Output method, output device and program

Abstract

To properly grasp the temporal transition of a leakage amount of steam in a future steam trap.SOLUTION: An output method in an output device which outputs information about a leakage amount of steam in a steam trap includes the steps of: acquiring first information indicating the temporal transition of a leakage amount of steam in the most recent first period of the first steam trap; acquiring multiple pieces of second information indicating the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam in a second period longer than the first period of the multiple second steam traps in the same type as the first steam trap; extracting third information in which the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam in a third period with the same length as the first period is similar to the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam indicated by the first information in the multiple pieces of second information; and outputting the third information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for outputting information indicating the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap. [Background technology]

[0002] In a plant equipped with a steam piping system, condensate (drain) generated by heat exchange or heat radiation is discharged to the outside of the piping system by a steam trap installed at an appropriate position in the piping system. If the performance of the steam trap is impaired due to aging deterioration or malfunction, the steam in the piping system will leak to the outside through the steam trap, resulting in unnecessary steam loss. For this reason, periodically, such as once a year, multiple staff members are made to bring in a measurement diagnostic device (hereinafter, diagnostic device) such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, and share the task of diagnosing approximately 1,000 steam traps in a day.

[0003] Specifically, the diagnoser measures the vibration and temperature of the steam trap in response to operation by a person in charge, calculates the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap based on the measurement data, and diagnoses the condition of the steam trap (e.g., no leakage, small leakage, medium leakage, large leakage, blowing, etc.) based on the calculated amount of steam leakage.

[0004] However, manual diagnosis of steam traps using a diagnostic device takes a lot of time, so some plants have adopted a system in which a measuring device is permanently installed on each steam trap and measurement data required for diagnosis is transmitted to a server device, where each steam trap is diagnosed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-84418 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a steam trap is used for a long period of time, uneven wear can occur in the steam trap due to impurities such as rust and scale formed by the deposition of inorganic salt compounds such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in the steam and condensate that flow into the steam trap. When uneven wear occurs in the steam trap, the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap increases according to the degree of uneven wear. The impurity content may increase at an accelerated rate. As a result, the degree of uneven wear occurring in the steam trap may increase at an accelerated rate. Even if the impurity content is constant, the degree of uneven wear occurring in the steam trap differs depending on the opening and closing method of the steam trap valve (hereinafter referred to as the type). Therefore, it is difficult to accurately predict the future change in the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap over time.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an output method, output device, and program that can appropriately grasp the future change in the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An output method according to one embodiment of the present invention is an output method in an output device that outputs information regarding steam leakage amount from a steam trap, and includes obtaining first information indicating the time progression of steam leakage amount from a first steam trap in a most recent first period, obtaining multiple second information indicating the time progression of steam leakage amount from multiple second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period, extracting third information from the multiple second information indicating the time progression of steam leakage amount from a third period the same length as the first period, and outputting the third information.

[0009] In this configuration, third information in which the change over time of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to the change over time of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information is extracted from the plurality of second information, and the third information is output. Therefore, among the changes over time of the steam leakage amount indicated by the outputted third information, the change over time of the steam leakage amount after the third period can be appropriately understood as the change over time of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future after the first period.

[0010] In the above output method, the method may further include calculating an approximation function indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap based on the first information, calculating fourth information indicating the time progression of an average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period onwards indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards indicated by the third information, and outputting the fourth information.

[0011] According to this configuration, the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap from the first period onwards and the steam leakage amount from the second steam trap from the third period onwards, which are indicated by the approximate function, indicated by the output fourth information, can be understood as another example of the future time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap.

[0012] In the above output method, fifth information indicating that a rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage during the second period is the largest among the plurality of second information, and the fifth information may be output.

[0013] According to this configuration, it is possible to compare the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap, as indicated by the output third information, with the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap which has the largest increase rate of the amount of steam leakage during the second period among the multiple second steam traps, as indicated by the output fifth information.

[0014] In the above output method, the method may further include calculating an approximation function indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap based on the first information, calculating sixth information indicating the time progression of an average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period onwards indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards indicated by the fifth information, and outputting the sixth information.

[0015] According to this configuration, the output sixth information indicates the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap from the first period onwards, as indicated by the approximation function, and the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards from the second steam trap which has the largest increase rate of steam leakage amount in the second period among the multiple second steam traps, and this average value can be understood as another example of the future time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap.

[0016] In the above output method, seventh information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap indicated by the approximation function may be output.

[0017] According to this configuration, the temporal progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap after the first period, as indicated by the approximate function shown in the output seventh information, can be understood as another example of the temporal progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future.

[0018] An output device according to another embodiment of the present invention is an output device that outputs information regarding the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap, and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from a first steam trap in a most recent first period, a second acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second information indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period, an extraction unit that extracts third information from the plurality of second information, the time progression of the steam leakage amount in a third period the same length as the first period, which is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information, and an output unit that outputs the third information.

[0019] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned output method can be obtained.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for an output device that outputs information regarding the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap, and causes the output device to execute a process of acquiring first information indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from a first steam trap in a most recent first period, acquiring a plurality of second information indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period, extracting third information from the plurality of second information indicating the time progression of the steam leakage amount from a third period the same length as the first period that is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information, and outputting the third information.

[0021] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned output method can be obtained. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an output method, an output device, and a program that can appropriately grasp the future change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a steam trap management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a first steam trap. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow during diagnostic work in a steam trap management system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a diagnostic process. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a report creation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first report showing a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a first steam trap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, elements with the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate the same or corresponding elements.

