Method for improving efficiency and / or increasing operating range of a system for pressurized fluid with a pressurized piping network under dynamic loads - Patents.com

Abstract

A method for improving the efficiency of a system (1) for pressurized fluid, comprising a piping network (2) with an inlet (3) and a number of piping outlets (4) subjected to varying loads, comprising the evaluation of one or more hypothetical rearrangements of said system (1), the calculation of Potential Financial Savings (PFS), the calculation being based on the pressure (P IN ,P POi ), evaluating the potential financial savings (PFS), and suggesting to the user one or more virtual relocations for implementation if there is a positive potential financial savings (PFS).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of systems for pressurized fluids, such as pneumatic networks, comprising a pressurized piping network with at least one main piping inlet, through which the pressurized fluid is supplied to the piping network by a pressurizing machine of the system for pressurized fluid, for example a compressor, and one or more piping outlets, through which the pressurized fluid is supplied to one or more corresponding user devices or equipment located at user locations spaced apart from one another. The pressurized fluid taken up by the various user devices or equipment changes over time, resulting in dynamic loads at the piping outlets of the piping network. [Background technology]

[0002] In many applications, pressurized fluid, primarily pressurized air, is used to power certain pneumatically and / or hydraulically powered user devices or equipment, such as manufacturing or maintenance tools, robots, machines, brakes, etc.

[0003] These pneumatic and / or hydraulically powered tools can be manually operated tools such as pneumatic and / or hydraulically powered wrenches, torque tools, screwdrivers, drills, grinders, sanders, sanders, impact tools, compression tools, air motors, jacks, lifting tools, and the like.

[0004] In other cases, the tool or machine is an automatically operated tool or machine, such as a pneumatically and / or hydraulically driven robotic arm or robot, or a computer controlled manufacturing bench with pneumatically and / or hydraulically driven tools or arms that automatically perform the required operations and movements.

[0005] The amount of pressurized fluid power required by the tool or machine varies greatly from application to application. Different types of tools or machines have different nominal, maximum and minimum power needs. Also, during any operation with such a machine or tool, the power required varies depending on the load on the machine or tool or the resistance it perceives.

[0006] Multiple such user devices or equipment powered by pressurized fluid are often used simultaneously at locations separated from each other by distances that may be large or extremely large (up to hundreds of meters or kilometers) or small (a few meters or tens of meters), depending on the application.

[0007] For example, in a particular manufacturing plant or assembly line, the manufacture or assembly of a product requires various process steps to be carried out at various work locations distributed across the surface of the plant or along the assembly line. Pre-processed portions of the product or semi-finished product are passed from work location to work location until the final product is realized. The work locations are therefore often arranged in a consecutive order according to the sequence of the process steps.

[0008] Also, in a service centre or workshop for the maintenance or repair of machines or vehicles, service operators will typically work simultaneously in various departments spread throughout the service centre or workshop for the repair or maintenance of the machines or vehicles involved.

[0009] In the construction industry or mining operations, teams often work in positions spread out over a construction site or mining plant to carry out extremely heavy tasks.

[0010] A single source or a limited number of sources of pressurized fluid are typically used to supply pressurized fluid, usually pressurized air, to various user locations, departments, work areas, etc. where user devices or equipment require pressurized fluid to power tools or machinery.

[0011] Typically, the source of such pressurized fluid is a pressurizing machine that pressurizes an incoming non-pressurized fluid to an outgoing pressurized fluid. Such a pressurizing machine can be, for example, a compressor for compressing air at atmospheric pressure to air at a higher pressure. The pressurizing machine can also be by a pump or by any other machine capable of pressurizing a fluid.

[0012] The source of pressurized fluid can also be a combination of pressurized machines, or a combination of pressurized machines and pressure vessels, arranged in series with each other, and so on.

[0013] In another example, the source of pressurized fluid may not be a pressurized machine, but an existing source of pressurized fluid, such as the water of a lake behind a barrage dam.

[0014] A piping network is typically provided to connect a single source or a limited number of sources of pressurized fluid to various user devices and equipment that require pressurized fluid and that are remote from one another at various user locations, such as work sites, service stations, mining sites, etc.

[0015] The piping network has at least one main piping inlet that is connected to a single source or a limited number of sources of pressurized fluid.

[0016] As a rule, a main piping piece extends from a main piping inlet, which branches into several piping branches, which in turn can further branch into piping sub-branches, etc., resulting in a number of piping branches and piping sub-branches corresponding to the number of user locations to which pressurized fluid must be supplied.

[0017] These piping branches and piping sub-branches terminate in piping outlets, and at various user locations, associated user devices or equipment are connected to such piping outlets.

[0018] It is a well-known phenomenon that during the transport of a pressurized fluid from a main pipe inlet to said pipe outlet of such a piping network, a certain pressure drop occurs.

[0019] The pressure drop experienced at a particular pipe outlet is the difference between the fluid pressure present at the main pipe inlet and the fluid pressure experienced at the associated pipe outlet.

[0020] This pressure drop is typically different at different pipe outlets, depends on several factors, and changes over time during operation due to changes in demand at the pipe outlets.

[0021] The pressure drop is caused primarily by friction losses of the fluid during flow in the pipes.

[0022] A crucial factor influencing said pressure drop is the flow rate or velocity of the fluid through the relevant piece of piping.

[0023] Another factor that plays a role is the viscosity of the fluid.

[0024] Yet another important factor affecting the pressure drop between a main pipe inlet and a particular pipe outlet in a piping network is the piping length of the associated piping piece between the main pipe inlet and the associated pipe outlet.

[0025] Still other factors that affect the pressure drop are the piping roughness of the associated piping piece, the diameter of the associated piping piece, or the change in diameter of the associated piping piece between the main piping inlet and the associated piping outlet.

[0026] Also, the number of bends in the associated piping piece and the presence of other mechanical components such as valves, flow meters, fittings, etc. in the associated piping piece play a significant role.

[0027] Yet another factor that can affect the pressure or pressure drop is fluctuations in the fluid pressure at the main line inlet.

[0028] For example, when the demand for pressurized fluid at all of the piping outlets is extremely high, the source of pressurized fluid may not be able to keep up with this total demand for pressurized fluid at the main piping inlet, and therefore the fluid pressure at the main piping inlet may temporarily drop until the demand again corresponds to or falls below the capacity of the source of pressurized fluid to supply pressurized fluid.

[0029] In short, it is extremely difficult, or nearly impossible, to accurately predict the varying pressure or pressure drop at every pipe outlet.

[0030] Furthermore, it is important to understand that some user devices or equipment connected to the piping outlets of a piping network often require a minimum required fluid pressure at their inlet in order to function.

[0031] This means that the inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet must always be high enough so that when the pressure drops in the pipe pieces to the various pipe outlets are taken into account, there is still sufficient outlet pressure remaining at each pipe outlet and at each instance during operation times at the various user locations.

[0032] Or, from another perspective, the pressure drop occurring between the main piping inlet and the piping outlets should not exceed a certain level so that the pressure at the piping outlets is still high enough to accommodate the associated equipment requiring pressurized fluid at those piping outlets.

[0033] This outlet pressure must, in any circumstance, be at least higher than the minimum pressure required at the associated user location, in order to provide pressurized fluid at each such user location at a sufficiently high pressure so that the associated user devices or equipment can still function properly, even when they are used at maximum load.

[0034] For example, in a situation where maximum loads are applied simultaneously at all pipe outlets or user locations, the required inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet of a piping network can be theoretically determined by calculating what this required inlet pressure should be.

[0035] However, in reality, this situation of maximum loading of the piping network, where all user locations are simultaneously subjected to maximum load, never or rarely exists.

[0036] Indeed, under normal circumstances during operation, pressurized fluid is sampled in some piping outlets during certain periods, while other piping outlets remain closed, and during other operating periods, other piping outlets may open or some of the piping outlets that were previously open may close.

[0037] Furthermore, even the load taken at each of such piping outlets in an unblocked condition of such piping outlets typically changes or fluctuates during operation, and such load is typically not equal to the maximum allowable load during the entire period of operation.

[0038] As a result, the required inlet pressure theoretically calculated by the above method is in practice unnecessarily high, resulting in energy waste.

[0039] It will be readily appreciated that it is not easy to determine how high the inlet pressure at the main piping inlet should actually be, at least during operation, so that the required loads can be picked up at the various piping outlets in a safe manner without interrupting operation at any of the user locations due to a lack of pressure at the associated piping outlets.

[0040] Obviously, when the source of pressurized fluid providing the required inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet of the piping network comprises a pressurizing machine such as a compressor or a pump, energy, e.g. electrical energy, is required to drive the pressurizing machine. The inlet pressure of the piping network is of course then the same as the outlet pressure of the pressurizing machine.

[0041] When the outlet pressure of a pressurizing machine or the inlet pressure of a piping network can be reduced, a lot of energy can be saved and, as a result, the costs associated with the supply of energy can also be significantly reduced.

[0042] In particular, the following equation gives an idea of ​​the cost savings that can be obtained when a pressure reduction of Δp at the outlet of the pressurizing machine can be applied:

number

[0043] The various parameters are as follows: Δp = pressure drop at the compressor outlet V = volumetric flow rate R h = Driving time C e =Cost of electricity

[0044] According to the state of the art, there is still no good way to improve or optimize the energy and cost efficiency and / or increase the operating range of a system for pressurized fluids having a pressurized piping network subjected to varying loads at multiple piping outlets of the piping network.

[0045] In particular, there is no known method for setting the inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet of a piping network at an optimized inlet pressure to match the various demands for pressurized fluid that actually occur at the various pipe outlets of the piping network during operation.

[0046] From the above, it is also clear that the design of such a system for pressurized fluid, and its pressurized piping network, itself significantly influences the pressure drop occurring between the main piping inlet and the associated piping outlet, and consequently also the energy efficiency or energy consumption of the system for pressurized fluid, or the availability of sufficiently high pressure at the piping outlet of the piping network, which in turn affects its operating range.

[0047] For example, the pressure drop between the main pipe inlet and one or more pipe outlets can be reduced by increasing the inside diameter of a portion of the pipe network between the main pipe and an associated pipe outlet.

[0048] Another method of reducing the pressure drop between a main piping inlet and one or more piping outlets through a design change is to include a local pressure vessel as part of the portion of the piping network between the main piping and the associated piping outlet.

[0049] The pressure drop in the system for the pressurized fluid due to friction losses in the piping and other elements of the piping network can be reduced, and the efficiency and / or operating range of the system can be improved by still other means, such as by applying piping with reduced roughness, by reducing bends and other flow restricting elements in the piping network, by reducing the piping length between the pressurized machine at the main piping inlet and the piping outlet of the piping network, etc.

[0050] According to the current state of the art, there is no good way to evaluate possible adaptations of existing piping networks to optimize energy and cost efficiency and / or to improve the operating range of the system for pressurized fluids in which the pressurized piping network is incorporated. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0051] The present invention aims to provide a method for optimizing or improving the efficiency of a system for pressurized fluid, such as a compressed air system, comprising a pressurized piping network subjected to varying loads, with the aim of course to minimize the energy costs associated with passing the pressurized fluid through the piping network.

[0052] In particular, a possible objective of the present invention is to develop a method that can evaluate the pressure drop occurring in an existing pressurized piping network during operation of the piping network to supply pressurized fluid to user locations and to explore the possibility of reducing the required inlet pressure at the main piping inlet of the piping network.

[0053] Another possible objective of the present invention is to find a way to evaluate possible modifications to an existing piping network of a system for pressurized fluids that may reduce the pressure drop or avoid the loss of a sufficiently high pressure at the piping outlet with the intention of optimizing the energy and cost efficiency and / or improving the operating range of the associated system for pressurized fluids, whereby the installation costs and the economic benefits from the reduction in energy costs are evaluated against each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0054] To this end, the invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of a system for pressurized fluid comprising a pressurized piping network with a main piping inlet and a number of piping outlets arranged at user locations spaced apart from one another, at the main piping inlet of the piping network an inlet pressure is provided by a source of pressurized fluid of the system for pressurized fluid, the piping network being subjected to different loads at the piping outlets due to different demands for pressurized fluid during operation of user devices or equipment connected to the piping outlets at the user locations, the method comprising the evaluation of one or more virtual rearrangements of the system, which include: - A calculation of the potential financial savings (PFS) due to increased energy efficiency or reduced energy consumption caused by such a relocation of the system against the cost of relocating the system, which may include a measurement of the pressure in the system; -Evaluation of potential financial savings (PFS); and - Proposal to the user of one or more virtual relocations for implementation if there is a positive potential financial savings (PFS).

