restricted to the embodiments and their features described below, but also includes modifications of the embodiments, in particular those which are covered by modifying the features of the described examples or by combining one or more features of the described examples within the scope of protection of the claims. Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section. In step S101, the gas quality in a gas network section is determined by at least one consumer or at least one producer. The determination of the gas quality in step S101 is performed directly by the at least one consumer or at least one producer using internal measuring sensors. The gas quality can be determined in any operating state of the at least one consumer or at least one producer. In a preferred embodiment, however, the gas quality can be determined in step S101 specifically during operation of the at least one consumer or at least one producer. By having the gas quality determined directly by the at least one consumer or the at least one producer, the method according to the invention advantageously eliminates the need for additional measuring points, measuring devices, or even modifications, for example to gas meters. The method according to the invention thus allows for the simple determination and efficient monitoring of the gas quality in a gas network section. In a preferred embodiment, determining the gas properties in step S101 can include determining a concentration of an additional gas and / or determining a calorific value. The type of additive gas is not restricted according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the additive gas can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, sulfur, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and propane. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the additive gas can be hydrogen. Motivated by the long-term goal of reducing CO2 emissions, the injection of climate-neutral hydrogen as an additive gas into the existing natural gas network is planned, with volume fractions of up to 40%. Hydrogen differs significantly in its properties from natural gas as the base gas. For example, hydrogen has a lower calorific value per unit volume compared to natural gas. This means that to achieve comparable performance, the volume flow rate of fuel gas must be increased when hydrogen is added. Furthermore, the combustion reaction kinetics are altered compared to pure natural gas, significantly affecting aspects such as flame speed, length, and geometry, as well as flame temperature, ignition properties, and heat radiation.In particular, the determination of the gas quality by the at least one consumer or the at least one producer is important with regard to possible fluctuations in the hydrogen concentration in the gas network section and the resulting potentially highly variable calorific value. In step S102, the gas composition determined in step S101 and the position data of the at least one consumer or the at least one producer are transmitted in real time to a central unit. In a preferred embodiment, the position data can be anonymized, i.e., for example, only include the assignment of a gas connection to a section of the gas network. The procedure further includes step S103, in which the central unit determines the gas quality in the gas network section based on the transmitted gas quality and the location data. This can be done, in particular, by combining the gas quality determined by the at least one consumer or the at least one producer with the transmitted location data. In a preferred embodiment, the central unit can additionally store information about the characteristics of the gas network section. Then, in step S103, the gas characteristics can be determined taking into account this information. Information about the characteristics of the gas network section could, for example, include information about the grouping of devices, i.e., consumers and / or producers, within that section. The procedure further includes step S104 of the central unit issuing the gas quality information in the gas network section to at least one other consumer or at least one other producer in the gas network section. And the procedure includes step S105 of adjusting a regulation of at least one other consumer or at least one other producer in the gas network section based on the gas quality supplied. In a preferred embodiment, adjusting the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step S105 can comprise: deriving a control variable for use by the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer based on the output gas quality. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one additional consumer can be a gas burner, and the control variable for use can be a combustion control variable. This is described in more detail, for example, with reference to Fig. 5. In a further preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step S105 may include: switching off the at least one additional consumer when an internal limit value is exceeded or fallen below due to the gas quality supplied. In a further preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the control of the at least one further consumer or the at least one further producer in step S105 may include: comparing internal measured values ​​of the at least one further consumer or the at least one further producer with the output gas quality to detect and / or compensate for deviations of internal measuring sensors. In a further preferred embodiment, the adjustment of the control of the at least one additional consumer or the at least one additional producer in step S105 may include: stabilizing the gas quality in the gas network section by the at least one additional producer when a specified limit value for the gas network section is exceeded by the emitted gas quality. In a further preferred embodiment, the method can additionally include the step of adjusting the maintenance intervals of the at least one further consumer or the at least one further producer based on the gas quality supplied. In a further preferred embodiment, the gas quality can be determined in step S101 by two or more consumers or producers, and in step S102 the gas qualities, together