[0025] <System configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of steam trap management system 100. Steam trap management system 100 includes a diagnostic device 1, an information processing device 2 such as a notebook computer or a tablet terminal, a measuring device 3, and a server device 4 (output device) such as a cloud server.

[0026] The diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2 can communicate with each other by any communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The information processing device 2 and the server device 4 can communicate with each other by any communication method such as IP via any communication network 9 such as a public line network or the Internet.

[0027] In plants equipped with steam piping systems, multiple steam traps are installed at appropriate locations in the piping systems to discharge condensate (drain) generated within the piping systems to the outside of the piping systems. If the performance of a steam trap is impaired due to aging or malfunction, the steam in the piping system will leak to the outside through the steam trap, resulting in unnecessary steam loss.

[0028] In addition, impurities such as rust and scale that have accumulated in the piping due to reactions between the steam and the piping material over a long period of time can flow through the steam trap, causing uneven wear on the steam trap and impairing its performance. Scale is a precipitate of inorganic salt compounds such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in the steam and condensate that flow into the piping.

[0029] For this reason, work to diagnose multiple steam traps (hereinafter, referred to as diagnostic work) is performed periodically, such as once a year. Note that the diagnostic work does not have to be performed periodically, and may be performed irregularly. The diagnostic work is shared among multiple workers. Each worker carries diagnostic device 1 and moves around the plant, using diagnostic device 1 to sequentially diagnose one or more steam traps for which he or she is responsible.

[0030] If it is permitted to bring an information processing device 2 such as a laptop computer into the plant, the worker can carry the information processing device 2 along with the diagnostic device 1 and diagnose each steam trap in turn. In this case, the diagnostic device 1 can transmit the diagnosis results of each steam trap in real time to the server device 4 via the information processing device 2 and communication network 9. On the other hand, if it is prohibited to bring the information processing device 2 into the plant, the worker stores the information processing device 2 in a waiting area such as a business car or a field office, carries only the diagnostic device 1, and uses the diagnostic device 1 to diagnose the multiple steam traps for which he is responsible in turn.

[0031] For example, diagnostic device 1 measures the vibration and temperature of a steam trap in response to operation by an operator. Based on the vibration and temperature measurement data, diagnostic device 1 diagnoses whether the steam trap is in a normal state or a defective state. Diagnostic device 1 also calculates the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap based on the vibration and temperature measurement data. Diagnostic device 1 diagnoses the condition of the steam trap (e.g., no leakage, small leakage, medium leakage, large leakage, blowing, etc.) based on the calculated amount of steam leakage.

[0032] The diagnosis results for each steam trap are stored in memory within diagnostic device 1. After the worker returns to the waiting area, diagnostic device 1 transmits the diagnosis results for the multiple steam traps that the worker is responsible for, which are stored in memory within diagnostic device 1, to server device 4 via information processing device 2 and communication network 9.

[0033] In a large-scale plant, there may be thousands or tens of thousands of steam traps installed. In such cases, it would take a lot of time for an operator to manually diagnose each steam trap using diagnostic device 1. For this reason, some plants permanently install measuring device 3, which can communicate with server device 4 via communication network 9, on each steam trap.

[0034] Measurement device 3 measures the vibration and temperature of each steam trap periodically, for example once a month, and transmits the vibration and temperature measurement data to server device 4. In this case, server device 4, like diagnostic device 1, diagnoses each steam trap based on the received measurement data.

[0035] Server device 4 manages various information such as information indicating the diagnostic results of multiple steam traps received from diagnostic device 1, measurement data received from measuring device 3, and information indicating the diagnostic results of each steam trap diagnosed based on the measurement data.

[0036] Any information processing device (not shown) having access rights to the server device 4 can access the server device 4 via the communication network 9. This makes it possible for the information processing device to view various information managed by the server device 4.

[0037] <Configuration of Server Device 4> Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the server device 4. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 4. The server device 4 has a communication unit 46, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 41.

[0038] The communication unit 46 is configured using a communication circuit compatible with any communication method such as IP, etc. The communication unit 46 communicates with external devices such as the information processing device 2 via the communication network 9.

[0039] The storage unit 45 is configured using any rewritable storage device such as a HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 45 stores device information 51 of each plant in association with identification information of one or more plants.

[0040] The plant equipment information 51 is information relating to a plurality of steam traps and piping systems managed by the plant. The plant equipment information 51 includes identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information for each of the plurality of steam traps managed by the plant. The plant equipment information 51 also includes piping characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the piping that constitutes each piping system managed by the plant, and information indicating the time when the equipment information 51 was stored in the server device 4 (hereinafter, registration time information).

[0041] The piping characteristic information includes group identification information indicating each piping system, and a function indicating the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap in a normal state that is installed in the piping that constitutes each piping system (hereinafter referred to as the leakage amount characteristic function). The leakage amount characteristic function is determined in advance based on experimental values, etc. The leakage amount characteristic function indicates a first-order function (linear function) in which the amount of steam leakage increases linearly with the passage of time. The rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage indicated by the leakage amount characteristic function differs depending on the material of the piping that constitutes each piping system.

[0042] For example, on a pipe made of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel), a layer of steam oxide scale made of magnetite and a layer of steam oxide scale made of spinel oxide accumulate flatly with approximately the same thickness. Although the steam oxide scale accumulates thickly on a low alloy steel pipe, the steam oxide scale has the characteristic that it is unlikely to peel off from the pipe.

[0043] On the other hand, in piping made of austenitic stainless steel, steam oxide scale accumulates in a complex shape due to the influence of the chromium-enriched layer in the piping, and as a result, steam oxide scale is more likely to peel off from piping made of austenitic stainless steel than from piping made of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel).

