Remotely operated automatic pressure control system and method for implementing such a system

Abstract

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: REMOTELY OPERATED AUTOMATIC PRESSURE REGULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A SYSTEM The remotely operated automatic pressure regulation system (100) between an upstream gas line (101) and a downstream gas line (102) comprises: - a pilot-operated regulator (105), connected, on the one hand, to the upstream gas line and, on the other hand, to the downstream gas line, - a pilot-operated mechanism (110) for the pilot-operated regulator, - at least two direct-acting regulators (130, 135) each configured to produce a drive pressure as a function of a predetermined pilot pressure, at least two pilot pressures being different,- a drive line (115) connecting at least two said direct-acting regulators and the pilot mechanism of the piloted regulator, and - a remotely operated mechanism (160) for selecting the pilot pressure to be implemented, configured to pneumatically activate the direct-acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot line. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: REMOTELY OPERATED AUTOMATIC PRESSURE REGULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a remotely operated system for automatic pressure regulation between an upstream gas pipeline and a downstream gas pipeline, and to a method for implementing such a system. It applies, in particular and without limitation, to the field of controlling pressure reduction stations located at the interface between two gas transmission networks. State of the art

[0002] Pressure reduction stations are devices positioned at the interface between gas transport networks operating at different pressures. The first of these networks, called the transport network, carries gas from a production site to the second of these networks, called the distribution network, in which consumption is variable.

[0003] Due to this variable consumption, there is a need to stabilize the pressure in the second network around a nominal pressure suitable for the proper functioning of the gas transport system.

[0004] The massive arrival of renewable gases in the networks is disrupting the role of the gas transport / distribution interface.

[0005] In order to maximize the use of stored gas in pipelines for biomethane, distribution network operators are required to request more appropriate pressure settings (for example, for weekends or nighttime). The ability to adjust network pressure more responsively also allows for smaller safety margins, thus maximizing the capacity of the distribution network for biomethane.

[0006] Furthermore, some substations may end up delivering particularly low flow rates at certain times of the year, which promotes under-metering. Lowering the delivery setpoint is one solution to limit low-flow deliveries by putting certain substations on standby.

[0007] To stabilize this pressure around a variable nominal pressure and meet the objectives presented above, remotely operated pressure regulation systems are currently implemented. These electronic systems are complex, therefore difficult to install and maintain, and, in the event of a power supply failure, at least partially, they do not allow control of the distribution network pressure.

[0008] Object of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0010] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a remotely operated system for automatic pressure regulation between an upstream gas pipeline and a downstream gas pipeline, which comprises: - a pilot-operated regulator, connected on one side to the upstream gas pipeline and on the other side to the downstream gas pipeline, - a pilot mechanism for the pilot-operated regulator configured to, as a function of a drive pressure, actuate the pilot-operated regulator to increase or decrease the flow rate of gas transferred between the upstream and downstream gas lines, - at least two direct-acting regulators, each configured to produce a drive pressure as a function of a predetermined pilot pressure, said drive pressures being implemented by the pilot mechanism, with at least two pilot pressures being different, - a drive system connecting at least two so-called direct-acting regulators and the control mechanism of the piloted regulator and - a remotely operated pilot pressure selection mechanism to be implemented configured to pneumatically activate the direct-acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot line. - Thanks to these features, the system (which can be positioned at a pressure-reducing station) offers multiple pilot pressures, resulting in downstream pressure regulation solely through mechanical and pneumatic means. This design ensures an appropriate response in the event of a power failure, simplified manufacturing, and easy implementation for operators responsible for installation and operation. - In some embodiments, the remote-operated selection mechanism includes a set of solenoid valves configured to selectively isolate the direct-acting regulators according to a command received by the remote-operated selection mechanism. - These embodiments allow for the implementation of a simple mechanism for enforcing the selected control instruction. - In some embodiments, the direct-acting regulator associated with the highest pilot pressure is associated with a solenoid valve that is open by default. - These embodiments make it possible to protect the system from an electronic failure because, by default, the highest pilot pressure is applied to the downstream network. In some embodiments, at least one solenoid valve is a pulse width modulating solenoid valve.

[0011] These embodiments make it possible, in the event of a pressure differential that is too large compared to the selected setpoint pressure, to prevent the flow implemented from exceeding the maximum flow allowed by the meter of the downstream network. - In embodiments, the pulse width modulation solenoid valve, associated with the direct acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot pressure, is configured to perform a succession of openings and closings according to opening intervals of increasing durations. - These embodiments make it possible, in the event of a pressure differential that is too large compared to the selected setpoint pressure, to prevent the flow implemented from exceeding the maximum flow allowed by the meter of the downstream network. - In some embodiments, at least one direct-acting regulator includes a piloting mechanism comprising: - a regulating chamber having an inlet for gas from the downstream line, - a movable membrane in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a volume of the regulating chamber connected to the inlet for gas from the downstream line - a spring configured to activate the direct-acting regulator to increase or decrease the gas flow at the outlet of said regulator so as to, depending on the pressure in the downstream line, increase or decrease the associated motorization pressure.