[0055] A great advantage of such a method according to the invention is that by performing a number of calculations, e.g. by computer or other electronic means, for a possible virtual rearrangement of a piping network or system for pressurized fluid, it allows improving or optimizing the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of the system for pressurized fluid and predicting potential economic savings to be expected when such a rearrangement is actually carried out.

[0056] In this way, various scenarios can be evaluated and compared with each other. The method is therefore highly useful for making decisions regarding modifications to the design of existing systems for pressurized fluids, in particular regarding increasing the energy efficiency or decreasing the energy consumption and / or the operating range of the systems for anticipated pressurized fluids. The method is not intended to design a complete system for pressurized fluids from scratch.

[0057] Preferably, in the method, various virtual rearrangements for the system for the pressurized fluid are automatically generated. In another preferred method according to the invention, the calculation of potential economic savings and the comparison between several such generated virtual rearrangements are performed automatically.

[0058] The calculation is preferably based on measurements and / or monitoring of actual pressure loads measured in existing systems of pressurized fluids during normal duty cycles and under actual operating conditions. For example, the pressure development at the main pipe inlet and at the various pipe outlets of the piping network can be monitored for that purpose.

[0059] An advantage of such a method according to the invention is that it allows detection of critical parts of a piping network with high pressure or flow requirements, and the method also allows measures to be taken to reposition the piping network so as to make such relevant part or parts of the piping network less critical.

[0060] Yet another important advantage of such a method according to the invention is that it allows to save a lot of energy, which results in a significant reduction in operating costs, CO2 emissions...

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method comprises at least the following steps: -a) generating a set of one or more theoretical pipe networks (TPNs) to which a rearrangement on the system is virtually applied; - b) calculating the Potential Financial Savings (PFS) for each possible virtual relocation of systems in the set; - c) retaining one or more of the calculated Potential Financial Savings (PFS) and corresponding virtual relocation of the system; - d) assessing whether there is at least one or more hypothetical rearrangements of the system in the set that yielded positive potential financial savings (PFS) during the calculation; - e) stopping the method if during the calculating step, there is no virtual relocation of the system within the set that yields a positive potential financial savings (PFS); and - f) if there is at least one virtual rearrangement of the system within the set that yielded a positive potential economic savings (PFS) during the calculating step, suggesting to the user for implementation one or more of the virtual rearrangements that yielded a positive potential economic savings (PFS) during the calculating step.

[0062] Such a method according to the invention is highly advantageous in that decisions regarding modifications of an existing system for pressurized fluids can be made rationally and easily with the aid of a computer or other electronic means and by comparing predictions or calculations made to a virtually modified version of that system for pressurized fluids.

[0063] Preferably, the various virtual rearrangements of the system for pressurized fluid are generated automatically, for example by a computer or other electronic means, based on measurements of pressures in the existing system, and the calculations are preferably based on such measurements and are performed automatically by such a computer or other electronic means. In this way, a very realistic prediction of the performance of the system for the modified pressurized fluid can be made very quickly.

[0064] In yet another preferred method according to the invention, in step c), the maximum potential economic savings (PFS) and the corresponding virtual rearrangement of the systems are stored in an electronic storage means, e.g. a hard disk or other memory, and in step f), at least if this maximum potential economic savings is positive, the virtual rearrangement of the systems in the set having the maximum potential economic savings (PFS) is proposed to the user for implementation.

[0065] Such a method according to the invention naturally has the advantage that from a set of proposed virtual and analyzed rearrangements of the system for pressurized fluid, the rearrangement that is most promising for improving energy efficiency or reducing energy consumption and / or operating range and potential economic savings is selected, preferably automatically, e.g. by a computer or other electronic means.

[0066] However, it is not excluded from the present invention to apply further methods, e.g. computer-implemented methods in which the investment or capital expenditure required to implement the modification of the system for pressurized fluid is also taken into account, e.g. high potential economic savings can be reached, but the investment required to implement the corresponding relocation may still be too high to be attractive to implement.

[0067] In another method according to the invention, the step a) of generating a set of one or more theoretical piping networks (TPNs) comprises the following steps: -h) determining the most important pipe outlets of a pipe network or a previously generated theoretical pipe network (TPN); i) assess whether any abnormalities have occurred at the most important relevant pipe outlets; j) generating a theoretical piping network, in which the inlet pressure is virtually reduced, if no abnormalities are found at the most important piping outlets; and - k) if an anomaly is found at the most important pipe outlet, generating a theoretical pipe network with a virtually corrected portion of the pipe network leading to the most important pipe outlet.

[0068] A first major advantage of such a method according to the invention is that it includes a step in which the most important pipe outlet of the piping network, or of a previously generated theoretical piping network (TPN), is determined. In fact, at that most important pipe outlet, there is a possibility of reducing the pressure drop and thus the inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet, and therefore, perhaps, the most likely possibility of improving the energy efficiency or reducing the energy consumption. Additionally or alternatively, it can be expected that in the part of the piping network leading to the most important pipe outlet, a modification or rearrangement of the piping network is most effective to improve the energy efficiency or reduce the energy consumption or to reduce the pressure drop occurring in that part, improving the operating range of the system.

[0069] A second major advantage of such a method according to the invention is that in a next step it is evaluated whether an anomaly has occurred at the relevant most important pipe outlet. Such an anomaly exists when the pressure at the most important pipe outlet falls below the minimum pressure required at the corresponding user location at any time. Indeed, in that case, the relevant most important pipe outlet may not be supplied with a sufficiently high pressure, so that it is not guaranteed that the equipment at the corresponding user location can always function.

[0070] If no anomalies are detected, there is always excess pressure at the pipe outlet of the piping network, which means that the system for pressurized fluids can be improved by lowering the inlet pressure, which is proposed as a step of the (computer-implemented) method.

[0071] On the other hand, if an anomaly is detected, it may be possible to remedy the anomaly without having to increase the inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet by modifying the part of the pipe network leading to the most important pipe outlet, which is proposed in another step of the associated (computer-implemented) method.

[0072] Obviously, the proposed method according to the invention is a straightforward method for improving systems for pressurized fluids and is suitable for implementation on a computer or other electronic means.

[0073] In a preferred method according to the invention, the step h) of determining the most important pipe outlets of the pipe network, or of a previously generated theoretical pipe network (TPN), comprises the following steps: - l) determining, for one or more pipe outlets, the minimum pressure required at any time at the corresponding user location, which can be done without interrupting the operation at that user location; - m) determining a measurement period corresponding to a normal duty cycle of the piping network during which the pressure at the main pipe inlet and at the pipe outlet is measured; and -n) Measuring or setting the inlet pressure at the main pipe inlet and measuring the pressure at the associated pipe outlet during the measurement period.

[0074] Obviously, such a method according to the invention is very practical in that it includes the steps necessary to obtain correct information from the system by carrying out several measurements of pressure, which make it possible to determine the most important pipe outlets and to detect the presence or absence of anomalies at said most important pipe outlets.An additional advantage of such a method is that it collects information from an existing system during operation, so that the actual situation is taken into account when making calculations and predictions regarding potential economic savings.

[0075] Preferably, the pressure at the main pipe inlet and the associated pipe outlet are measured synchronously during the measurement period in step n) of the method.

[0076] Of course, only by simultaneously measuring the pressure at the main pipe inlet and the associated pipe outlet during a normal duty cycle will an accurate view of the actual pressure drop development occurring in a pressurized pipe network be obtained.

[0077] Preferably, the pressure measurement is performed during the complete measurement period, for example in an analog manner, so that the important situation that there is a need for high pressure at the main pipe inlet is not lost due to the simultaneous occurrence of high pressure or maximum pressure load at the pipe outlet during the duty cycle.

[0078] In a possible preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the measurements of the pressure during the measurement period in step n) of the method are digital pressure measurements performed simultaneously at the various relevant pipe outlets, which are performed at discrete times during the measurement period. The calculations and findings in the further steps of the method are then performed on this group of discrete digital measured values.

[0079] An advantage of digital measurement of pressure is that such a method of measurement results in digital data of the measured pressure, and this type of data is suitable for further processing with currently available data processing means such as computers.

[0080] It is clear that the discrete points in time must be close enough together so that important pressure load situations are not overlooked. This is currently no longer a problem, as high-level electronic measuring devices are available everywhere.

[0081] Details of the measurements, the process for generating a set of theoretical piping networks, calculations, evaluation of the presence or absence of anomalies at the most important piping outlets, and presenting the most likely scenario or scenarios to the user are further explained in the description by means of the drawings.

[0082] Preferably, the method according to the invention is performed using electronic means and / or is a computer-implemented method.

[0083] The methods according to the invention are also typically suitable for implementation as a computer program comprising instructions that cause a computer to carry out the methods when the program is executed by a computer.

[0084] The invention also relates to a data processing device or a computer comprising a processor and / or a computer program adapted to carry out the steps of the method of the invention.

[0085] Moreover, the invention also relates to a compressor, comprising a data processing device or computer according to the invention.

[0086] Finally, the invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0087] The invention will now be further explained with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0088] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for pressurized fluid comprising a piping network to which the method according to the present invention may be applied in order to improve energy efficiency or reduce energy consumption and / or to increase the operating range of the system for pressurized fluid. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the piping network of FIG. 1, with a detailed symbolization of possible equipment at the piping outlets of the piping network. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows, at a highly generalized level, a flowchart of a method according to the present invention for improving the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of a system for pressurized fluid having a pressurized piping network subjected to varying loads at some piping outlets. [Figure 4] 2 illustrates, in flowchart form, detailed steps of a method for evaluating one or more virtual rearrangements of a piping network. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates in detail, in flow chart form, the steps involved in carrying out step a) depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 4; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates in detail, in flow chart form, the steps involved in the execution of step h) depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 shows further details regarding steps i), j) and k) shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 illustrates in detail, in flow chart form, the steps involved in the execution of step k) depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 illustrates in detail, in flow chart form, the steps involved in carrying out step b) depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 4; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 shows a first situation with typical fluctuations in the pressure measured at two pipe outlets of a piping network in a situation where no anomalies have occurred, in particular before an improvement in the efficiency and / or an increase in the operating range of a system for pressurized fluid is realized using the method according to the invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 shows, in a similar manner to FIG. 10, the calculated variations in pressure that can be expected at two pipe outlets of a pipe network after a hypothetical reduction in the inlet pressure and after optimization or improvement or first steps have been carried out, such as improving the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of the system for pressurized fluid using the method according to the invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 illustrates, in a similar manner to FIG. 10, a second situation with another typical pressure fluctuation measured at two pipe outlets of a piping network when an anomaly occurs, again before the method according to the invention has been used to obtain an improved efficiency and / or improved operating range of the system for pressurized fluid. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows the theoretically calculated change in pressure expected at one of the two outlets when the piping network behind the situation depicted in FIG. 12 is virtually rearranged, for example by expanding the diameter of the pipes in the piping network. [Figure 14] 14A and 14B show expected situations corresponding to those depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 at two outlets after a virtual rearrangement of the piping network has been performed, the inlet pressure has been virtually lowered, the efficiency of the system for pressurized fluid has been improved, and / or the operating range has been increased by the method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0089] FIG. 1 shows a main pipe inlet (MPI) 3 and multiple pipe outlets 4 (PO1, PO2, PO3, ... PO N ) and a piping network 2 having N piping outlets 4 in total.

[0090] The pipe outlets 4 are spaced apart from one another and are represented in FIG. 1 by the dashed area, i.e., user locations 5 (UL1, U2, UL3, ...UL N ) As explained in the introduction, the distance between the user locations 5 depends on the application and may be up to a few meters or a few hundred meters, or even up to a kilometer or more.

[0091] A main pipe piece 6 extends from the main pipe inlet 3. This main pipe piece 6 branches into several pipe branches 7 and pipe sub-branches 8.

[0092] Each pipe outlet 4 (PO1,PO2,PO3,...PO N ) is connected to a main pipe inlet 3 (MPI) by piping formed by a combination of a main pipe piece 6 and a pipe branch 7, and possibly one or more pipe sub-branches 8. In other configurations, further sub-branches can of course be connected to the sub-branch 8, etc. The configuration of Figure 1 is merely an example.

[0093] Figure 1 shows A1, A2, A3, ... A N User devices or equipment 9, shown as piping outlets 4 in the embodiment, are provided at the user locations 5 and are connected to corresponding piping outlets 4 of the associated user location 5 with the intention of being supplied with pressurized fluid, typically pressurized air, by the piping network 2.

[0094] In the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, such equipment 9 is represented by a square box, but in reality such equipment 9 may be any tool or device, or combination of tools or devices, that requires pressurized fluid.