[0044] Therefore, the rate of increase in the steam leakage rate indicated by the leakage rate characteristic function of a piping system composed of austenitic stainless steel piping (the slope of the leakage rate characteristic function) is set to be greater than the rate of increase in the steam leakage rate indicated by the leakage rate characteristic function of a piping system composed of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel) piping.

[0045] Management ledger 52 corresponding to each of one or more diagnostic works in each plant is stored in storage unit 45 in association with identification information of each of the one or more plants. Management ledger 52 corresponding to a diagnostic work is management ledger 52 that includes information necessary for diagnosing each of a plurality of steam traps that are targets of diagnosis in the diagnostic work.

[0046] The management ledger 52 includes information indicating the time when the diagnostic work is performed (hereinafter, referred to as time information). The time information is expressed, for example, by the date when the diagnostic work is performed. However, the time information is not limited to the date when the diagnostic work is performed, and may further be expressed using morning, afternoon, or time.

[0047] In the management ledger 52, the identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information of each steam trap are described in the order of diagnosis for each of the multiple steam traps diagnosed in the diagnostic work. Hereinafter, the identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information of the steam trap will be collectively referred to as the management information of the steam trap.

[0048] The identification information is information that identifies each steam trap to be diagnosed. For example, the identification information may be the trap number indicating the order in which each steam trap was registered as a steam trap to be managed by the plant. For example, a certain steam trap may be registered third as a steam trap to be managed by the plant. In this case, the trap number "3" of that steam trap is used as the identification information of that steam trap.

[0049] The location information is information that indicates the location where each steam trap is installed. A plurality of piping systems installed in a plant are classified into a plurality of groups according to the material of the pipes that make up the piping systems. The piping materials include, for example, low alloy (Cr-MO) steel and stainless steel. For example, a piping system made up of piping made of low alloy steel is classified into a group identified by the identification information "low alloy steel". On the other hand, a piping system made up of piping made of stainless steel is classified into a group identified by the identification information "stainless steel".

[0050] The location information includes identification information of an area including a location where each steam trap is installed when the plant is divided into a plurality of areas, and also includes information indicating a row number and a column number of a grid where each steam trap is installed when each area is divided into a plurality of grids arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

[0051] The attribute information is information that indicates the attributes of each steam trap, and includes, for example, information that identifies the manufacturer name, model name, and valve opening and closing method (hereinafter, "type") of each steam trap, and information that identifies the maximum condensate discharge amount (hereinafter, "model").

[0052] The condition information is information that indicates the operating conditions of each steam trap, for example, the condition information includes the operating pressure and set temperature of each steam trap.

[0053] The characteristic information is information that indicates the characteristics of each steam trap. For example, the characteristic information includes information that indicates the relationship between the amount of steam leakage and the vibration value in each steam trap (hereinafter, vibration characteristics), and a vibration threshold value used to determine the degree of steam leakage in each steam trap. The characteristic information also includes a temperature threshold value used to determine the state of each steam trap.

[0054] When the diagnosis of each steam trap is completed, information indicating when each steam trap was diagnosed (hereinafter, diagnosis time information) and information indicating the diagnosis result of each steam trap (hereinafter, diagnosis result information) are added to management ledger 52. The diagnosis result information includes information indicating whether the steam trap is in a normal or defective state, the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap, the state of steam leakage from the steam trap, etc.

[0055] A part of the storage area of ​​storage unit 45 is used as a management table 53 for managing information relating to the diagnosis of the steam trap in each plant on which measuring device 3 is installed, in association with each identification information of one or more plants. Management table 53 stores, in association with each other, the identification information of the steam trap in each plant on which measuring device 3 is installed, measurement data indicating the measurement results of the steam trap, diagnosis time information indicating the time when the diagnosis of the steam trap was performed, and diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap.

[0056] Standard report forms 54 relating to diagnostic results of a plurality of steam traps are stored in memory unit 45. For example, memory unit 45 stores leakage amount transition form F2 (FIG. 7) as standard report form 54 relating to the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap.

[0057] The control unit 41 is configured using a CPU etc. The control unit 41 has a management unit 411, a diagnosis unit 412, a reception unit 413, an acquisition unit 414 (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit), a calculation unit 415, an extraction unit 416, a prediction unit 417, a creation unit 418, and an output unit 419 as functions realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

[0058] The management unit 411 manages the management ledger 52 .

[0059] Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives a management ledger 52 related to diagnostic work in a certain plant from the information processing device 2, the management unit 411 acquires the management ledger 52 from the communication unit 46. If the management ledger 52 (hereinafter, acquired ledger) does not contain diagnostic timing information and diagnostic result information, the management unit 411 stores the acquired ledger in the memory unit 45 as the management ledger 52 corresponding to a new diagnostic work in association with the identification information of the plant.

[0060] On the other hand, if the acquisition ledger includes diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information for one or more steam traps, management unit 411 adds the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information for the one or more steam traps to management ledger 52 that corresponds to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger stored in memory unit 45. As a result, management unit 411 updates management ledger 52 that corresponds to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger stored in memory unit 45.

[0061] Specifically, management unit 411 identifies management ledger 52 stored in memory unit 45 that includes the same time information as the acquisition ledger and that includes the same location information as one or more steam traps corresponding to the diagnosis time information and diagnosis result information included in the acquisition ledger, as management ledger 52 corresponding to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger. Management unit 411 adds the diagnosis time information and diagnosis result information of the one or more steam traps included in the acquisition ledger to the identified management ledger 52.