[0012] - These embodiments allow for downstream pressure regulation by purely pneumatic means. - In some embodiments, the control mechanism of the main flow-controlled regulator comprises: - a regulating chamber comprising an inlet for gas from the drive line and an inlet for gas from the downstream line, - a movable membrane in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a first volume connected to the gas inlet from the drive line and a second volume connected to the gas inlet from the downstream line and

[0013] a spring configured to open or close the piloted regulator by default.

[0014] These embodiments allow for downstream pressure regulation by purely pneumatic and mechanical means. In particular embodiments, the system of the present invention includes a calibration mechanism configured to fix a specific pilot pressure for the associated direct regulator.

[0015] These embodiments make it possible to adapt the pilot pressure.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for implementing a remotely operated automatic pressure regulation system between an upstream gas pipeline and a downstream gas pipeline, which is the subject of the present invention, and which comprises: - a calibration step for at least two direct-acting regulators according to different pilot pressures, - a remote selection step for a pilot pressure to be implemented and - a pneumatic connection step of the direct-acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot pressure.

[0017] The goals, advantages and special characteristics of the process which is the subject of the present invention being similar to those of the system which is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the system and method that are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 represents, schematically, a first particular embodiment of the system that is the subject of the present invention, - Figure [Fig. 2] schematically represents, in the form of a flowchart, a particular sequence of steps in the process that is the subject of the present invention; - Figure [Fig. 3] schematically represents the evolution of the flow rate as a function of the pressure variation in a downstream pipe. - Figure 4 schematically represents the evolution of the flow rate during the implementation of a pulse-width modulated solenoid valve and - [Fig.5] schematically represents a second particular embodiment of the system which is the subject of the present invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0019] The present description is given by way of non-limiting grammar, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0020] It should be noted from the outset that the figures are not to scale.

[0021] Figure [1], which is not to scale, shows a schematic view of a mode of the implementation of system 100, the subject of the present invention. This remotely operated system 100 for automatic pressure regulation between an upstream gas line 101 and a downstream gas line 102 comprises: - a pilot-operated regulator 105, connected, on the one hand, to the upstream gas pipeline and, on the other hand, to the downstream gas pipeline, - a control mechanism 110 for the pilot-operated regulator configured to, depending on a motorization pressure, actuate the pilot-operated regulator to increase or decrease the flow of gas transferred between the upstream gas line and the downstream gas line, - at least two direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135, each configured to produce a drive pressure as a function of a predetermined pilot pressure, said drive pressures being implemented by the pilot mechanism, at least two pilot pressures being different, - a drive line 115 connecting at least two of said direct-acting regulators and the pilot mechanism of the piloted regulator and - a 160 remote-operated pilot pressure selection mechanism to be implemented configured to pneumatically activate the direct-acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot line.

[0022] The upstream gas pipeline 101 corresponds to any pipeline generally suitable for transporting gas from a production site or for long-distance gas transport. Such an upstream gas pipeline 101 generally has a higher pressure than the pressure implemented in the downstream gas pipeline 102. Such a pressure is, for example, between 20 and 100 bar.

[0023] The downstream gas line 102 corresponds to any line generally suitable for transporting gas to domestic or industrial consumption sites. The downstream gas line 102 is configured to operate at a pressure, for example, between 2 and 16 bar.

[0024] The upstream and downstream networks are not represented in [Fig. 1] due to the variety of possible configurations.

[0025] The main point of passage between the upstream gas line 101 and the downstream gas line 102 is the pilot-operated regulator 105. The pilot-operated regulator 105 has the function of reducing or increasing the flow in the downstream gas line 102 so that the pressure prevailing in this line 102 remains within an operating range necessary for the proper functioning of the downstream network.

[0026] Such a piloted regulator 105 is, for example, a discharge-piloted regulator or an inlet-piloted regulator (normally open or normally closed).

[0027] The pilot-operated regulator 105 is actuation achieved by the pilot-operated regulator's control mechanism 110. This control mechanism 110 actuates the pilot-operated regulator 105 in such a way as to balance the pressure in the downstream gas line 102 with a pilot pressure.

[0028] This balancing is achieved, in the context of the present invention, pneumatically and mechanically without requiring electronic tools.

[0029] In preferred embodiments, the control mechanism 110 of the controlled regulator comprises: - a regulating chamber 111 comprising an inlet for gas from the drive line and an inlet for gas from the downstream line, - a movable membrane 112 in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a first volume 113 connected to the gas inlet from the drive line and a second volume 114 connected to the gas inlet from the downstream line, the movement of which causes the gas flow rate at the outlet of said regulator to increase or decrease by activating the pilot-operated regulator 105 and - a spring 116 configured to open or close by default the piloted regulator 105.