[0095] In order to supply pressurized fluid to the piping network 2 and to the equipment 9 through the piping network 2, an inlet pressure P IN Pressurized fluid is supplied by a source 10 of pressurized fluid of a system 1 for pressurized fluid.

[0096] This source 10 of pressurized fluid is typically a compressor 11 (COMP) of the system 1 for pressurized fluid, which is also the case in the embodiment of FIG. 1, although other sources can also be used for this purpose.

[0097] The compressor 11 has at its inlet 12 a pressure PC IN Uncompressed air is taken in.

[0098] In the compressor 11, this air is compressed and the compressed air is at a high pressure PC OUT is discharged.

[0099] During operation of a user device or equipment 9 connected to the pipe outlet 4 at a user location 5, the pipe network 2 is subjected to different loads at the pipe outlet 4 due to different demands for pressurized fluid.

[0100] FIG. 1 further shows that the system 1 for pressurized fluid also comprises a computer 14 or other electronic processing means, by which, for example, the pipe outlet 4 (PO i ) the pressure P measured at POi , or the inlet pressure P measured at the main pipe inlet 3 IN , and possibly further other measured or unmeasured parameters can be processed.

[0101] The aforementioned pressure P IN and P POi To measure the pressure, pressure, or other pressure, as well as possibly further parameters, the system 1 for pressurized fluids comprises measuring means 15. Such measuring means 15 can be, for example, a pressure gauge 15, which can be an analog or digital pressure gauge, but other measuring means 15, such as a temperature sensor or other sensors, can be part of such measuring means 15.

[0102] Finally, the system 1 for pressurized fluids also comprises communication means 16 for transferring data or parameters measured by the measuring means 15 to a computer 14 or other electronic processing means. In the case of Fig. 1 these communication means are formed by a network of data cables 16 connecting the measuring means 15 to the computer 14. In other applications these communication means 16 may be wireless or even other communication means 16 may be applied.

[0103] FIG. 2 shows the situation of one of the pipe outlets 4 in more detail.

[0104] The equipment 9 is represented in this case by a pneumatically driven machine tool 17 which is connected by a flexible pneumatic hose 18 to a pipe outlet 4 of the pipe network 2 , from which pressurized fluid at the pipe outlet 4 is extracted during operation by the machine tool 17 .

[0105] At the same piping outlet 4 , there is also a valve 19 that is not connected to any device 9 .

[0106] With the aim of orienting the reader to the problems encountered in such a system 1 for pressurized fluid, two situations will now be considered.

[0107] In the first situation, the valve 19 is opened without the use of a machine tool 17 and without any (useful) load being applied on the valve 19 .

[0108] In this case, the pressure at or near the pipe outlet 4 (P POi ) is the atmospheric pressure P atm A portion of the piping network 2 is connected to the outlet pressure PC OUT High pressure P is equal to IN and atmospheric pressure P atm The pressure difference P IN -P atm By opening the valve 19, the fluid accelerates in the pipe branch 7 and the sub-branch 8 to the pipe outlet 4 where it reaches a constant velocity. IN and atmospheric pressure P atm As soon as the pressure ratio between the pressures is large enough, i.e., when this ratio is higher than the critical minimum pressure ratio (air around 1.89), the fluid starts to flow in the so-called choked flow regime. The fluid then leaves the associated pipe outlet 4 with a maximum velocity equal to the speed of sound.

[0109] Total pressure drop across the relevant piping section ΔP tot In this case, P IN and atmospheric pressure P atm or the specific critical pressure P for choked flow c is equal to the difference between tot=P IN -P atm or ΔP tot =P IN -P c ).

[0110] This pressure drop ΔP1 across the relevant pipe section includes a kinetic component due to the increase in the velocity of the fluid in the pipe network 1 and a pressure component caused by friction losses in the section of the pipe network 2 connecting the main pipe inlet 3 to the relevant pipe outlet 4. In practice, the kinetic component is assumed to be negligible.

[0111] If we assume that the flow in this piping network 1 is turbulent, the friction loss is the square of the fluid velocity (v 2 ) and approximately inversely proportional to the diameter of the associated pipe.

[0112] As explained in the introduction, many other factors play a role.

[0113] Nevertheless, in this case, the pressure is the inlet pressure P IN From atmospheric pressure P atm or the critical pressure P in the case of choked flow c It can be seen that the pressure must be reduced to ΔP1 = ΔP2. Pressurized fluids, such as compressed air, reach relatively high velocities, or even velocities equal to the speed of sound, and are accompanied by high friction losses. In this first case, the following is valid: ΔP1 = ΔP2 tot =P IN -P atm or ΔP1 = ΔP tot =P IN -P c .

[0114] In the second situation, the valve 19 is closed and the machine tool 17 is used. In this case, there is a pressure drop ΔP3 over the machine tool 17 because pressurized fluid is used to perform some mechanical work with the tool 17.

[0115] Additionally, there is a pressure drop ΔP 2 in the flexible hose 18 connecting the machine tool 17 to the pipe outlet 4 .

[0116] In this case, the inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 of the piping network 2 IN from the atmospheric pressure P at the outlet of the machine tool 17 atm Total pressure drop ΔP up to tot is made up of three components: a first pressure drop ΔP1 due to the acceleration of the fluid in the piping network 2 and friction losses, a second pressure drop ΔP2 due to the acceleration of the fluid and friction losses in the flexible hose 18, and a third pressure drop ΔP3, which is the pressure useful for performing mechanical work at the tool 17 (ΔP tot =ΔP1+ΔP2+ΔP3).

[0117] In this case, the pressure P at the pipe outlet 3 of the pipe network 1 POi is the inlet pressure P IN and atmospheric pressure P atm and depends on the characteristics of the flexible pneumatic hose 19 and the pneumatic machine tool 17, and the use of the tool 17.

[0118] When the machine tool 17 or any other machine tool connected to the piping network 2 is not yet in use and no pressurized fluid is flowing through the piping network 2, the pressure P at the pipe outlet 4 of the piping network 2 POi is the inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 IN is roughly equal to

[0119] However, as soon as the mechanical tool 17 or any other mechanical tool connected to the network is used, some pressurized fluid will flow through the piping network 2 and friction losses within the piping network 2 will also occur.

[0120] Furthermore, as soon as the machine tool 17 is used, some pressurized fluid also flows through the flexible hose 19 and additional friction losses occur in the machine tool 17 .

[0121] Therefore, the pressure P at the pipe outlet 4 POi , the more pressurized fluid is consumed by the machine tool 17, the more this pressure P POi decreases.

[0122] The consumption of pressurized fluid at other pipe outlets 4 of the piping network 2 other than the pipe outlet 4 to which the machine tool 17 is connected is also calculated by the pressure P POi It is clear that this will have an impact on

[0123] When the machine tool 17 is used at its maximum capacity, at least some minimum pressure P is required at the pipe outlet 4 to provide sufficient pressurized fluid. POi req It can be easily seen that is always required.

[0124] Typically, the piping network 2 is designed to limit the pressure drop ΔP1 between the main piping inlet 3 and the associated piping outlet 4, so that at any one time there is a required minimum pressure P POi req is available.

[0125] In reality, however, the piping network 2 can be considerably extended, with many branches 7 and sub-branches 8, with widely varying distances between the main piping inlet 3 and the associated piping outlet 4, and with equipment 9 of all kinds having power demands that can vary greatly in time.

[0126] From the above description it will be understood that it is not obvious to take into account all factors and possibly changing demands already at the design stage.

[0127] In addition, the pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 IN By setting the pressure at each pipe outlet 4 sufficiently high, the minimum required pressure P POi req can be secured.

[0128] The disadvantage of such a method of designing the piping network 2 is that the equipment 9 is not or almost never actually used simultaneously at its maximum capacity, so that the pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 IN is usually set at an unnecessarily high level.

[0129] Pressure P at main pipe inlet 3IN The higher the pressure PC at the outlet pipe 13 of the compressor 11, OUT , more energy is consumed by the compressor 11, and the costs associated with the energy consumption are higher.

[0130] Possibly, a pressure P is supplied at one or more pipe outlets 4 of the pipe network 2. POi For example, the pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 may be too low. IN Some anomalies can occur due to a (temporary) shortage of the pressurized fluid and / or a (temporary) too high demand for pressurized fluid at one or more pipe outlets 4. The occurrence of such an anomaly can be avoided by changing the pressure at the main pipe inlet 3 or by changing the source 10 of the pressurized fluid. However, from an economic point of view it is often preferable to redesign the system 1 for pressurized fluid, for example by adapting the internal diameter of parts of the pipe network 2 or by including one or more local pressure vessels in the pipe network 2. The focus of the present invention is mainly on the last solution.

[0131] The present invention provides a method for improving or optimizing the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of such a system 1 for pressurized fluid having a piping network 2 under varying loads at the piping outlet 4, which is for an existing system 1. In particular, such a method according to the invention takes into account the actual loads occurring at the piping outlet 4 of the piping network 2 during a normal duty cycle. Based on these data retrieved under real operating conditions of the designed system, the method makes suggestions for improving the efficiency or operating range of the initially designed system 1. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of: determining the pressure P at the main piping inlet 3 of the piping network 3; IN This allows the user to set the threshold at a level that is not unnecessarily high.

[0132] Such a method according to the invention will now be described in detail.

[0133] FIG. 3 represents a flow chart describing in most general terms the steps involved in the method according to the invention.

[0134] The method according to the invention involves an assessment of virtually created rearrangements of the original design of the system 1 and a calculation of the potential economic savings PFS that may be obtained associated with those virtual rearrangements. This is represented in box 20 of the flow chart of FIG. 3.

[0135] The calculations are possibly based on measurements of pressure or other parameters within the system 1 during operation.

[0136] Calculation of such potential economic savings PFS includes calculation of cost savings due to improved energy efficiency or reduced energy consumption resulting from such reconfiguration of system 1, and increased costs of implementing and maintaining such reconfiguration of the system.

[0137] Of course, only relocations that increase energy efficiency or reduce energy consumption, or the operating range of the system 1, can contribute to the cost-saving PFS. Usually, the savings, due to increased energy efficiency or due to reduced energy consumption, accumulate gradually during operation and depend on the expected lifespan of the system 1. On the other hand, the implementation of a relocation of the initially designed system 1 is usually rather concentrated in a short period of time and should be augmented by the costs of maintenance, which are often recurring costs at regular time intervals. The costs of implementation and maintenance are therefore of a different nature and can be spread by bank loans, etc. This means that the calculation of the potential economic savings PFS can depend heavily on the planned time of use of the relevant system 1 to pressurize the fluid.

[0138] Based on the calculations made, the method according to the invention further evaluates whether there are any proposed hypothetical rearrangements of system 1 that are expected to improve the efficiency or operating range of system 1 such that cost savings are expected. This step of evaluating the potential economic savings PFS of the method is represented by diamond shape 21 in FIG.

[0139] If there are no hypothetically created rearrangements that are expected to produce a positive potential economic savings PFS, the method is stopped, as represented by box 22 in FIG.

[0140] In the method, when there is one or more of the virtual rearrangements in the created set of virtual rearrangements that is expected to generate a potential economic saving PFS, the one or more of the virtual rearrangements are presented to the user for possible implementation. In a preferred method according to the invention, at least or only the virtual rearrangement corresponding to the largest expected potential economic saving PFS is presented to the user, although it is of course not excluded from the invention to provide the user with as much information as desired. This step of the method is represented in box 23 of FIG.

[0141] FIG. 4 shows a detailed flow chart of the steps included in the portion of the method relating to the evaluation of one or more virtual rearrangements of the piping network 2 of the system 1 for pressurized fluid.

[0142] In a first step a), represented in box 24 of FIG. 4, a set of one or more theoretical pipe networks TPN are generated with or without a set of constraints, such as the building geometry..., to which a virtual rearrangement on the system 1 for pressurized fluids is applied. The method of generating these theoretical pipe networks TPN will be explained further in the text in detail by other figures. In short, such a virtual rearrangement is performed with at least the inlet pressure P INand in some cases, but not necessarily, also includes a virtual modification of the piping network 2 in order to improve energy efficiency or reduce energy consumption and to avoid the presence of anomalies at one or more piping outlets 4.

[0143] In the next step b), represented in box 25 of figure 4, the potential economic savings PFS that are expected to be potentially realizable after implementation are calculated for each virtual rearrangement of the system 1 for pressurized fluid in the generated set of theoretical piping networks TPN. Details of a possible way to perform these calculations are explained further in the text by means of figure 9.

[0144] In a further step c) of the method according to the invention, represented in box 26 of figure 4, one or more of the calculated potential economic saving PFSs calculated in the previous step b) and one or more corresponding virtual rearrangements of the system 1 for pressurized fluid are preferably kept or stored in an electronic memory, such as a hard disk or any other storage means. In a preferred method according to the invention, at least the virtual rearrangement expected to generate the maximum potential economic saving PFS, and this maximum potential economic saving PFS, are stored in the memory.