[0062] The management unit 411 further manages the management table 53 .

[0063] Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives measurement data, identification information of the plant, identification information of the steam trap, and measurement date and time information from a measuring device 3 installed in a plant, the management unit 411 acquires the measurement data, identification information of the plant, identification information of the steam trap, and measurement date and time information from the communication unit 46.

[0064] Management unit 411 extracts management information of the steam trap including the identification information of the acquired steam trap from device information 51 having the latest registration time information among one or more pieces of device information 51 corresponding to the acquired plant identification information stored in memory unit 45. Management unit 411 regards the measurement date and time information acquired from communication unit 46 as diagnosis time information, and stores the extracted management information, the measurement data acquired from communication unit 46, and the diagnosis time information in association with each other in management table 53 corresponding to the acquired plant identification information.

[0065] Diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data, based on the measurement data and management information of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data stored in management table 53. The steam trap corresponding to the measurement data is the steam trap that is the measurement target of measuring device 3 that transmitted the measurement data to server device 4.

[0066] Specifically, the diagnosis unit 412 acquires characteristic information of the steam trap from management information of the steam trap associated with the measurement data to be used for diagnosis (hereinafter, target measurement data) in management table 53. The diagnosis unit 412 compares a temperature threshold included in the characteristic information with the temperature data included in the target measurement data, and also compares a vibration threshold included in the characteristic information with the vibration data included in the target measurement data. Based on the results of these comparisons, the diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses whether the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data is in a normal state or in a defective state.

[0067] Furthermore, the diagnostic unit 412 calculates the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data based on the vibration characteristics included in the acquired characteristic information and the vibration data included in the target measurement data. The diagnostic unit 412 diagnoses the state of the steam trap (e.g., no leakage, small leakage, medium leakage, large leakage, blowing, etc.) according to the calculated amount of steam leakage.

[0068] When diagnosis unit 412 completes diagnosis of the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data, it stores diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data in management table 53 in association with the target measurement data.

[0069] The reception unit 413 receives input of information instructing the creation of a report (hereinafter, "creation instruction information"). For example, the report includes a report (hereinafter, "first report") showing the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a designated steam trap (hereinafter, "first steam trap") installed in a designated plant. Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives the creation instruction information from an external device such as the information processing device 2, the reception unit 413 receives the input of the creation instruction information.

[0070] The creation instruction information includes information that specifies the content of the report. For example, the creation instruction information instructing the creation of a first report includes identification information of the first steam trap and identification information of the plant in which the first steam trap is installed.

[0071] The acquisition unit 414 acquires information indicating the diagnosis results of the steam trap required for creating the report indicated by the creation instruction information (hereinafter, result information corresponding to the report).

[0072] For example, it is assumed that the receiving unit 413 receives creation instruction information instructing the creation of a first report. In this case, the acquiring unit 414 acquires information (hereinafter, first information) indicating a temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent predetermined period (hereinafter, first period (e.g., six years)) as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0073] Specifically, acquisition unit 414 acquires identification information of the first steam trap and identification information of the plant in which the first steam trap is installed from creation instruction information that instructs creation of the first report.

[0074] The acquisition unit 414 refers to diagnostic result information that is associated with the identification information of the first steam trap and diagnostic timing information indicating the time within the most recent first period in one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 stored in the memory unit 45 in correspondence with the acquired plant identification information.

[0075] The acquisition unit 414 acquires combinations of diagnosis time information corresponding to the diagnosis result information and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the diagnosis result information in order from the oldest diagnosis time information indicated by the diagnosis time information, thereby acquiring one or more acquired combinations as first information indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent first period.

[0076] The acquisition unit 414 further acquires, as result information corresponding to the first report, information (hereinafter, second information) indicating the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage for each of multiple steam traps (hereinafter, second steam traps) of the same model as the first steam trap over a period longer than the first period (hereinafter, second period (e.g., 10 years)).

[0077] Specifically, acquisition unit 414 acquires identification information of the first steam trap and identification information of the plant in which the first steam trap is installed from creation instruction information that instructs creation of a first report. Acquisition unit 414 refers to device information 51 corresponding to the identification information of the plant stored in storage unit 45, the device information 51 having the latest registration time information. Acquisition unit 414 acquires information specifying the model of the first steam trap from attribute information corresponding to the identification information of the first steam trap.

[0078] Acquisition unit 414 refers to one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 stored in memory unit 45, the attribute information of which includes information specifying the same model as the model of the first steam trap.

[0079] The acquisition unit 414 refers to the identification information of each steam trap contained in the one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53, and among the multiple pieces of diagnosis time information associated with the identification information, the diagnosis time information indicating the oldest time (hereinafter, oldest diagnosis time information) and the diagnosis time information indicating the newest time (hereinafter, latest diagnosis time information).

[0080] The acquisition unit 414 acquires, as the identification information of the second steam trap, the identification information of a steam trap in which the period from the time indicated by the earliest diagnosis time information to the time indicated by the latest diagnosis time information is longer than the first period.

[0081] For each of the identification information of the multiple second steam traps acquired, the acquisition unit 414 refers to one or more pieces of diagnostic result information that are associated with the identification information of each second steam trap in the one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 referenced above.

[0082] The acquisition unit 414 acquires combinations of diagnosis time information corresponding to each piece of referred diagnosis result information and the amount of steam leakage from each second steam trap included in each piece of referred diagnosis result information in order from the oldest diagnosis time indicated by the diagnosis time information. In this way, the acquisition unit 414 acquires one or more acquired combinations as second information indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from each second steam trap in a second period longer than the first period.