with the associated position data, can then be transmitted in real time to the central unit. From the transmitted gas qualities and position data, an average gas quality in the gas network section can then be determined in step S103. In a further preferred embodiment, the method can additionally include the step of determining the difference between the gas properties transmitted in step S102 based on a defined limit value and, if the defined limit value is exceeded or not met, issuing an error message to the corresponding consumer or producer. The defined limit value can preferably specify a maximum deviation of 10% between the transmitted gas properties, and more preferably 5%. In a further preferred embodiment, in step S104 the gas quality can also be output to two or more additional consumers or producers in the gas network section, whereby in step S105 the regulations of the two or more consumers or producers in the gas network section can then be adjusted based on the output gas quality. Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section. System 100 comprises a consumer (V) 102, a central unit (Z) 101, and another consumer 103. The two consumers 102 and 103 are arranged in a common gas network section and each has a control circuit and a data transmission device (IP interface). Consumer 102 also has a measuring sensor for determining gas quality. It should be noted that the embodiment in Fig. 2 includes two consumers, but this is not a limitation. The system could alternatively also include two producers, or even one consumer and one producer. Consumer 102 uses measuring sensors to determine the gas quality GV. This gas quality GV, along with consumer 102's position data P, is transmitted in real time to the central unit 101. Based on the gas quality GV and the position data P, the central unit 101 then determines the gas quality in the gas network section GZ where consumers 102 and 103 are located. The central unit 101 then outputs the gas quality for gas network section GZ to the other consumer 103. Based on this output, consumer 103 adjusts its control accordingly. Fig. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of a system for determining gas quality in a gas network section for controlling consumers and / or producers in the gas network section. In contrast to the system 100 shown in Fig. 2, the system 200 shown in Fig. 3 has a consumer 202b and a producer (E) 202a, each with additional internal measuring sensors for determining gas quality, as well as three further consumers and one further producer 203-206. It should also be noted that alternatively, two consumers or two producers with additional internal measuring sensors, as well as varying numbers of further consumers and producers, are conceivable. Likewise, the total number of consumers and producers with or without additional measuring sensors is not limited. This will depend on the configuration of the respective gas network section. As shown in Fig. 3, a gas quality GV and GE is determined by the consumer 202b and the producer 202a, respectively, and transmitted together with position data P to the central unit 201. The central unit 201 then determines an average gas quality GZ,M from the obtained, individually determined gas qualities GV / Ein in conjunction with the respective position data P. In a preferred embodiment, the average gas quality GZ,M can also be determined taking into account information about the quality of the gas network section stored in the central unit 201. The average gas quality GZ,M is then distributed by the central unit 201 to the other consumers 203, 204, 206 and the producer 205. The regulations of the consumers 203, 204, 206 and the producer 205 are then adjusted based on the distributed average gas quality GZ,Man. According to a preferred embodiment, the central unit 201 can further determine a difference in the transmitted gas properties (GV, GE) based on a defined limit value and, if the defined limit value is exceeded or not reached, issue an error message to the corresponding consumer 202b or producer 202a (dotted line in each case). The defined limit value can preferably specify a maximum deviation of 10% between the transmitted gas properties, more preferably 5%. Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a gas burner according to an embodiment of a consumer with measuring sensors. The gas burner 300 has a combustion chamber 301 in which a combustion process can take place by supplying an air-fuel gas mixture. An ignition electrode 302 projects into the combustion chamber 301. Optionally, an ionization electrode can also be provided in the gas burner 300, which additionally projects into the combustion chamber. An ionization electrode is generally used for flame monitoring. The ignition electrode 302 is connected to a device for generating an ignition voltage 304 in such a way that the ignition electrode 302 can be disconnected from the device for generating the ignition voltage 304. This can be achieved by a switch arrangement 303 connected between the ignition electrode 302 and the device for generating the ignition voltage 304. The switch arrangement 303 can, in particular, be configured such that after disconnection of the ignition electrode 302 from the device for generating the ignition voltage 304, the ignition electrode 302 is switched to a passive electrode. The gas burner 300 also features a measuring device 305. Using the aforementioned thermionic effect, the temperature of the flame at the electrode can be determined via the measuring device 305, thus enabling the measurement of the flame temperature profile at a correspondingly set load value. For this purpose, the switch assembly 303 is connected to the measuring device 305 and can receive signals from it. The measuring device 305 is also connected to a control circuit 306. The combustion in the gas burner 300 can be regulated via the control circuit 306 by means of a burner control 309. The burner control 309 accordingly includes a valve control 310 for changing the proportion of fuel gas in the air-fuel gas mixture, as well as a blower control 311 for varying the air proportion. The control circuit 306 includes, in particular, a device for determining the gas quality 307. The device