[0145] The method further comprises an additional step d), represented by diamond shape 27 in FIG. 4, of evaluating whether there is at least one or more virtual rearrangements of the system 1 for pressurized fluid in the generated set that resulted in a positive potential economic saving PFS during calculation step b).

[0146] In step e) of the method according to the invention, it is decided to abandon the execution of further steps and therefore to stop the method if during the calculation step b) there is no virtual rearrangement of the system 1 for pressurized fluid in the generated set for which a positive potential economic saving PFS has been obtained. This step e) of the method is represented in box 28 of FIG.

[0147] On the other hand, if during calculation step b) there is at least one virtual rearrangement of system 1 for pressurized fluid in the generated set of theoretical piping networks TPN for which a positive potential economic saving PFS was obtained, step f) is executed, in which one or more of the virtual rearrangements for which a positive potential economic saving PFS was obtained during calculation step b) are proposed to the user for implementation.

[0148] Obviously, in a preferred method according to the invention, at least those hypothetical configurations expected to produce the greatest potential saving PFS are proposed for implementation, at least if these greatest potential saving PFS are positive. This step f) is represented in box 23 of Figure 4 and corresponds to step f) represented by box 23 of Figure 3.

[0149] The method preferably also includes step g), represented in box 29 of FIG. 4 , which presents to a user on a display unit the calculated potential economic savings PFS of system 1 for pressurized fluid of one or more rearrangements of system 1 in the generated set and the corresponding virtual rearrangements.

[0150] In Fig. 4, this step g) precedes the step d) of evaluating the calculated potential economic savings PFS, but it is not excluded from the invention to carry out a step g) of displaying the results to the user after the evaluation carried out in step d). The results displayed in step g) of the method may include data on the evaluation carried out in step d) and may be presented, for example, in a ranking from the most attractive to the least attractive scenarios, in which several rearrangements are suggested to the user. Of course, there are several other possibilities.

[0151] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the steps involved in the execution of step a) of generating one or more sets of theoretical piping networks TPN, and the order in which these steps are performed, as represented in Figure 4. This flow chart is still at a very general level for a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the details of which will be clarified further in this specification by Figures 6 to 8.

[0152] The first step involved in the generation of one or more theoretical pipe networks TPN, represented in the lower part of FIG. 5 in box 30, is the selection of the most important pipe outlets PO of the pipe network 2 or of a previously generated theoretical pipe network TPN. i c and h) determining:

[0153] Of course, at the initial start of this procedure for generating a theoretical piping network TPN, in this step h), in fact always the piping network 2 forms the basis for generating a theoretical piping network TPN. It is only after already generating one or more theoretical piping networks TPN that such a theoretical piping network TPN can possibly serve as the basis for generating further theoretical piping networks TPN in this step h).

[0154] The most important pipe outlet PO of the pipe network 2 i c The steps possibly involved in determining the piping outlet PO of the most important piping network 2 will be explained in more detail in the text with reference to FIG. i All piping outlets PO i The smallest minimum overpressure SMO or the smallest hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO v Pipe outlet PO required i c It can already be said that this is the case.

[0155] This is the most important piping outlet PO i cThis minimum minimum overpressure is either the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO, depending on whether the relevant pressure is a measured actual pressure or a calculated pressure. v This real or virtual overpressure is defined to be positive or negative and is referred to as the overpressure at the associated pipe outlet PO i c In the event of excessive pressure in the critical piping outlet PO i c These correspond to situations where there is insufficient pressure in

[0156] The next step, which involves the generation of one or more theoretical piping networks TPN, is step i), which is represented by the diamond shape 31 in FIG. 5 and which is generated by the relevant most important piping outlets PO determined in step h). i c As explained before, during a certain time interval Δt, the relevant determined most important piping outlet PO i c The measured pressure P at POi or the calculated virtual pressure P POi v However, the piping outlet PO i The minimum pressure required at POi req When the output voltage falls below PO i This corresponds to the presence of a pressure deficiency (real or imaginary) or a negative excess pressure (real or imaginary) in the

[0157] The most important pipe outlet PO i c The most important situation is that no abnormality exists at the piping outlet PO i c The minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO in vis strictly positive, which means that there is always excess pressure (real or imaginary) in the system 1. An example of such a situation is shown in FIG. 10, which shows the measured pressure P over time during operation at two pipe outlets PO1 and PO2. PO1 and P PO2 In this example, the change in the first pipe outlet P O1 is the most important piping outlet P O1 c It is.

[0158] The most important pipe outlet PO i c If no such anomaly is found in the pipeline 2, step j) is performed, represented by box 32 in FIG. 5 and generating a theoretical pipeline TPN, in which the inlet pressure P IN is a certain quantity ΔP decr The virtual decrease in

[0159] In this case, the most important pipe outlet PO i c Since there is no abnormality even at i As a result, the inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 for the theoretical pipe network TPN is IN The proposed hypothetical pressure drop ΔP decr When the theoretical piping network TPN is implemented, the most important piping outlet PO i c It can be selected so that there is still nothing abnormal.

[0160] This means that the generated theoretical piping network TPN is IN is virtually lowered, thus improving energy efficiency or reducing energy consumption, but during normal operation, all piping outlets PO i It is still expected to be fully functional in

[0161] In that case, if the decision step h) is performed on the original real piping network 2, the generated theoretical piping network TPN will be reduced by the hypothetical reduced inlet pressure P IN while no other virtual rearrangements of the piping network 2 are further proposed.

[0162] On the other hand, in that case, if the decision step h) is performed on the already generated theoretical piping network TPN, the newly generated theoretical piping network TPN will be subjected to a hypothetical reduced inlet pressure P IN while a virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 is further proposed. This will become clear when the other steps of the method, in particular step k), are explained in more detail in the text.

[0163] The next step of the method according to the invention, represented by box 33 in FIG. 5, is to reduce the virtually reduced inlet pressure P IN to a set of such generated theoretical piping networks TPNs.

[0164] This also means that the set of theoretical piping networks TPN generated by this method has an inlet pressure P IN Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the proposed hypothetical rearrangement of the system 1 is actually implemented, the inlet pressure P IN The proposed drop in the pressure is based on the fact that the system 1 for pressurized fluid has all piping outlets PO during the total operating period. i It is something that functions in.

[0165] In fact, according to the invention, it is possible to obtain the maximum possible amount ΔP while still keeping the system 1 for pressurized fluid functioning during the entire operation period. decr At the inlet pressure P IN It is preferable to reduce

[0166] However, a large amount of inlet pressure P IN Virtual drop in ΔP decr Step j) is carried out by proposing the pipe outlet POi In one of the following, a virtual abnormality or negative virtual overpressure OP POi v It is not excluded from the present invention to generate a theoretical piping network TPN in which the is virtually generated. This can be particularly attractive in the steps described in the next paragraph.

[0167] In fact, diamond shape 34 in FIG. 5 represents a possible step of the method according to the invention, in which it is evaluated whether the generated theoretical piping network TPN is to be used as a basis for generating another theoretical piping network TPN.

[0168] When the generated theoretical piping network TPN serves as a basis for generating another theoretical piping network TPN (if "yes"), path 35 is followed.

[0169] The method further includes the most important pipe outlet PO i c The method continues by executing step k) of generating a theoretical piping network TPN having a virtually modified portion of the piping network 2 leading to the piping outlet PO i The most important exit point i c To evaluate the virtual pressure P poi v Whenever required, the inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 IN The proposed hypothetical drop in ΔP decr All piping outlets PO that are virtually lowered due to i In this case, the virtual pressure P poi v Note that, is (re)computed.

[0170] Furthermore, the diamond shape 36 in FIG. 5 indicates that the next step of the method may consist of evaluating whether any further theoretical piping networks TPN should be generated based on the original piping network 2 .

[0171] If this is the case, path 37 of this flowchart points back to the same step k) of generating the theoretical pipeline TPN with virtual modifications to the relevant part of the pipeline 2 .

[0172] If not, the process of generating the theoretical piping network TPN is essentially finished, represented by box 39 in FIG. 5, and the set of generated theoretical piping networks TPN is reduced inlet pressure P IN Flowchart path 38 proceeds to the step of holding at.

[0173] So far, we have described the vertical path through the flow chart of FIG. 5, which is the most important one in step i) at the pipe outlet PO i c This corresponds to path 40 which is followed when no anomalies are found in the test. However, a further important and essential step of the method, namely step k), requires clarification, which is achieved via path 41 of the flow chart.

[0174] Step k) of the method according to the invention is the step of: i c This is executed when an abnormality is found in the piping outlet PO i c Minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO v is zero or negative (≦0). In this case, the most important pipe outlet PO i c The measured pressure P at POi or the (calculated) virtual pressure P POi v However, the piping outlet PO i c Minimum required pressure P PO1 req Dealing with situations where the

[0175] An example of such a situation is shown in FIG. 12, which shows the measured pressure P over time during operation at two pipe outlets PO1 and PO2. PO1 and P PO2 In this example, the change in the first pipe outlet P O1is still the most important piping outlet P O1 c It is.

[0176] In that case, in step k), represented by box 42 in FIG. 5, the most important pipe outlet PO i c A theoretical network TPN is generated with virtually modified parts of the network 2 leading to the network 1. The aim of the virtual rearrangement is of course to remove (possibly virtual) anomalies and to improve the energy efficiency or to reduce the energy consumption of the network 2 or of the theoretical network TPN, for example by enlarging the pipe diameter or by adding local pressure vessels. Such a virtual rearrangement can be a rearrangement by replacement of parts such as filters, regulators, lubricants, valves or other components in the network.

[0177] In the preferred method according to the invention, the most important pipe outlet P Oi c The step k) of generating a theoretical piping network TPN having a virtually modified part of the piping network 2 connected to the main piping inlet 3 and the most important piping outlet P Oi c is virtually corrected by an enlargement of the piping diameter D of one or more parts of the piping network 2 between

[0178] In another preferred method according to the invention, the most important pipe outlet P Oi c The step k) of generating a theoretical piping network TPN having a virtually modified part of the piping network 2 connected to the main piping inlet 3 and the most important piping outlet P Oi c The part of the piping network 2 between the

[0179] After generating such a theoretical piping network TPN having a virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2, the method continues by performing steps h) and i) again on this generated theoretical piping network TPN, represented by path 43 in Figure 5.

[0180] The most important pipe outlets PO of the generated theoretical pipe network TPN i c It should be appreciated that in step i) of assessing whether a particular anomaly exists in, the conclusion is that it is still possible that an anomaly exists.

[0181] In fact, this is the most important piping outlet PO i c During a specific time interval Δt, the pressure P POi or virtual pressure P POi v The minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v However, the piping network 2 or virtual piping network TPN, which was already negative or zero in the previous step (see steps i and k of the method in FIG. 5), becomes negative or zero after the introduction of the virtual rearrangement, i.e., the minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v This means that it will still be.

[0182] The reason is, for example, that the main pipe inlet 3 and the associated most important pipe outlet PO i c It may be that an enlarged pipe diameter D is chosen that is still not large enough to sufficiently reduce the pressure drop between the pipe and the drain. As a result, theoretically, practically useful economic savings PFS cannot be realized with respect to the original situation.

[0183] However, the "new" minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO v is the smallest measured minimum overpressure SMO or the smallest calculated virtual minimum overpressure SMO obtained in the previous round (steps i and k). v If the ΔV is "less" negative than ΔV, then some improvement in the efficiency of the system for pressurized fluid continues to be obtained.

[0184] In fact, in that case, by applying the proposed virtual relocation, the pressure shortage or the piping outlet PO i In order to avoid an abnormality occurring in any one of the main pipe inlet 3, the inlet pressure P IN The increase in can be kept smaller than in the case where the proposed virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 is not applied.

[0185] Therefore, in order to avoid such anomalies, the inlet pressure P IN When it is decided to increase the number of pressurized fluids, it still makes sense from an economic point of view to apply the proposed rearrangement. This method of improving the system 1 for pressurized fluids is not excluded from the invention. Nevertheless, these possible steps are not represented in the flowchart of the figure.

[0186] In the case of the drawing, the idea is to propose a virtual rearrangement to solve the problem of anomalies and accordingly adjust the inlet pressure P IN It may be necessary to repeat steps h), i), and k) multiple times to find or generate a suitable virtual rearrangement.