[0030] In such embodiments, initially, the spring 116 is located in a position corresponding to a totally closed state of the piloted regulator 105.

[0031] In this way, when the motorization pressure is greater than the sum of the downstream pressure and the force exerted by the spring 116, the diaphragm 112 is displaced (or deformed), causing the pilot regulator 105 to open.

[0032] In variants, the gas flow rate in the pilot mechanism 110 can be adjusted by a pair of flow control valves, 116 and 117 (of the needle valve type, for example). The higher the flow rate in the pilot mechanism 110, the more responsive the piloted regulator 105 is, but the more unstable this regulator is.

[0033] The pilot line 115 is connected to at least two direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135. In [Fig. 1], three such direct-acting regulators are shown. In [Fig. 5], two such direct-acting regulators are shown.

[0034] At least one direct-acting regulator 130 includes a piloting mechanism 150 comprising: - a regulating chamber 151 comprising an inlet for gas from the downstream pipeline, - a movable membrane 152 in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a volume 153 from the regulating chamber connected to the inlet for gas from the downstream pipe and - a spring 154 configured to activate the direct-acting regulator 130 to increase or decrease the gas flow at the outlet of said regulator so as to, depending on the pressure in the downstream line, increase or decrease the associated motorization pressure.

[0035] The function of the direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135, is to allow the adjustment of the motorization pressure according to the pilot pressure associated with the direct-acting regulator, 130 and 135, and the pressure of the downstream line 102.

[0036] The number of direct-acting regulators defines the number of pilot pressures that can subsequently be implemented in a remotely operated manner.

[0037] Each pilot pressure can be obtained by implementing different types of direct-acting regulators, implementing different springs or implementing calibration means, 140 and 145, configured to produce different calibrations.

[0038] At the inlet, the direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135, are preferably pneumatically connected directly or indirectly to the upstream gas line 101. Each direct-acting regulator, 130 and 135, can be selectively isolated from the upstream gas line 101. Such isolation can be achieved by the use of valves, 165 and 170.

[0039] In variants, the system 100 comprises a number of valves corresponding to the number of direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135. At least one valve may be of the open type by default, at least one such valve being associated with the direct-acting regulator whose activation causes the pilot-operated regulator 105 to open.

[0040] In preferred embodiments, the system 100 comprises a number of valves corresponding to the number of direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135, less one. In such embodiments, a direct-acting regulator 130 acts as the default direct-acting regulator. Such a direct-acting regulator 130 is preferably associated with the lowest pilot pressure.

[0041] To associate a pilot pressure with each direct-acting regulator, 130 and 135, a calibration mechanism, 140 and 145, can be implemented. Such a calibration mechanism corresponds, for example, to a knob whose actuation deforms a spring 154 implemented in a piloting mechanism 150 of the direct-acting regulator.

[0042] In variants, other calibration mechanisms, 140 and 145, can be implemented. For example, calibration can be performed digitally via a user interface allowing the input of a pilot pressure value.

[0043] The selection of the pilot pressure to be operated for the downstream line 102 is carried out by the implementation of the remote-operated mechanism 160 for selecting the pilot pressure to be implemented, configured to, depending on the selected pilot pressure, pneumatically activate the direct-acting regulator, 130 or 135, corresponding to the selected pilot pressure.

[0044] The remotely operated mechanism 160 includes a link (not shown) to a data network, cellular or Internet, for example, so as to receive activation commands for one or the other of the pilot pressures.

[0045] This remotely operated mechanism 160 associates, with a representative identifier of a pilot pressure to be actuated contained in an activation command frame, the direct acting regulators, 130 and 135, of the system 100, as well as the means of pneumatically isolating these direct acting regulators, 130 and 135, from the upstream gas line 101.

[0046] Such means correspond, for example, to solenoid valves 162, 165, and 170. Thus, for example, when the direct-acting regulator 130 is to be activated, the two solenoid valves 165 and 170 are closed and solenoid valve 162 is open. When the Direct acting regulator 135 must be activated, both solenoid valves, 162 and 170, are closed and solenoid valve 165 is open.

[0047] In particular embodiments, the remotely operated selection mechanism 160 comprises a set of solenoid valves, 162 and 165, configured to selectively isolate the direct-acting regulators, 130 and 135, according to a command received by the remotely operated selection mechanism.

[0048] In particular embodiments, the direct-acting regulator 130 associated with the lowest pilot pressure is not associated with a solenoid valve or is associated with a solenoid valve that is open by default.

[0049] In particular embodiments, at least one solenoid valve, 165 and / or 170, is a pulse width modulation solenoid valve.