[0083] The calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the report based on the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0084] For example, calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the first report based on the first information acquired by acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report. Specifically, calculation unit 415 calculates an approximation function indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap as the statistical processing on the first report.

[0085] For example, assume that as the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information becomes later, the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the first information and corresponding to the diagnosis time information increases linearly. In this case, calculation unit 415 calculates a linear function showing the relationship between them by linear approximation using the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information as an explanatory variable and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the first information and corresponding to the diagnosis time information as a response variable. Calculation unit 415 calculates the linear function as an approximation function showing the time transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap.

[0086] On the other hand, it is assumed that as the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information becomes later, the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis time information included in the first information increases nonlinearly. In this case, calculation unit 415 calculates a quadratic function showing the relationship between them by polynomial approximation using the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information as an explanatory variable and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis time information included in the first information as a response variable. Calculation unit 415 calculates the quadratic function as an approximation function showing the time transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap.

[0087] The extraction unit 416 extracts various pieces of information related to the report from the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0088] For example, the extraction unit 416 extracts, from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report, second information (hereinafter, third information) in which the time progression of the steam leakage amount during a period of the same length as the first period (hereinafter, third period) is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0089] Specifically, the extraction unit 416 extracts, from among the multiple pieces of second information, second information that indicates that the increase in the amount of steam leakage during any period that is the same length as the first period of the second steam trap is closest to the increase in the amount of steam leakage during the first period indicated by the first information as the third information.

[0090] Note that the method of extracting the third information by the extraction unit 416 is not limited to this. For example, the extraction unit 416 may extract the third information from the multiple pieces of second information by using a model generated by machine learning such as deep learning.

[0091] Specifically, a model based on machine learning of the relationship between the time progression of steam leakage amount over a most recent first period (hereinafter, the first time progression) of a certain target steam trap (hereinafter, the third steam trap), the time progression of steam leakage amount over a second period longer than the first period for each of a plurality of fourth steam traps of the same type as the third steam trap (hereinafter, the plurality of second time progressions), and a second time progression (hereinafter, the third time progression) among the plurality of second time progressions, in which the time progression of steam leakage amount over a third period of the same length as the first period is similar to the first time progression, may be stored in advance in memory unit 45.

[0092] In this case, the extraction unit 416 may acquire the above model from the memory unit 45, and input the first information and the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 to the model, thereby extracting information indicating a third temporal progression output by the model as the third information.

[0093] Furthermore, the extraction unit 416 extracts second information (hereinafter, fifth information) indicating the largest rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage over the entire period (second period) from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report. The rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage over the entire period (second period) is the ratio of the increase in the amount of steam leakage from the start point of the second period to the end point of the second period relative to the length of the second period (=the increase / length of the second period).

[0094] The prediction unit 417 predicts various pieces of information regarding the report based on at least one of the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414, the results of statistical processing regarding the report by the calculation unit 415, and various pieces of information regarding the report extracted by the extraction unit 416.

[0095] For example, the prediction unit 417 predicts the future temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report, the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 as statistical processing regarding the first report, and the third information and fifth information extracted by the extraction unit 416 as information regarding the first report.

[0096] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. A solid line V511 represents the time progression of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap during the most recent first period T1, as indicated by the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0097] Dashed line V512 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second period T2a, as indicated by the third information extracted by extraction unit 416. In other words, dashed line V512 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a second steam trap, among multiple second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap, whose change over time in the amount of steam leakage during a third period T3, which has the same length as the first period T1, is similar to the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first information, as indicated by solid line V511.

[0098] 3, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period indicated by the third information extracted by extraction unit 416 is such that the amount of steam leakage increases with increasing time, as indicated by dashed line V512. However, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period indicated by the third information is not limited to this, and may also include a decrease in the amount of steam leakage as time increases.

[0099] A dotted line V513 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap, which is indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415.

[0100] The two-dot chain line V514 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap in the second period T2b, as indicated by the fifth information extracted by the extraction unit 416. In other words, the two-dot chain line V514 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap which, among multiple second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap, has the largest rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage in a period longer than the first period T1 (the second period T2b).

[0101] 3, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period indicated by the fifth information extracted by extraction unit 416 is such that the amount of steam leakage increases with increasing time, as indicated by dashed two-dot line V514. However, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period indicated by the fifth information is not limited to this, and may also include a decrease in the amount of steam leakage as time increases.

[0102] In the above case, the prediction unit 417 predicts (calculates) the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period T1 onwards indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 and the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 onwards indicated by the third information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as shown by the dotted circle V515, as a single time progression of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap (hereinafter, the first predicted time progression).

[0103] Specifically, the prediction unit 417 calculates the average value of the steam leakage amount indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount indicated by the third information at multiple sample points corresponding to the elapsed time from the end point of the first period T1 and the third period T3. As a result, the prediction unit 417 calculates the time transition of the average value of the steam leakage amount after the first period T1 indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount after the third period T3 indicated by the third information.

[0104] Furthermore, the prediction unit 417 predicts (calculates) as another time progression of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap (hereinafter, second predicted time progression) the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period T1 onwards indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 and the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 onwards indicated by the fifth information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as shown by the dashed dotted line V516. Note that the prediction unit 417 may predict only one of the first predicted time progression and the second predicted time progression.

[0105] Specifically, the prediction unit 417 calculates the average value of the steam leakage amount indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount indicated by the fifth information at multiple sample points corresponding to the elapsed time from the end point of the first period T1 and the third period T3. As a result, the prediction unit 417 calculates the time transition of the average value of the steam leakage amount after the first period T1 indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount after the third period T3 indicated by the fifth information.