[0187] In practice, during these steps h), i) and k) of the method of the invention, the available or possibly realizable overpressure in the system 1 for the pressurized fluid is determined and then the inlet pressure P is calculated with the available overpressure. IN It is proposed to reduce

[0188] To determine this available overpressure, preferably several measurements are made and, depending on the level of abstraction, i.e. depending on the number of virtual parts or rearrangements contained in the associated generated theoretical piping network TPN, more or less estimations or calculations have to be made to determine the pressure that is actually expected to exist after the implementation of the virtual rearrangements.

[0189] Finally, in Fig. 5 there is a further diamond shape 44 representing an evaluation step, in which, when it is concluded during step h) that an anomaly exists in the investigated network 2 or in the theoretical network TPN, it is evaluated whether the process of generating the theoretical network TPN should continue or not. If the process is stopped, then flow chart path 45 is followed and the steps represented in Fig. 39 are carried out to determine whether the reduced inlet pressure P IN If not, step k) is of course performed.

[0190] FIG. 6 shows the most important pipe outlet PO of the pipe network 2, which is represented in box 30 of FIG. i c 1 is a flowchart detailing possible steps involved when executing step h) of determining the theoretical piping network TPN, or a previously generated theoretical piping network TPN.

[0191] The most important pipe outlet PO i c The first step in the process of determining the user position UL is method step l) represented in box 46 of FIG. 6. In this first method step l), for one or more pipe outlets 4, a corresponding user position UL i The minimum pressure P required at any time POi req is determined, and the user position UL i This allows operations to be performed without interruption.

[0192] In another step m) of such a method according to the invention, represented in box 47 of FIG. 6, a measurement period ΔTm corresponding to a normal duty cycle of the piping network 2 is determined, during which the pressure P IN , and the pressure P at the associated pipe outlet 4 PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON will be measured.

[0193] In the next step n) of the method according to the invention, described in box 48 of FIG. 6, the pressure P IN is the measurement period ΔT m and the pressure P at the associated pipe outlet 4 PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON is the measurement period ΔT m It is measured during.

[0194] Measurement period ΔT m Pressure P PO1 and P PO2 Examples of such measurements are depicted in Figs. 10 and 12 for two pipe outlets 4 of a pipe network 2, indicated with index 1 and index 2 respectively.

[0195] In a preferred method according to the invention, the pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 IN , and the pressure P at the associated pipe outlet 4 PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON is the measurement period ΔT in step n) of the method m The measurements are taken synchronously during the measurement.

[0196] This is preferable because in that way the total load experienced by the pipeline network 2 can be known at any time in the most accurate manner.

[0197] Measurement period ΔT m Pressure P IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON The variation in can be determined, for example, in a similar manner.

[0198] However, in the present state of the art in the preferred method according to the invention, the measurement period ΔT m Pressure P IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., PPON are digital pressure measurements carried out simultaneously at the various relevant pipe outlets 4, which are performed over a measurement period ΔT m The time series is executed at discrete times t1, t2, t3, ... in the time series.

[0199] At discrete times t1, t2, t3, ..., pressure P IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON must be close to each other compared to the speed at which the load changes at the pipe outlet 4 of the pipe network 2 occur so that the high load situation is not lost during the measurement.

[0200] In a preferred method according to the present invention, the most important pipe outlet PO i c The step h) of determining further comprises the steps of:

[0201] After measuring the relevant pressure in step n), the most important pipe outlet PO i c An assessment can be made, represented by the diamond shape 49 in FIG. 6, whether the piping network for which the value has to be determined is the original piping network 2 or a previously generated theoretical piping network TPN.

[0202] If the relevant piping network 2 is a previously generated theoretical piping network TPN, then path 50 of the flow chart of FIG. 6 is followed, in which case a possible next step in the method of the invention is step o), represented in box 51 of FIG. 6. This step o) involves the determination of a measurement period ΔT at one or more piping outlets 4 of the theoretical piping network TPN in respect of which a virtual modification or rearrangement of the piping network 2 is concerned. m During this, the virtual pressure P POi v This involves calculating

[0203] The pressure measurement value P obtained in step n) of the method IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3, ..., P PON is the pressure P existing in the actual piping network 2 IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON This step o) is necessary because it represents at least one or several pipe outlets PO i , and possibly all piping outlets PO i When introducing a virtual rearrangement in the piping network 2, the measured actual pressure P POi should not be taken into account, but the calculated virtual pressure P IN v and / or P POi v The most important piping outlets PO in the theoretical piping network TPN should be considered. i c When calculating the distance, a virtual rearrangement on the actual piping network 2 is proposed. Preferably, in step n), a measurement period ΔT m The pressure P measured during IN , P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON is the measurement period ΔT in the associated theoretical piping network TPN m In the above, the virtual pressure P IN v and / or P POi v Such a hypothetical pressure P POi v The pipe outlet PO to be calculated i are the pipe outlets POi that are expected to be significantly affected by the proposed virtual rearrangement of the pipe network 2.

[0204] The method further proceeds to step p), indicated by box 52 in FIG. 6, which is reached via path 53 in the flow chart if the piping network under investigation is a real piping network 2, or via path 54 after execution of step o). In this step p), the normally varying pressure P at each associated piping outlet 4 is POi or virtual pressure P POiv and the corresponding user position UL i The corresponding minimum pressure P required at any time in POi req The difference between and is the measurement period ΔT m The corresponding excess pressure OP at the relevant pipe outlet 4 is calculated during POi or Virtual Overpressure OP POi v These excess pressures OP POi or Virtual Overpressure OP POi v Also, usually, the measurement period ΔT m changes inside.

[0205] Overpressure OP POi or Virtual Overpressure OP POi v The term should be understood correctly. The measured pressure P at the pipe outlet 4 POi or the calculated virtual pressure P POi v and the corresponding minimum required pressure P at the pipe outlet 4 POi req Since it is the result of subtraction between and, such excess pressure OP POi or Virtual Overpressure OP POi v can be positive or negative.

[0206] This is because such excess pressure POi or Virtual Overpressure OP POi v However, if the calculation result is negative, this means that it may represent "negative pressure."

[0207] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the measurement period ΔT m During, positive measured overpressure OP PO1 and OP PO2 In the example shown in FIG. 12, only the pressure P PO1 is the measurement period ΔT m During a specific time interval Δt in PO1req This causes the excess pressure OP PO1 During the time interval Δt, the pressure P PO1 The minimum required pressure P at the pipe outlet PO1 is PO1 req The fact that the output voltage is lower than 10 V can be considered an anomaly to normal operating conditions.

[0208] In the method according to the present invention, the most important pipe outlet P Oi c The process of determining also includes a step q), represented by box 55 in FIG. 6, which determines the number of pipes 4 associated with each pipe outlet 4 (PO1, PO2, PO3, ... PO N ) for the measurement period ΔT m Minimum overpressure OP that occurs or is calculated during PO1 min , OP PO2 min , OP PO3 min , ...and the OP PON min , or related piping outlet PO i Depending on the minimum virtual overpressure OP PO1 vmin , OP PO2 vmin , OP PO3 vmin , ...and the OP PON vmin Each associated pipe outlet 4 (PO1, PO2, PO3, ... PO N ) minimum overpressure OP POi min or minimum virtual overpressure OP POi vmin A series of minimum overpressures OP consisting of POi min Or OP POi vmin are asked to obtain

[0209] Finally, the most important piping outlet P Oi c The process of determining is also represented in box 56 of FIG. 6 and ism The minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO occurring in the piping network 2 or the theoretical piping network TPN during v During this step r), the important piping outlet P Oi c is the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical overpressure SMO that has been generated or calculated. v Related piping outlet P Oi It is defined as:

[0210] This minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum virtual overpressure SMO v is the "actual" minimum overpressure OP existing in the actual piping network 2 POi min and the calculated hypothetical minimum overpressure OP of the associated pipe outlet 4 POi vmin and the overpressure of one of the pipe outlets 4 having the lowest value in the series consisting of, which is affected by the proposed virtual rearrangement of the pipe network 2. As mentioned above, the "real" minimum overpressure OP POi min is the measured pressure P POi and associated piping outlet PO i The result is the "actual" minimum overpressure OP POi min is usually calculated in practice, but the minimum overpressure OP POi min corresponds to something in fact.

[0211] In the example of Figure 10, the minimum overpressure SMO is the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min and this minimum excess pressure OP PO1 min In this case, the OP PO1 min and OP PO2 min This is because it is the smallest minimum overpressure SMO in a series of minimum overpressures consisting only of SMO.

[0212] In the example of FIG. 12, the minimum overpressure SMO is also the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min It is.

[0213] In this example of FIG. 12, the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min The absolute value of the minimum overpressure OP occurring at the pipe outlet PO2 PO2 min However, in this case, the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min has a negative value and therefore a positive minimum overpressure OP PO2 min The minimum overpressure OP PO2 min Less than.

[0214] Therefore, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO is again OP in this example PO1 min It is.

[0215] In a preferred method according to the invention, step r) is optionally preceded by a step pre-r), represented by box 57 in FIG. 6, of determining the minimum overpressure OP of all pipe outlets 4. POi min and associated hypothetical minimum overpressure OP POi vmin The series consists of the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO. v From the maximum minimum overpressure SMO or the maximum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v The rows are sorted according to increasing size.

[0216] In that case, step r) of the method is POi min and associated hypothetical minimum overpressure OP POi vmin The first value of the sorted sequence consisting of m The minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO that occurs or is calculated at the relevant pipe outlet 4 duringv This consists simply in taking

[0217] Minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v The determination of the most important piping outlet P Oi c , and also plays a role in step i) of FIG. 5, during which the most important piping outlet PO i c In fact, as explained previously, this step i) is carried out over the measurement period ΔT m During this, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO occurring in the piping network 2 v is greater than zero, which corresponds to the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0218] Minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v The determination of may also play a role in step j) of the method also depicted in FIG. 5, which is the step executed when no (real or hypothetical) anomaly is found during step i).

[0219] 7 is a flow chart illustrating steps i), j) and k) in detail. From this flow chart, it can be seen that, according to the invention, preferably in step j), the measurement period ΔT m The minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO that occurred or was calculated in the piping network 2 or the theoretical piping network TPN during v A quantity ΔP that is equal to, slightly greater than, or slightly less than decr The initial inlet pressure of the piping network 2 is P IN init It is clear that it is proposed to reduce

[0220] In this way, the compressor outlet pressure PC OUT The inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 is the same as IN is the initial inlet pressure PIN init The new inlet pressure P IN vnew The inlet pressure P IN vnew is the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO v , or a slightly larger or smaller pressure is subtracted (P IN vnew =P IN init -SMO or P IN vnew =P IN init -SMO v ).

[0221] Minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v A drop ΔP equal to decr The reason for choosing is, of course, the smallest minimum overpressure SMO or the smallest virtual minimum overpressure SMO. v is a good estimate of the overpressure that is available, or expected to be available, in the piping network 2 during actual operation.

[0222] Typically, the piping network 2 is designed so that the pressure drop in the piping network 2 due to friction losses at its maximum load is measured from the main pipe inlet 3 to the associated pipe outlet PO i The design is such that the deviation is 3 to 5% or less over the entire length of the piping.

[0223] Under these conditions, the pipe outlet PO i Minimum minimum overpressure SMO or minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure SMO v is a good measure for the pressure surplus available, or expected to be available, at the main pipe inlet 3, and the error introduced by this assumption is negligible under these conditions.

[0224] The advantage of such an embodiment of the method according to the invention is that the inlet pressure P INis set to a low level, which means that the piping outlet PO i Overpressure at OP POi or virtual minimum overpressure OP POi v is greater than zero, thus saving energy and costs. IN The amount by which the value of ΔP decreases decr Preferably, during operation, the piping outlet PO i are selected so that there are no abnormalities or pressure deficiencies in any of the above.

[0225] A slightly smaller amount of pressure Δ decr - The initial inlet pressure P IN init The reason why the initial inlet pressure P can be subtracted from IN init After lowering the most important piping outlet PO i c Pressure P at POi However, the piping outlet PO i c The corresponding minimum required pressure P POi req This is to maintain a small safety margin to ensure that the threshold is always kept higher than

[0226] If you do not need a safety margin, a slightly larger amount of pressure Δ decr + The initial inlet pressure P IN init This allows the available piping outlet PO i c At all times, the minimum required pressure P POi req It is possible to maximize the energy yield at the expense of having

[0227] FIG. 8 is another flow chart illustrating in detail a possible implementation of step k) of the method of the invention represented in FIG. 5, in which one or more theoretical piping networks TPN corresponding to a virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 are generated.

[0228] Of course, performing this step k) in a completely different way is not excluded from the invention.