for determining the gas quality 307 is connected to the measuring device 305 and receives the measured values ​​for determining the flame temperature profiles, which were determined by means of the ignition electrode 302 in the combustion chamber 301. In the device for determining the gas quality 307, the flame temperature profiles are evaluated and the gas quality is determined. The determination of the gas quality can include the determination of the concentration of an additive gas, preferably hydrogen, and the determination of the current calorific value of the fuel gas. Based on the specific gas properties, a control variable for regulating combustion in the gas burner 300 can be derived in the control circuit 306. This control variable can be, for example, an adjusted air-fuel ratio λ and / or a modified volume flow rate. For instance, the addition of hydrogen shifts the maximum laminar flame speed to lower lambda values, and a higher volume flow rate is required to achieve a performance comparable to that of pure natural gas. The control variable is then transmitted by the control circuit 306 to the burner control 309, which can then regulate the combustion in the gas burner 300 accordingly via the valve control 310 and / or the blower control 311 or adapt it to the changed fuel gas. The gas quality determination device 307 is also connected to a data transmission device 308, by means of which the determined gas quality and position data of the gas burner 300 can be transmitted to a central unit, for example, a cloud. The data transmission device 308 can also receive data from the cloud, in particular an error message for checking the measuring sensors of the gas burner 300, i.e., for example, the ignition electrode 302, the measuring device 305, and the gas quality determination device 307. Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a gas burner according to an embodiment of a consumer without measuring sensors. In contrast to the gas burner shown in Fig. 4, the gas burner 400 in Fig. 5 has no measuring device and therefore no device for determining gas quality. Analogous to the gas burner in Fig. 4, the gas burner 400 in Fig. 5 also has a combustion chamber 401 in which a combustion process can take place by supplying an air-fuel gas mixture. An ignition electrode 402 also projects into the combustion chamber 401. Optionally, an ionization electrode can also be provided in the gas burner 400, which additionally projects into the combustion chamber. An ionization electrode is generally used for flame monitoring. The ignition electrode 402 is connected to a device for generating an ignition voltage 404 in such a way that the ignition electrode 402 can be disconnected from the device for generating the ignition voltage 404. This can be achieved by a switch arrangement 403 connected between the ignition electrode 402 and the device for generating the ignition voltage 404. The switch arrangement 403 can, in particular, be configured such that after disconnection of the ignition electrode 402 from the device for generating the ignition voltage 404, the ignition electrode 402 is switched as a passive electrode. The gas burner 400 also features a control circuit 405. The combustion in the gas burner 400 can be regulated via the control circuit 405 by means of a burner control 409. The burner control 409 accordingly includes a valve control 407 for changing the proportion of fuel gas in the air-fuel gas mixture, as well as a fan control 408 for varying the air proportion. The control circuit 405 also has a device for transmitting data 406, by means of which a gas quality in the gas network section can be received from a central unit, for example a cloud. Based on the gas composition in the gas network section, the control circuit 405 can then derive a control variable for regulating the combustion in the gas burner 400. As mentioned above, the control variable can be, for example, an adjusted air-fuel ratio λ and / or a modified volume flow rate. The control variable is then transmitted by the control circuit 405 to the burner control 409, which can then regulate the combustion in the gas burner 400 accordingly via the valve control 407 and / or the blower control 408 or adapt it to the changed fuel gas. It should be noted at this point that although Figs. 4 and 5 each depict embodiments of consumers in a gas network section, the embodiments of the method and the system are equally directed towards consumers and producers in a gas network section. REFERENCE MARK 100 System for determining gas quality 101 Central unit 102 Consumer with measuring sensors 103 Additional consumer 200 System for determining gas quality 201 Central unit 202a Generator with measuring sensors 202b Consumer with measuring sensors 203 Additional consumer 204 Additional consumer 205 Additional generator 206 Additional consumer 300 Gas burner 301 Combustion chamber 302 Ignition electrode 303 Switch assembly 304 Device for generating an ignition voltage 305 Measuring device 306 Control circuit 307 Device for determining gas quality 308 Device for transmitting data 309 Burner control 310 Valve control 311 Blower control 400 Gas burner 401 Combustion chamber 402 Ignition electrode 403 Switch assembly 404 Device for generating an ignition voltage 405 Control circuit 406 Device for transmitting data 407 Valve control 408 Blower control 409 Burner control V Consumer E Generator P Position data GV / E by consumer orProducer-specified gas quality GZ; gas quality determined by central unit in the gas network section GZ,M; averaged gas quality determined by central unit in the gas network section

Claims