[0106] In addition, the prediction unit 417 may be configured to predict the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future based on the third information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as shown by dashed line V512.

[0107] Alternatively, the prediction unit 417 may predict the temporal progression of the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 onwards, as indicated by the fifth information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as the temporal progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future, as shown by the dotted line V514.

[0108] Alternatively, the prediction unit 417 may predict the time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first period T1 onwards, as shown by the approximate function calculated by the calculation unit 415, as the future time progression of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap, as shown by the dotted line V513.

[0109] The creation unit 418 inserts at least one of the creation instruction information, the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414, the result of the statistical processing on the report by the calculation unit 415, the various information on the report extracted by the extraction unit 416, and the various information on the report predicted by the prediction unit 417 into the standard form 54 of the report indicated by the creation instruction information accepted by the acceptance unit 413, which is stored in the storage unit 45. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the report indicated by the creation instruction information accepted by the acceptance unit 413.

[0110] The output unit 419 returns (outputs) data indicating the report created by the creation unit 418 (hereinafter, report data) to the external device that transmitted the creation instruction information, using the communication unit 46. The output unit 419 may store (output) the returned report data in the storage unit 45. This may allow an information processing device such as the information processing device 2 that can access the server device 4 to acquire the report data stored in the storage unit 45.

[0111] <Diagnosis process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing carried out in steam trap management system 100 when an operator performs diagnostic work on multiple steam traps using diagnostic device 1. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing during diagnostic work in steam trap management system 100. In response to operations by the operator, information processing device 2 creates management ledger 52 for the multiple steam traps that are the subject of diagnostic work (step S1).

[0112] Information processing device 2 transmits management ledger 52 created in step S1 to server device 4 together with identification information of the plant in which the multiple steam traps that are the subject of diagnosis work are installed (step S2).

[0113] In the server device 4, the communication unit 46 receives the plant identification information and the management ledger 52 transmitted from the information processing device 2. The management unit 411 acquires the plant identification information and the management ledger 52 from the communication unit 46, and stores the management ledger 52 in the storage unit 45 in association with the plant identification information (step S3).

[0114] The information processing device 2 stores the management ledger 52 created in step S1 in a flash memory in response to an operation by an operator. The operator connects the flash memory in which the management ledger 52 is stored to the diagnostic device 1 (step S4).

[0115] When the flash memory in which the management ledger 52 is stored is connected to the diagnostic device 1, the diagnostic device 1 automatically or in response to an operation by an operator retrieves the management ledger 52 from the flash memory and stores the management ledger (step S5).

[0116] If the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, in step S4, the information processing device 2 may transmit the management ledger 52 created in step S1 to the diagnostic device 1. Then, when the diagnostic device 1 receives the management ledger 52 transmitted from the information processing device 2, in step S5, the management ledger 52 may be stored in a memory provided in the diagnostic device 1.

[0117] The worker carries diagnostic device 1 (and information processing device 2, if permitted) and moves around the plant, whereby diagnostic device 1 diagnoses each steam trap in turn (step S6). At that time, the worker operates diagnostic device 1 to display management ledger 52 stored in advance on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that the diagnostic device 1 is equipped with. This allows the worker to recognize the diagnosis order of multiple steam traps and the management information of each steam trap (identification information, position information, attribute information, and characteristic information).

[0118] In addition, when the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, the management ledger 52 may be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display provided in the information processing device 2. Since the information processing device 2 usually has a larger display unit than the diagnostic device 1, displaying the management ledger 52 on the display unit of the information processing device 2 improves visibility for the worker.

[0119] The worker moves to the location where the steam trap to be diagnosed is installed, according to the diagnosis order and location information that can be recognized from the displayed management ledger 52. The worker operates diagnostic device 1 to select one steam trap to be diagnosed this time from the multiple steam traps included in management ledger 52.

[0120] Next, the operator presses the probe (not shown) of diagnostic device 1 against the steam trap to be diagnosed this time (hereinafter referred to as the target steam trap). This causes diagnostic device 1 to measure the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap. Diagnostic device 1 obtains management information including identification information of the target steam trap from management ledger 52, and diagnoses the target steam trap based on characteristic information included in the management information and the measurement data of the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap. Diagnostic device 1 displays diagnosis result information showing the results of the diagnosis of the target steam trap on the display unit.

[0121] Diagnostic device 1 updates management ledger 52 stored in memory by adding diagnosis time information indicating the diagnosis time of the target steam trap and diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the target steam trap to management ledger 52 (step S7).

[0122] When the worker finishes the diagnostic work on one or more steam traps for which he / she is responsible, he / she connects the flash memory to diagnostic device 1. When the flash memory is connected to diagnostic device 1, diagnostic device 1 stores updated management ledger 52 stored in the memory in the flash memory, either automatically or in response to an operation by the worker. The worker connects the flash memory in which updated management ledger 52 is stored to information processing device 2 (step S8).

[0123] When the flash memory is connected, the information processing device 2 acquires the updated management ledger 52 from the flash memory automatically or in response to an operation by an operator (step S9).

[0124] If the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, in step S8, the diagnostic device 1 may transmit the updated management ledger 52 stored in the memory to the information processing device 2. Then, in step S9, the information processing device 2 may acquire the updated management ledger 52 received from the diagnostic device 1.

[0125] Next, the information processing device 2 transmits the updated management ledger 52 acquired in step S9 to the server device 4 together with the identification information of the plant in which the steam trap for which the diagnostic work has been performed is installed (step S10).