[0229] Preferably, according to the invention, performing the steps of the method depicted in FIG. 3 for evaluating one or more virtual rearrangements of the system 1 for pressurized fluid includes determining whether a minimum minimum overpressure SMO is measured or whether a minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO is measured. v is required, and the main pipe inlet 3 and the most important pipe outlet PO i c and a corresponding theoretical piping network TPN is generated in step k of the method. The generation of such a TPN is represented by path 58 in FIG.

[0230] In another preferred method according to the invention, the execution of the step depicted in FIG. 3 of evaluating one or more virtual rearrangements of the system 1 for pressurized fluid is performed until a minimum minimum overpressure SMO is measured or a minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO is measured. v is required, and the main pipe inlet 3 and the most important pipe outlet PO i c and a corresponding theoretical pipeline TPN is generated in step k) of the method. The generation of such a TPN is represented by path 59 in FIG. 8.

[0231] Yet another possible virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 and the corresponding theoretical piping network TPN can be generated, which is represented by path 60 in FIG.

[0232] It may be attractive to use additional criteria to decide whether or not a particular hypothetical rearrangement of the pipeline network 2 should be evaluated. This is also true for the flowchart of FIG.

[0233] Such criteria may be a zero or negative minimum overpressure SMO or a minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO. v and the associated piping outlet PO i The period during which an anomaly occurs is ΔT an can be based on.

[0234] This period during which the anomaly occurs ΔT an is the total period and the associated pipe outlet PO i At this point, the measured pressure P POi or the calculated virtual pressure P POi v The piping outlet PO i and / or the corresponding user position UL i The minimum pressure P required at any time POi req Lower than.

[0235] Such criteria are not necessarily used in the method according to the invention, and whether or not a criterion is used can be determined in an additional step s) of the method, for example as illustrated by diamond shape 61 in the flowchart of FIG. 8.

[0236] The criteria used are, for example, the period during which the anomaly occurs, ΔT an is a certain given critical period ΔT crit This can comprise an assessment of whether the threshold exceeds

[0237] Such a possible use of the aforementioned criteria is illustrated, by way of example, by diamond 62 in the flow chart of FIG.

[0238] For example, in a preferred method according to the invention, the step of the method represented in FIG. 3 for evaluating a hypothetical rearrangement of the system 1 for pressurized fluid, more specifically, the step requires verifying the usefulness of the hypothetical rearrangement of the piping network 2 by enlarging the piping diameter D of a portion of the piping network 2, includes: an However, the predetermined period ΔT crit This corresponds to path 58 in FIG.

[0239] This occurs when the anomaly is large enough or exceeds a given period of time ΔT crit For a sufficiently long period of time ΔT an It makes sense to replace the entire pipe section of the piping network 2 with a pipe section having a larger diameter D only if the abnormality occurs during the period ΔT an When this occurs during heating, the problem is not easily solved by inserting a local pressure vessel, as this would require a pressure vessel that is too large.

[0240] Furthermore, in a further preferred method according to the invention, the steps of the method for evaluating a virtual rearrangement of a system 1 for pressurized fluid, represented in FIG. 3, more specifically in which a local buffer vessel is included in the piping network 2, the usefulness of which needs to be verified, are performed by determining a period ΔT an is the predetermined period ΔT crit This corresponds to path 59 in FIG.

[0241] For similar reasons, this type of application of the criteria also makes sense. In fact, the insertion of a local pressure vessel into the piping network 2 should be within acceptable limits, at least for the duration of the anomaly ΔT an This is only practically feasible when is not too large.

[0242] It is not excluded from the present invention to incorporate an evaluation of the usefulness of further virtual rearrangements of the piping network 2 to improve efficiency, for example by increasing the diameter of the piping or by including local pressure vessels, or virtual rearrangements that are combinations of the above rearrangements.

[0243] Another possible virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 or system 1 for pressurized fluid may include rearranging the compressor 11 so that the connection between the compressor 11 and the piping network 2 is made at a different location, for example at a branch 7 or a sub-branch 8.

[0244] Alternatively, additional sources of pressurized fluid 10 or compressors 11 can be inserted into the piping network 2, and further rearrangements of the piping network 2 can possibly be considered. This corresponds to path 60 in FIG.

[0245] Such additional evaluation of other virtual rearrangements of the pipeline network 2 may also be performed according to yet other criteria, although this is not necessarily in accordance with the present invention.

[0246] The virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 where the piping diameter D is enlarged (box 63 in FIG. 8 ) may include additional steps, for example, selecting a particular enlarged piping diameter D (box 64 in FIG. 8 ) and selecting a piping trajectory to which this enlarged diameter D should be applied (box 65 in FIG. 8 ).

[0247] The virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 where the local buffer vessel is to be inserted (box 66 in FIG. 8) may include additional steps, for example, selecting a particular pressure vessel size (box 67 in FIG. 8) and selecting a particular location where the pressure vessel is to be inserted (box 68 in FIG. 8).

[0248] Each generated theoretical piping network TPN for which a virtual rearrangement is proposed is then assigned the most important piping outlets P Oi c This is further analyzed and further adapted in steps h), i), and j) or k) of the method (see FIG. 5) starting with step h) of determining

[0249] By repeating the process, several different possible theoretical piping networks TPN or virtual rearrangements of the pressurized fluid system 1 can be generated. This is represented by the dashed path 69 in Figure 8, which somewhat summarizes the different possible paths in the flowchart of Figure 5, which may result in the generation of multiple theoretical piping networks TPN for which virtual rearrangements are proposed.

[0250] Finally, FIG. 9 shows in a final flow chart a possible detailed implementation of step b) represented in FIG. 4 and calculating the potential economic savings PFS for each theoretical piping network TPN generated in step a).

[0251] Prior to the start of this calculation, the maximum potential economic savings PFS variable is set to zero, as depicted in box 70 of Figure 9. Furthermore, box 71 of Figure 9 indicates that the calculation of the potential economic savings PFS for each theoretical pipe network TPN is accomplished by iterating through the set of generated theoretical pipe networks TPN, starting by first considering the first hypothetical rearrangement in the generated set.

[0252] The essential part of step b) of calculating the potential economic savings PFS for a particular hypothetical rearrangement of the piping network 2 is represented in box 72 of FIG. 9 and involves the calculation of the inlet pressure P IN The cost of implementing the virtual relocation is calculated by dividing the cost savings obtained due to the reduction in decr Of course, such an assessment of costs and benefits will usually also include the life expectancy or total expected operating period of the system for the pressurized fluid.

[0253] The method comprises a further step u), represented by a diamond shape 73 in the flow chart of figure 9, consisting of an assessment of whether the potential economic savings PFS calculated in step t) is positive or negative. When the potential economic savings PFS is negative, e.g. when the energy cost savings are too low or the implementation costs are too high, it is clear that the proposed relocation is not suitable for improving the system 1 of pressurized fluids, whereby the maximum potential economic savings PFS calculated so far should not be changed (see box 74 and path 75 in figure 9).

[0254] If the current potential economic savings PFS calculated in step t) is positive, it should be compared with the maximum potential economic savings PFS calculated so far, and the maximum of both should be retained as the current maximum potential economic savings PFS calculated. This is shown in path 76 as step v) of box 77 in Figure 9.

[0255] Box 26 of Figure 9 describes a step c) of the method that corresponds to the same step c) of box 26 depicted in Figure 4, where at least the maximum calculated potential economic saving PFS and the corresponding virtual rearrangement are kept. Of course, it is not excluded from the invention to also store other virtual rearrangements that are expected to generate lower potential economic saving PFS when implemented.

[0256] Steps t), u) and v) should be repeated for all proposed or generated virtual rearrangements or theoretical pipe networks TPN until the last virtual rearrangement is reached. Thus, the method includes a step x) in which an evaluation of the next virtual rearrangement of the generated set is started until the last virtual rearrangement is reached. This is represented by the diamond shape 78, box 79 and path 80 in Figure 9. The iteration over the set of generated theoretical pipe networks TPN is stopped when the last virtual rearrangement is reached (path 81 ending in box 26 representing step c).

[0257] This results in different potential economic saving PFS, and at least the virtual rearrangement associated with the greatest potential economic saving PFS is preferably stored in step c) and proposed for implementation in step f) (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0258] FIG. 10 shows the measurement period ΔT m The pressures P at the two pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 of the main inlet pipe 3 measured during PO1 and P PO2 , and P IN This indicates the occurrence of

[0259] Obviously, at those pipe outlets PO1 and PO2, the associated pressure P PO1 and P PO2 are the corresponding minimum required pressures P required at these pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 during operation, as defined in step m) of the method of the present invention. PO1 req and P PO2 req (See Figure 6 again).

[0260] This means that the associated pressure P PO1 or P PO2 and the corresponding minimum required pressure P PO1 req or P PO2 req The excess pressure OP at the outlets of those pipes PO1 and PO2 is the difference between PO1 Or OP PO2 is the measurement period ΔT m Positive overpressure OP at all times PO1 Or OP PO2 This means that.

[0261] As a result, in the example of FIG. 10, the pipe outlet PO i In the measurement period ΔT m Throughout the entire system, the piping outlets PO i There is always an excess of pressure available over what is strictly necessary for proper functioning during the measurement period ΔT m This also corresponds to the situation where no abnormality is detected during the test (see steps i and j in Figure 5).

[0262] Therefore, in this situation, the inlet pressure P IN Even after lowering the inlet pressure P at the main pipe inlet 3 during normal duty cycles, without causing any abnormality or disturbance in operation. IN It is possible to lower the inlet pressure P IN The maximum amount that can be reduced by ΔP decr What is it?

[0263] In the method according to the invention, this is the most important pipe outlet PO i c (see step h of the flowchart in FIG. 5).

[0264] As defined in steps q) and r) of the preferred method according to the invention (see FIG. 6), the most important pipe outlets PO i c is the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual overpressure SMO v The pipe outlet PO where i It is.

[0265] In FIG. 10, the pressure P at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 PO1 and P PO2 Minimum overpressure OP PO1 min and OP PO2 min is shown in the graph. Minimum overpressure OP PO1 min And, OP PO2 min Both and are obviously positive (>0).

[0266] Furthermore, the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min is the minimum overpressure OP PO2 min This results in a minimum overpressure OP PO1 min is in this case the smallest minimum overpressure SMO, which is the minimum overpressure P at only the two pipe outlets PO1 and PO2. PO1 and P PO2 It consists of:

[0267] Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 10, the first pipe outlet PO1 is the most important pipe outlet PO1. c (See step r in Figure 6 and step h in Figure 5).

[0268] Measurement period ΔT mSince there is no abnormality, or, which is the same thing, since the minimum minimum overpressure SMO is strictly positive, in step i) of the method according to the invention (see FIG. 5), the inlet pressure PIN is increased by the amount ΔP decr It is decided to generate a theoretical piping network TPN that decreases by 100% (see step j in FIG. 5).

[0269] This amount of pressure drop ΔP decr is the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual overpressure SMO, as shown in Figure 7. v (step j) because, of course, the operations are always performed in a more or less similar manner and the measurement period ΔT m is assumed to be sufficiently long and therefore representative to capture normal significant events occurring during operation, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v is a good estimate of the maximum pressure drop possible without causing any abnormality in the piping network 2.

[0270] As explained before, in step j) a minimum minimum overpressure SMO or a minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO may be selected depending on whether or not certain risk factors are taken into account, for example by taking into account certain safety margins. v The proposed quantity ΔP is equal to decr Amount ΔP that is slightly smaller or slightly larger than decr Only the inlet pressure P IN In other cases, it may be decided that it is not important that a particular operation should be guaranteed 100 percent of the time, and a minimum minimum overpressure SMO or a minimum virtual overpressure SMO may be decided. v The proposed quantity ΔP is equal to decr An amount ΔP that is slightly or substantially larger than decr Only the inlet pressure P IN It may be decided to lower the

[0271] Figure 11 shows the hypothetical pressure P in the proposed theoretical piping network TPN in a similar manner to Figure 10. PO1 v and P PO2 v indicates the initial inlet pressure P IN init is the minimum overpressure OP measured at the first pipe outlet PO1 PO1 min is equal to the smallest measured minimum overpressure SMO, decr The new virtual inlet pressure P IN vnew is shown in the figure.

[0272] According to the present invention, the virtual pressure P PO1 v and P PO2 v This step of calculating the reduced P IN However, this is not strictly necessary, since it is sufficient to calculate the potential economic savings PFS of the proposed theoretical piping network TPN with an inlet pressure P IN In order to clarify what happens if the PO1 and P PO2 Pressure P at PO1 v and P PO2 v is plotted in Figure 11.