[0050] In particular embodiments, the pulse width modulated solenoid valve, 162 or 165, associated with the direct acting regulator, 130 and 135, corresponding to the selected pilot pressure, is configured to perform a succession of openings and closings according to opening intervals of increasing durations.

[0051] Such embodiments are suitable for the use case represented by Figure 300 in [Fig. 3]. In Figure 300: - a first curve 305 represents the pressure in the downstream pipe 102 and - a second curve 310 represents the flow through the piloted regulator 105.

[0052] Following the first curve 305, it can be observed that, in this use case, the initial pressure selected is a high pressure. Selecting a lower pilot pressure activates the pilot-operated regulator 105, which reduces the flow rate (visible on the second curve 310).

[0053] Subsequently, the high pressure is selected, resulting in the activation of the piloted regulator 105 and a significant increase in the flow through the piloted regulator 105.

[0054] In such a use case, the flow through the piloted regulator 105 exceeds the maximum value allowed for the flow 315 as defined by the system meter 100.

[0055] The implementation of a pulse-width modulated solenoid valve avoids such a problem. Such an implementation is represented by a graph 400 in [Fig.4].

[0056] In this graph 400: - a curve representing the flow rate 425 of gas in the piloted regulator 105 and - a succession of intervals, 405, 410, 415 and 420, of opening, of increasing durations, of the solenoid valve.

[0057] As can be seen in this graph 400, such a pulse width modulation valve makes it possible to never exceed 100% of the maximum flow allowed for the system 100.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a particular embodiment of method 200 for implementing a remotely operated automatic pressure regulation system between an upstream gas pipeline and a downstream gas pipeline, which comprises: - a step 205 of calibrating at least two direct-acting regulators according to different pilot pressures, - a step 210 of remote selection of a pilot pressure to be implemented and - a step 215 of pneumatic connection of the direct acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot pressure.

[0059] Embodiments of this process 200 are described with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4.

Claims

Demands

1. A remotely operated automatic pressure regulation system (100) between an upstream gas line (101) and a downstream gas line (102), comprising: - a pilot-operated regulator (105) connected, on the one hand, to the upstream gas line and, on the other hand, to the downstream gas line, - a pilot-operated regulator control mechanism (110) configured to, as a function of a drive pressure, actuate the pilot-operated regulator to increase or decrease the flow of gas transferred between the upstream and downstream gas lines, - at least two direct-acting regulators (130, 135) each configured to produce a drive pressure as a function of a predetermined pilot pressure, said drive pressures being implemented by the pilot-operated mechanism, at least two pilot pressures being different, - a drive line (115) connecting at least two of said direct-acting regulators and the pilot-operated regulator control mechanism,- a remotely operated pilot pressure selection mechanism (160) configured to pneumatically activate the direct-acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot line, and characterized in that the remotely operated selection mechanism (160) comprises a set of solenoid valves (165) configured to selectively isolate the direct-acting regulators (130, 135) according to a command received by the remotely operated selection mechanism, and at least one solenoid valve is a pulse-width modulation solenoid valve.

2. System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the direct-acting regulator (135) associated with the highest pilot pressure is associated with a solenoid valve that is open by default.

3. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pulse width modulation solenoid valve (165), associated with the direct acting regulator (130, 135) corresponding to the selected pilot pressure, is configured to perform a succession of openings and closings at opening intervals of increasing durations.

4. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one direct-acting regulator (130) comprises a piloting mechanism (150) including: - a regulating chamber (151) having an inlet for gas from the downstream line, - a diaphragm (152) movable in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a volume (153) of the regulating chamber connected to the inlet for gas from the downstream line and - a spring (154) configured to activate the direct-acting regulator (130) to increase or decrease the gas flow at the outlet of said regulator so as to, depending on the pressure in the downstream line, increase or decrease the associated drive pressure.

5. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the piloting mechanism (110) of the piloted regulator comprises: - a regulating chamber (111) having an inlet for gas from the drive line and an inlet for gas from the downstream line, - a diaphragm (112) movable in the regulating chamber configured to isolate a first volume (113) connected to the inlet for gas from the drive line and a second volume (114) connected to the inlet for gas from the downstream line and whose movement causes the increase or decrease of the gas flow at the outlet of said regulator by activation of the piloted regulator (105) and - a spring (116) configured to open or close the piloted regulator by default.

6. System (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which includes a calibration mechanism (140, 145) configured to fix, for the associated direct-acting regulator, a predetermined pilot pressure.

7. A method (200) for implementing a remotely operated automatic pressure regulation system between an upstream gas pipeline and a downstream gas pipeline according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises: - a step (205) of calibrating at least two direct-acting regulators according to different pilot pressures, - a step (210) of remotely selecting a pilot pressure to be implemented, - a step (215) of pneumatic connection of the direct acting regulator corresponding to the selected pilot pressure, and - a step of system implementation.

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