[0126] In the server device 4, when the communication unit 46 receives the updated management ledger 52 and the identification information of the plant from the information processing device 2, the management unit 411 acquires the updated management ledger 52 and the identification information of the plant received by the communication unit 46 from the communication unit 46. The management unit 411 updates, using the acquired management ledger 52, the management ledger 52 corresponding to the same diagnostic work as the acquired management ledger 52, which is stored in the memory unit 45 in association with the acquired plant identification information (step S11).

[0127] Furthermore, in step S10, instead of sending the updated management ledger 52 to the server device 4, the information processing device 2 may send to the server device 4 the timing information contained in the updated management ledger 52, the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information of each steam trap added to the management ledger 52 in step S7, and the position information of the steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information.

[0128] In response to this, in step S11, in server device 4, management unit 411 may acquire from communication unit 46 the timing information, position information of each steam trap, diagnosis timing information, and diagnosis result information received by communication unit 46. In conjunction with this, management unit 411 may add the acquired diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information to management ledger 52 that is stored in storage unit 45 in association with the plant identification information acquired in step S10 and that includes the same timing information as the acquired timing information and that includes the same location information as the acquired location information.

[0129] <Diagnosis process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of diagnostic processing performed in steam trap management system 100. The diagnostic processing is processing for diagnosing a plurality of steam traps based on measurement data indicating the results of measurement of the plurality of steam traps by a plurality of measuring devices 3. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the diagnostic processing.

[0130] Each of the multiple measuring devices 3 periodically executes a measurement process (step S21). Each measuring device 3 transmits measurement data indicating the measurement results of the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap by the measurement process, identification information of the plant in which the target steam trap is installed, identification information of the target steam trap, and measurement date and time information indicating the current date and time to the server device 4 (step S22).

[0131] In server device 4, management unit 411 acquires from communication unit 46 the measurement data, the plant identification information, the target steam trap identification information, and the measurement date and time information that communication unit 46 has received from measuring device 3 (step S23).

[0132] Management unit 411 references plant equipment information 51 whose registration time information indicates the latest (closest in the past) time from among plant equipment information 51 corresponding to the plant identification information acquired in step S23, which is stored in storage unit 45. Management unit 411 extracts steam trap management information including the identification information of the target steam trap acquired in step S23 from the referenced equipment information 51 (step S24).

[0133] The management unit 411 treats the measurement date and time information acquired in step S23 as diagnosis time information, associates the management information extracted in step S24 with the measurement data acquired in step S23, and the diagnosis time information, and stores them in a management table 53 corresponding to the plant identification information acquired in step S23, which is stored in the memory unit 45 (step S25).

[0134] Diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data, based on the measurement data stored in management table 53 and the management information of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data (step S26). Note that step S26 may be performed immediately after the completion of step S25, or may be performed when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of step S25.

[0135] Diagnosis unit 412 stores in management table 53 diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data in step S26 in association with the measurement data (step S27).

[0136] <Report creation process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of report creation processing performed in steam trap management system 100. The report creation processing is processing for creating a report indicated by creation instruction information inputted in information processing device 2. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the report creation processing.

[0137] When production instruction information for creating a report is input in the information processing device 2 in response to an operation by an operator (step S31), the information processing device 2 transmits the production instruction information to the server device 4 (step S32).

[0138] When the communication unit 46 receives the creation instruction information from the information processing device 2, the accepting unit 413 accepts the input of the creation instruction information (step S33). The acquiring unit 414 acquires result information corresponding to the report to be created, which is indicated by the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (step S34).

[0139] For example, suppose that in step S33, the receiving unit 413 receives creation instruction information instructing the creation of a first report. In this case, in step S34, the acquiring unit 414 acquires first information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent first period as result information corresponding to the first report. Also in step S34, the acquiring unit 414 acquires second information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from each of a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0140] The calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the report based on the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34 (step S35).

[0141] For example, in step S35, the calculation unit 415 calculates an approximation function indicating the temporal progression of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap as a statistical processing related to the first report based on the first information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0142] The extraction unit 416 extracts various pieces of information related to the report from the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34 (step S36).

[0143] For example, in step S36, the extraction unit 416 extracts third information, from the multiple pieces of second information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report, in which the time progression of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report. Furthermore, in step S36, the extraction unit 416 extracts fifth information, from the multiple pieces of second information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report, indicating that the rate of increase in the steam leakage amount in the entire period (second period) is the largest.

[0144] The prediction unit 417 predicts various pieces of information regarding the report based on at least one of the result information corresponding to the report obtained in step S34, the results of the statistical processing regarding the report in step S5, and the various pieces of information regarding the report extracted in step S36 (step S37).

[0145] For example, in step S37, the prediction unit 417 predicts the future temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap based on the result information corresponding to the first report obtained in step S34, the results of the statistical processing on the first report in step S35, and the third information and fifth information extracted in step S36.

[0146] The creation unit 418 acquires the template form 54 of the report indicated by the creation instruction information received in step S33, which is stored in the storage unit 45. The creation unit 418 inserts at least one of the creation instruction information received in step S33, the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34, the result of the statistical processing related to the report in step S35, the various pieces of information related to the report extracted in step S36, and the various pieces of information related to the report predicted in step S37 into the template form 54. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the report indicated by the creation instruction information (step S38).

[0147] The output unit 419 uses the communication unit 46 to return report data indicating the report created in step S38 to the information processing device 2 that transmitted the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (step S39).

[0148] When the information processing device 2 receives the report data from the server device 4, the information processing device 2 displays the report indicated by the report data on the display unit provided in the information processing device 2 itself (step S40).