[0273] In this case, the virtual pressure P PO1 v and P PO2 v is the measurement period ΔT m During the test, the pressure is calculated based on previous measurements, e.g., the initial inlet pressure P IN init In reality, the new inlet pressure P IN new and the new measurement period ΔT m In fact, the piping outlet P O1 and P O2 Pressure P at PO1 and PPO2 Similar, and in some cases even more accurate plots could be obtained after measuring

[0274] The amount ΔP equal to the smallest measured minimum overpressure SMO decr Inlet pressure P at main pipe inlet 3 IN or, what is the same, the outlet pressure PC at the outlet 13 of the compressor 11 OUT It is clear that the reduction of the energy consumption improves or optimizes the energy efficiency or energy consumption of the system 1 for pressurized fluid, including the compressor 11, the piping network 2, . . .

[0275] Compressor 11 has low outlet pressure PC OUT Less energy is consumed when operating at , resulting in lower operating costs as explained in the introduction.

[0276] FIG. 11 also shows the new virtual inlet pressure P IN vnew After applying the virtual pressure P PO1 v and P PO2 v These virtual pressures P PO1 v and P PO2 v is also the initial inlet pressure P IN init is still applied, the initially measured pressures P at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2, respectively PO1 and P PO2 In comparison with the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual overpressure SMO in the piping network 2, v Approximately the same amount ΔP decr is reduced by

[0277] Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 11, the new virtual inlet pressure P IN vnew After applying a hypothetical overpressure OP during operation PO1 vand OP PO2 v are always positive or equal to zero, or the same thing, but these pressures P PO1 v and P PO2 v The corresponding minimum required pressure P PO1 req and P PO2 req Since the pressure is always greater than the pressure at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2, the virtual pressure P PO1 v and P PO2 v There is no shortage of.

[0278] This indicates that after optimisation or improvement of the efficiency of the system 1 for pressurised fluid or reduction of energy consumption, the operations performed in the equipment A1, A2, ... carried out at the corresponding piping outlets PO1, PO2, ... of the piping network 2 can possibly still be carried out without interruption.

[0279] Inlet pressure P IN vnew Since the pressure is virtually decreased, the minimum (virtual) overpressure OP expected at the first pipe outlet PO1 is PO1 (v)min It is clear that ,can be greater than or equal to zero, or less than or equal to zero.,This is also shown in Figure 11.

[0280] In the case of Figure 10, the pipe outlet PO i Since there was no abnormality in the amount ΔP decr The inlet pressure P IN init Apart from the reduction in the number of connections, the proposed improvements to the pipeline 2 can be obtained without any virtual or real rearrangement of the pipeline 2.

[0281] Nevertheless, as shown in diamond 34 and path 35 in FIG. 5, the reduced inlet pressure P IN The proposed theoretical piping network TPN having can also serve as the basis for generating another theoretical piping network in step k), represented by box 42 in FIG.

[0282] In that case, the initial inlet pressure P IN init The new inlet pressure P IN vnew The pressure P at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 after the pressure is virtually lowered to PO1 v and P PO2 v is known and can be used in the next step of the method, for example the most important pipe outlet PO i c is determined, and so on, so that the associated pipe outlet P PO1 and P PO2 Pressure P at PO1 v and P PO2 v should actually be calculated or otherwise determined.

[0283] Now, let us consider the case without any abnormality, which is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. After step a), the theoretical piping network TPN is decr The virtual inlet pressure P drops by IN vnew and no virtual relocation is applied, according to the method of the present invention, what must be done?

[0284] From figure 4 it is clear that step b) must be carried out, which calculates the potential economic PFS of the associated theoretical piping network TPN. The formula to be applied is given in step t) represented in box 72 of figure 9.

[0285] Potential economic savings PFS is calculated by the initial inlet pressure P IN init Virtually reduced inlet pressure P compared to IN vnew is the resulting energy savings, from which the implementation costs of the theoretical piping network TPN should be subtracted. In this case, the initial inlet pressure P IN initThis reduces the compressor outlet pressure PC OUT There is essentially no implementation cost other than setting x to a low value, making this an essentially costless operation.

[0286] Therefore, we can apply the formula introduced in the introduction:

number

[0287] Obviously, this theoretical piping network TPN does not involve implementation costs, so the piping outlet PO i is a good candidate to be selected if there are no anomalies in PFS, making this theoretical piping network TPN a very good representative of the improvements expected to produce the greatest potential economic savings PFS.

[0288] Of course, possibly further theoretical networks TPN are generated, for example through paths 35 and 37 in the flow chart of FIG. 5, including a virtual rearrangement of network 2 with actual implementation costs. These additionally generated theoretical networks TPN should then be evaluated in steps t), u), v), and x) of the flow chart of FIG. 9. Perhaps one of these additional theoretical networks TPN is even more attractive for implementation. This may be due to, for example, an even lower inlet pressure P allowed by the rearrangement of network 2. IN This may be the case when the energy savings obtained by significantly outweigh the costs of implementing the associated virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2.

[0289] Here, in step i) of the method depicted in FIG. 5, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual overpressure SMO v Consider now the case where is determined to be zero or less than zero, which is the case, for example, in the example of FIG.

[0290] As shown in diamond shape 44 in Figure 5, in that case the next step may simply consist of making a decision that no further theoretical piping networks TPN are to be generated to improve or optimize the efficiency of the system 1 for pressurized fluids. The method then continues with the evaluation of the already generated set of theoretical piping networks TPN (see path 44 and box 39 in Figure 5).

[0291] Alternatively or additionally, a minimum minimum overpressure SMO or a minimum virtual overpressure SMO. v is zero or less than zero, in step i) of the method, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO or the minimum virtual overpressure SMO v An initial pressure P with an amount equal to, slightly lower than, or slightly higher than (the absolute value of IN init By increasing the most important piping outlet PO i c It may also be decided to attempt to counteract an apparently existing abnormality or pressure shortage in the inlet pressure P IN init is the associated piping outlet PO i During operation, due to a lack of pressure at the piping outlet PO i A new inlet pressure P that is sufficiently high to avoid the occurrence of abnormalities in IN new The drawback of such an implementation is, of course, that the energy consumption or efficiency of the system 1 for pressurized fluid is not improved or optimized, but on the contrary, the energy consumption increases or the efficiency decreases, so this possibility is not shown in the flow chart of FIG.

[0292] However, in a more attractive implementation of the method according to the invention, in step k) of the method, represented in box 42 of FIG. 5, a minimum minimum overpressure SMO or a minimum virtual minimum overpressure SMO v When is zero or less than zero, the theoretical piping network TPN is the most important piping outlet PO i c The virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 is generated by virtually modifying the part of the piping network 2 that leads to the inlet pressure P IN The purpose of the present invention is to enable a reduction in

[0293] Related examples are shown in Figs. 12 to 14. For example, Fig. 12 shows m During this process, the pressure P measured at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 was PO1 and P PO2 The pressure P at the pipe outlet PO1 is shown. PO1 is the minimum pressure P required at the pipe outlet PO1 PO1 req falls below.

[0294] This means that the operation at the first user position UL1 is most likely not possible to be carried out as required during the aforementioned time interval Δt due to lack of sufficient pressurized fluid, and therefore there is clearly an abnormality at the pipe outlet PO1 during the time interval Δt, which in this case is equal to the total period ΔT during which the abnormality occurs, as previously referred to. an (See Figure 8.)

[0295] Overpressure OP PO1 is found to be negative during the time interval Δt at the pipe outlet PO1, while the overpressure OP PO1 is the measurement period ΔT m It is strictly positive throughout the entire process (no abnormalities at the piping outlet PO2).

[0296] Overpressure OP PO1 is the minimum overpressure OP PO1 minThe point indicated by the pressure curve P PO1 The minimum pressure P required at the pipe outlet PO1 is PO1 req It is at its lowest level, the point of maximum descent below the line indicating

[0297] At the pipe outlet PO1, this minimum overpressure OP PO1 min is also negative, but the minimum excess pressure OP PO2 min has a positive value. Therefore, the minimum overpressure OP PO1 min In this case, is the minimum minimum overpressure SMO, and is the minimum overpressure OP at the pipe outlet PO2. PO2 min is the second smallest minimum overpressure SSMO.

[0298] In the method according to the invention, a first step h) is carried out (represented in FIG. 5), during which the most important pipe outlet PO i c The pipe outlet PO1 associated with the smallest minimum overpressure SMO is determined according to steps q) and r) of the flow chart of FIG. 6 as the most important pipe outlet PO i c In this case, the first pipe outlet PO1 c It is.

[0299] Next, in the case of FIG. 12, the most important pipe outlet PO i c Since there is a clear abnormality in (SMO<0), during step i), cIt is decided that step k) of the method for generating a theoretical piping network TPN by virtually modifying a portion between and (both depicted in FIG. 5) should be performed. The generation of such a virtually modified portion can consist of many things such as enlarging the piping diameter D, or inserting a local buffer container, and the steps depicted in FIG. 8 can be considered as a guideline, but other methods of generating such a theoretical piping network TPN are not excluded from the present invention.

[0300] As described above, in FIG. 12, the pressure P PO1 is the minimum pressure P required at the pipe outlet PO1 during the time interval Δt. PO1 req The minimum overpressure SMO is negative in this case, and the minimum overpressure P PO1 min The time interval Δt is, in this case, the total period during which the anomaly occurs, ΔT an Represents.

[0301] Of course, in other cases, the pressure P PO1 is, for example, the required minimum pressure P during the time interval Δt1, Δt2, ... PO1 req may fall below ΔT several times, resulting in another total period of anomaly. an should be considered, which is the sum of those time intervals Δt1, Δt2, ....

[0302] As explained before, this total period of anomalies ΔT can be used as a criterion for selecting the type of rearrangement of the piping system 1 that may be attractive to improve its efficiency. an For example, for a given important period ΔT crit can be compared to:

[0303] Total duration of anomaly ΔT an is the predetermined important period ΔT critIf so, it may be decided to assess a rearrangement of the piping network 2, consisting of enlarging the piping diameter D of some of the piping within the piping network 2 (see path 58 in FIG. 8 ).

[0304] Total duration of anomaly ΔT an is the predetermined important period ΔT crit In other cases, it may be decided to evaluate a rearrangement of the network 2, consisting of inserting a local pressure vessel in the network 1 (see path 59 in FIG. 8).

[0305] After generating the theoretical piping network TPN paths 43 of the flow chart of FIG. 5, step h) of the method is again proceeded to, again with the most important piping outlets PO i c must now be determined, but this time not on the initial unmodified actual network 2, but on the generated theoretical network TPN. This is what is shown in Figure 13.

[0306] As shown in FIG. 6 by the diamond shape 49, the path 50 and the box 51, the most important pipe outlet PO i c must be determined in the theoretical piping network TPN, the piping outlets PO virtually affected by the proposed virtual rearrangement i Measurement period ΔT m First, the virtual pressure P POi v should be calculated.

[0307] In fact, in such a theoretical piping network TPN, the measurement period ΔT m The virtual pressure P expected at the relevant pipe outlet, in this case pipe outlet PO1, when the same type of load as in PO1 v Theoretical calculations of the occurrence of

[0308] In the example of FIG. 13, the virtual pressure P PO1 v is the virtual measurement period ΔT m Inside, curve PPO1 v (t), which indicates that the largest change in pressure is expected at the first pipe outlet PO1, and the virtual relocation is performed between the main pipe inlet 3 and the most important pipe outlet PO1, which was the first pipe outlet PO1, as determined during the previous step of the method. c In particular, due to the improved performance of the pipeline 2 under the hypothetical modifications, a (hypothetical) pressure increase is expected at the pipeline outlet PO1, resulting for example in lower friction losses and therefore in a lower pressure drop across the relevant part of the pipeline 2.

[0309] Virtual pressure P PO1 v is preferably the pressure P measured as shown in FIG. PO1 Based on this pressure P PO1 are also copied integrally onto the chart in Figure 13.

[0310] In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the virtual pressure P PO1 v Measurement period ΔT m It is proposed to calculate the entire PO1 That's the lowest OP PO1 min Only at the moment when m The virtual pressure P PO1 v It may be sufficient to calculate or determine

[0311] Outlet pressure P at the second pipe outlet PO2 PO2 is considered essentially unchanged by the proposed hypothetical rearrangement of network 2 and is integrally copied into the plot in FIG.

[0312] To find the most important pipe outlet in the plot of FIG. 13, steps p), q) and r) depicted in FIG. 6 are carried out by: PO1 v , and the measured pressure P at the second pipe outlet PO2 PO2 This should be applied to the curve in FIG.

[0313] At this time, the minimum overpressure OP at the second pipe outlet PO2, which is of course still strictly positive, PO2 min is the minimum hypothetical overpressure OP calculated at the first pipe outlet PO1, which is also strictly positive. PO1v vmin Therefore, in the plot of FIG. 13, the minimum overpressure SMO is smaller than the minimum overpressure OP at the second pipe outlet PO2. PO2 min As a result, in this hypothetical configuration, the second pipe outlet PO2 is the most important pipe outlet PO2. c (See step r in Figure 6.)