Method for determining a gas quality in a gas network section (GZ) for regulating consumers (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) and / or producers (E, 205) in the gas network section, characterized in that the method comprises: a) Determining (S101) a gas quality (GV / E) by at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or at least one producer (E, 202a) in the gas network section, wherein the determination of the gas quality (GV / E) is carried out directly by the at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or the at least one producer (E, 202a) using internal measuring sensors; b) Transmitting (S102) the gas quality (GV / E) determined in step a) and position data (P) of the at least one Consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or of at least one producer (E, 202a) in real time to a central unit (Z, 101, 201);c) Determine (S103) the gas quality in the gas network section (GZ) by the central unit (Z, 101, 201) based on the transmitted gas quality (GV / E) and the position data (P); d) Issue (S104) the gas quality in the gas network section (GZ) by the central unit (Z, 101, 201) to at least one other consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or at least one other producer (E, 205) in the gas network section; and e) Adjust (S105) a control of the at least one other consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or the at least one other producer (E, 205) in the gas network section based on the issued gas quality (GZ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination (S101) of the gas quality (GV / E) in step a) comprises determining a concentration of an additional gas and / or determining a calorific value. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the additive gas is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, sulfur, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and propane. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in step a) the gas quality (GV / E) is determined during operation of the at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or of the at least one producer (E, 202a). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central unit (Z, 101, 201) additionally stores information about the condition of the gas network section and in step c) the determination (S103) of the gas condition (GZ) is carried out taking into account the information about the condition of the gas network section. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjustment (S105) of the control of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) in step e) comprises: deriving a control variable for use by the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or the at least one further producer (E, 205) based on the output gas quality (GZ). Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) is a gas burner (400), and the control variable for the use is a control variable for combustion. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adjustment (S105) of the control of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) in step e) comprises: switching off the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) when an internal limit value is exceeded or fallen below by the emitted gas quality (GZ). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment (S105) of the control of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) in step e) comprises: comparing internal measured values ​​of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) with the output gas quality (GZ) for the detection and / or compensation of deviations of internal measuring sensors (302, 305, 307). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the adjustment (S105) of the control of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) in step e) comprises: stabilizing the gas quality in the gas network section by the at least one further producer (E, 205) when a defined limit value for the gas network section is exceeded by the emitted gas quality (GZ). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the method additionally comprises the step: adjusting maintenance intervals of the at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or of the at least one further producer (E, 205) based on the output gas quality (GZ). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the position data (P) of the at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or of the at least one producer (E, 202a) are anonymized position data. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in step a) the gas quality (GV / E) is determined by two or more consumers (V, 102, 202b, 300) or producers (E, 202a), wherein in step b) the gas qualities (GV, GE) determined in step a) and the position data (P) of the two or more consumers (V, 102, 202b, 300) or producers (E, 202a) are transmitted to the central unit (Z, 101, 201) in real time, and in step c) an average gas quality (GZ,M) in the gas network section is determined by the central unit (Z, 101, 201). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method additionally comprises the step: determining a difference of the gas properties (GV, GE) transmitted in step b) based on a defined limit value and, if the defined limit value is exceeded or not reached, issuing an error message by the central unit (Z, 101, 201). Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in step d) the gas quality (GZ) is issued to two or more further consumers (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or producers (E, 205) in the gas network section, wherein in step e) the regulations of the two or more further consumers (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or producers (E, 205) in the gas network section are adapted on the basis of the issued gas quality (GZ). System (100, 200) for determining gas quality in a gas network section (GZ) for controlling consumers (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) and / or producers (E, 205) in the gas network section, wherein the system comprises: a gas network section in which at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or at least one producer (E, 202a) is equipped with a control circuit (306), a data transmission device (308), and measuring sensors for determining gas quality (302, 305, 307), as well as at least one further consumer (V, 103, 203, 204, 206, 400) or at least one further producer (E, 205) is equipped with at least one control circuit (405) and a data transmission device. (406) are arranged;and a central unit (Z, 101, 201), characterized in that the measuring sensor is an internal measuring sensor of the at least one consumer (V, 102, 202b, 300) or of the at least one producer (E, 202a), and the system (100, 200) is set up to carry out a method according to at least one of claims 1 to 15.

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