[0149] <Examples of reports> In the following, a first report showing a temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap will be described as a specific example of a report created in the report creation process. In this description, the details of the processing content of creation unit 418 in step S38 (FIG. 6) will be described.

[0150] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a first report R2 showing a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. In step S38 (FIG. 6), the creation unit 418 acquires a leakage amount change form F2, which is a standard form 54 (FIG. 2) for the first report R2 stored in the storage unit 45.

[0151] The creation unit 418 inserts the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (FIG. 6), the first information acquired in step S34 (FIG. 6), and the approximation function calculated in step S35 (FIG. 6) into the leakage amount transition form F2. The creation unit 418 also inserts the third information and fifth information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6), and the first predicted time transition and the second predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6) into the leakage amount transition form F2. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the first report R2.

[0152] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the leakage amount transition form F2 is provided with a title area T2, a graph area A21, and a legend area A22.

[0153] The title region T2 is an insertion section for the title of the first report R2. The creation unit 418 creates a title for the first report R2, "Changes in steam leakage rate from steam trap "IDx" of plant A," using the plant identification information "Plant A" included in the creation instruction information and the first steam trap identification information "IDx" included in the creation instruction information, and inserts the title into the title region T2.

[0154] Graph area A21 is an insert for a graph showing the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. The horizontal axis of graph area A21 indicates time, and the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. Note that "blocked" written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from a blocked first steam trap. "Large leakage" written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from a first steam trap whose steam leakage state is "large leakage". "Current" written on the horizontal axis of graph area A21 indicates the time when the first steam trap was most recently diagnosed.

[0155] The creation unit 418 creates a graph G511 showing the first information acquired in step S34 (FIG. 6) and a graph G512 showing the third information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 creates a graph G513 (seventh information) showing the approximation function calculated in step S35 (FIG. 6) and a graph G514 showing the fifth information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 creates a graph G515 (fourth information) showing the first predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6) and a graph G516 (sixth information) showing the second predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 inserts the six created graphs G511 to G516 into the graph area A21.

[0156] Legend area A22 is an insertion portion for the legends of six graphs G511 to G516 to be inserted into graph area A21.

[0157] In step S38 (FIG. 6), creation unit 418 inserts legends for the six graphs G511-G516 into legend area A22. Specifically, creation unit 418 creates combinations of images indicating the line type of each graph (solid line, dashed line, square dotted line, two-dot chain line, circle dotted line, one-dot chain line) and the name of each graph ("performance value", "similar performance value", "approximation function", "minimum performance value", "approximation function & average value of similar performance values", "approximation function & average value of minimum performance values"). Creation unit 418 inserts the six created combinations into legend area A22 as legends for the six graphs G511-G516.

[0158] According to the first report R2, the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" onwards, as shown by graphs G512 to G516 displayed in the graph area A21, can be understood as an example of the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future.

[0159] For example, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G512 can be understood as an example of an ideal change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G515 can be understood as an example of a realistic change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G513 can be understood as an example of a theoretically estimated change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future.

[0160] Furthermore, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" onwards shown in graph G514 can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if an exceptional failure occurs in the first steam trap. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap.

[0161] Alternatively, creation unit 418 may not insert one or more of graphs G513 to G516 into graph area A21, and may create a legend for the graph to be inserted into graph area A21 and insert it into legend area A22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 4: Server device (output device) 414: Acquisition part (1st acquisition part, 2nd acquisition part) 416:Extraction part 419: Output section T1: First period T2a: 2nd period T2b: Second period T3: Third period

Claims

1. 1. An output method for an output device that outputs information regarding a steam leakage amount in a steam trap, comprising: acquiring first information indicating a change over time in a steam leakage amount from a first steam trap during a most recent first period; acquiring a plurality of second information pieces indicating a time transition of a steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; extracting third information from the plurality of second information, the third information having a time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; outputting the third information; Output method.

2. Furthermore, an approximation function indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap is calculated based on the first information; Furthermore, fourth information is calculated that indicates a change over time in an average value of the amount of steam leakage from the first period onward that is indicated by the approximation function and the amount of steam leakage from the third period onward that is indicated by the third information; Furthermore, the fourth information is output. The output method according to claim 1 .

3. Furthermore, extracting fifth information indicating that an increase rate of the amount of steam leakage during the second period is the largest from among the plurality of second information, Furthermore, the fifth information is output.

3. The output method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Furthermore, an approximation function indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap is calculated based on the first information; Further, sixth information is calculated that indicates a change over time in an average value of the amount of steam leakage from the first period onward that is indicated by the approximation function and the amount of steam leakage from the third period onward that is indicated by the fifth information; Furthermore, the sixth information is output. The output method according to claim 3 .

5. and outputting seventh information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap indicated by the approximation function. The output method according to claim 2 .

6. and outputting seventh information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap indicated by the approximation function. The output method according to claim 4.

7. An output device that outputs information regarding a steam leakage amount in a steam trap, a first acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating a temporal change in a steam leakage amount from the first steam trap during a most recent first period; a second acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second information pieces indicating a temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; an extracting unit that extracts third information from the plurality of second information, the third information having a time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; an output unit that outputs the third information; An output device comprising:

8. A program for an output device that outputs information regarding a steam leakage amount in a steam trap, The output device includes: acquiring first information indicating a change over time in a steam leakage amount from a first steam trap during a most recent first period; acquiring a plurality of second information pieces indicating a time transition of a steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; extracting third information from the plurality of second information, the third information having a time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; outputting the third information; A program that executes a process.

Images