[0314] In this case, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO is strictly positive, which means that in the virtual rearrangement, the piping outlet PO i This means that no abnormalities are expected to occur in the inlet pressure P. This means that step i) of the method depicted in FIG. 5 now leads to path 40 and step j), during which a theoretical piping network TPN is generated and the inlet pressure P IN 10 and 11.

[0315] As shown in more detail in FIG. 7, in this case, the minimum overpressure OP PO2 min , or the minimum virtual excess pressure SMO v The minimum minimum excess pressure SMO is equal to the amount ΔP decr In this case, the initial inlet pressure P IN init It is usually suggested to reduce

[0316] In other cases, the minimum minimum overpressure SMO may still be below zero, in which case in step i) of the method of the present invention it is determined that the proposed virtual rearrangement of the piping network 1 does not eliminate the original anomaly and is considered not suitable for further improving the efficiency of the piping network 2.

[0317] Figure 14 shows the results after applying the proposed virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 and after applying the initial inlet pressure P IN init The amount of ΔP decr After the inlet pressure is virtually lowered by IN vnew This shows the situation where a hypothetical reduced inlet pressure P IN vnew and the calculated virtual pressure P expected at the pipe outlets PO1 and PO2 as a result of the virtual rearrangement. PO1 v’ and P PO2 v’ is also plotted in Figure 14. The hypothetical reduced inlet pressure P IN vnew The expected energy savings by implementing is calculated in a completely equivalent manner, as explained with respect to Figs.

[0318] Step b) of the method depicted in FIG. 4, in which the potential economic savings PFS of the generated theoretical piping network TPN are calculated, requires this time, but the most important piping outlet PO i c It also requires the calculation of the cost of performing a virtual rearrangement of the piping network 2 that would have eliminated the original anomaly at (see step t in FIG. 9).

[0319] This portion of the calculation of the potential financial savings PFS may include, for example, calculations or estimates of the type described below.

[0320] For example, if the diameter d1 of a pipe piece in a pipe network 1 is changed to a diameter d2, the associated reduction in energy consumption can be calculated by the following formula:

number

number

[0321] The present invention is by no means limited to embodiments for improving the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of the system 1 for pressurized fluid as described above, but such methods can be applied and implemented in many different ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0322] The invention is also not limited to the data processing apparatus or computer, compressor or computer program embodiments described herein, and such a data processing apparatus or computer, such a compressor or such a computer program can be realized in a very different way without departing from the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0323] 1 system for pressurized fluid, piping system, piping network, index, 2 piping network, index, 3 piping network, main piping inlet, 4 piping outlet, 5 user location, 6 main piping piece, 7 piping branch, 8 piping sub-branch, 9 user device or equipment, 10 source of pressurized fluid, 11 compressor, 12 inlet, 13 outlet piping, outlet, 14 computer, 15 measuring means, pressure gauge, 16 communication means, data cable, 17 pneumatically driven machine tool, 18 flexible pneumatic hose, 19 valve, D piping diameter, d1, d2 diameter, OP PO1 , OP PO2 Overpressure, OP POi Overpressure, P PO1 v , P PO2 v Virtual pressure, P PO1 v’, P PO2 v’ Virtual pressure, OP POi v Virtual overpressure, OP PO1 min , OP PO2 min , OP PO3 min , ...and the OP PON min Minimum overpressure, OP POi min Minimum actual overpressure, OP PO1 vmin , OP PO2 vmin , OP PO3 vmin , ...and the OP PON vmin Minimum virtual overpressure, OP POi vmin Calculated hypothetical minimum overpressure, P atm Atmospheric pressure, P c Critical pressure, Pc IN Atmospheric pressure, Pc OUT Outlet pressure, P IN Inlet pressure, P IN init Initial inlet pressure, P IN v Calculated virtual pressure, P IN vnew Inlet virtual pressure, PO1, PO2, PO3, ... PO N Pipe outlet, PO i Pipe outlet, PO1 c , PO2 c The most important pipe outlet, PO i c The most important pipe outlet, P POi Measured pressure, P PO1 , P PO2 , P PO3 , ..., P PON Pressure, P PO1 req , P PO2 req Minimum required pressure, P POi req Minimum required pressure, P PO1 v , P PO2 v Virtual pressure, PPO1 v(t) curve, P POi v Calculated virtual pressure, p1 Initial discharge pressure of the associated piping piece, R h Operating time, SMO Minimum Minimum overpressure, SMO v Smallest virtual minimum overpressure, SSMO Second smallest minimum overpressure, t1, t2, t3, ... at discrete times, UL1, UL2, UL3, ... UL N User position, Δp Pressure reduction at the compressor outlet, ΔP decr Virtual pressure drop, ΔP tot Total pressure drop, ΔP1, ΔP2, ΔP3 Pressure drop, Δp1 Initial pressure drop over the relevant piping pieces, Δt Time interval, Δt1, Δt2, ... Time interval, ΔT an The period during which the anomaly occurs, ΔT crit A given critical period, ΔT m Measurement period

Claims

1. A method for improving the efficiency and / or increasing the operating range of a system (1) for pressurized fluid, said system (1) for pressurized fluid comprising a main pipe inlet (3) and a user location (5,UL) spaced apart from each other. 1 , UL 2 , . . . , UL N A plurality of piping outlets (4, PO 1 , P.O. 2 , . . . , PO N ), and a pressurized piping network (2) having an inlet pressure (P IN , P IN init , P IN vnew ) is provided by a pressurized fluid supply (10, 11) of the system (1) for the pressurized fluid, and the piping network (2) is connected to the user location (5, UL 1 , UL 2 , . . . , UL N ) at the piping outlet (4, PO 1 , P.O. 2 , . . . , PO N ) connected to a user device or equipment (9, A 1 , A 2 , . . . , A N During operation of the pipe outlet (4, PO) due to various demands for pressurized fluid, 1 , P.O. 2 , . . . , PO N 5. A method of performing a system (1) of a piping network (100) comprising: performing a virtual change in an operating condition of the system (100), such as a pressure setting or a flow setting; and / or performing a virtual modification of the piping network (100), such as a virtual addition, removal, replacement, and / or modification of components of one or more portions of the piping network (100); - a calculation of the potential financial savings (PFS) resulting from the increased energy efficiency or reduced energy consumption caused by the relocation of said system (1) against the cost of relocating said system (1), said calculation including the pressure (P IN , P POi Calculations, which may include measurements of - an assessment of said potential financial savings (PFS); and - suggesting to the user one or more virtual relocations for implementation if there is a positive potential financial savings (PFS).

2. The method comprises at least - a) generating a set of one or more theoretical pipe networks (TPNs) to which the rearrangement on the system is virtually applied; - b) calculating the Potential Financial Savings (PFS) for each possible virtual rearrangement of the system (1) in the generated set; - c) retaining one or more of the calculated Potential Financial Savings (PFS) and of the corresponding virtual relocation of the system (1); - d) evaluating whether there is at least one or more hypothetical rearrangements of the system (1) in the set that have yielded a positive potential financial savings (PFS) during the calculation; e) stopping the method if, during the calculating step, there is no virtual relocation of the system (1) within the set that results in a positive potential financial savings (PFS); - f) if there is at least one virtual rearrangement of the system (1) within the set that has a positive potential financial savings (PFS) during the calculating step, suggesting to a user one or more of the virtual rearrangements that have a positive potential financial savings (PFS) during the calculating step for implementation.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, characterized in that in step c) the maximum potential economic savings (PFS) and the corresponding virtual rearrangements of the systems (1) are stored, and in step f) the virtual rearrangement of the system (1) in the set having the maximum potential economic savings (PFS) is proposed to a user for implementation, at least if the maximum potential economic savings (PFS) is positive.

4. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the method comprises a step g) of presenting to a user on a display unit the calculated potential financial savings (PFS) and the corresponding hypothetical one or more virtual rearrangements of the systems (1) in the set.

5. The step a) of generating one or more sets of theoretical piping networks (TPNs) comprises: -h) the most important pipe outlet (PO) of said pipe network (2) or of a previously generated theoretical pipe network (TPN); i c ) -i) The most important piping outlet (PO i c evaluating whether an anomaly has occurred in the -j) The most important piping outlet (PO i c If no abnormality is found in the inlet pressure (P IN , P IN new ) is a certain amount (ΔP decr ) and a step, -k) The most important piping outlet (PO i c If an abnormality is found at the most important piping outlet (PO i c and generating a theoretical piping network (TPN) having a virtually modified portion of the piping network (2) that connects to the first piping network (10).

6. The most important pipe outlet (PO) of said pipe network (2) or of a previously generated theoretical pipe network (TPN) i c said step h) of determining -l) one or more piping outlets (4, PO i ), the corresponding user position (5,UL i ) the minimum pressure required at any time (P POi req ), thereby determining the user position (5,UL i ) without interrupting the operations in -m) the main pipe inlet (3) and the pipe outlet (4, PO i ) at IN , P POi ) is measured during a measurement period (ΔT m ) -n) the inlet pressure (P IN ) is measured or set, and during the measurement period (ΔT m ) to the associated piping outlet (4, PO i ) at the pressure (P POi 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

7. The step h) -o) if the piping network (1) is a theoretical piping network (TPN), one or more piping outlets (4, PO) of the theoretical piping network (TPN) to which the virtual modification of the piping network (2) relates i ) during the measurement period (ΔT m ), the virtual pressure (P POi v ), [01] o) of one or more pipe outlets (4, PO) of the theoretical pipe network (TPN) to which the virtual modification or rearrangement of the pipe network (2) relates. i ) during the measurement period (ΔT m ), the virtual pressure (P POi v ) p) the measurement period (ΔT m ) during the operation of the associated piping outlet (4, PO i ) at the corresponding overpressure or virtual overpressure (OP POi , OP POi v ) to calculate the measurement period (ΔT m ) in each associated piping outlet (4, PO i The measured pressure (P) may vary POi ) or the calculated virtual pressure (P POi v ) and the corresponding user position (5,UL i The corresponding minimum pressure (P POi req ) and calculating the difference between q) The piping outlet (4, PO i The minimum overpressure (OP) present or measured at POi min ) and the associated piping outlets (4, PO) affected by the proposed virtual rearrangement of the piping network (2). i ) of the calculated minimum virtual overpressure (OP POi vmin ) and a series of minimum overpressures (OP POi min , OP POi vmin ) at each associated piping outlet (4, PO i ) for the measurement period ΔT m The minimum overpressure (OP POi min ), or minimum virtual overpressure (OP POi vmin ) -r) the measurement period (ΔT m ) during which the minimum minimum overpressure (SMO) or the minimum virtual overpressure occurrence (SMO) occurs in said piping network (2) or in the theoretical piping network (TPN). v ) to determine the important piping outlet (PO i c ) is the minimum minimum overpressure (SMO) or the minimum virtual overpressure occurrence (SMO v The piping outlet (PO i 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the additional steps of:

8. The most important piping outlet (PO i c The step i) of evaluating whether an anomaly occurs during the measurement period (ΔT m ) occurring in the piping network (2) during the minimum minimum overpressure (SMO) or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure (SMO v 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising evaluating whether or not the first and second sigma signals are greater than zero, corresponding to the presence or absence of an anomaly, respectively.

9. In the step j) of generating a theoretical piping network (TPN), the most important piping outlets (PO i c When no abnormality is found in the inlet pressure (P IN , P IN vnew ) is virtually lowered, the measurement period (ΔT m ) during the period, the minimum minimum overpressure (SMO) or the minimum hypothetical minimum overpressure (SMO) occurring or calculated in the piping network (2) v ) or a quantity slightly greater than or slightly less than ΔP decr ) and the inlet pressure (P IN init 9. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of reducing the

10. The most important piping outlet (PO i c The step k) of generating a theoretical piping network (TPN) having a virtually modified part of the piping network (2) connected to the main piping inlet (3) and the most important piping outlets (4, PO i c 10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pipe diameter (D) of one or more parts of the pipe network (2) between the first pipe (1) and the second pipe (2) is virtually corrected by an enlargement of the pipe diameter (D) of one or more parts of the pipe network (2) between the first pipe (1) and the second pipe (2).

11. The most important piping outlet (PO i c A step k) of generating a theoretical piping network (TPN) having a virtually modified portion of the piping network (2) connected to the main piping inlet (3) and the most important piping outlet (PO i c 11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the part of the piping network (2) between the first and second piping systems is virtually modified by inserting one or more local buffer vessels.

12. 12. The method according to claim 10 and / or 11, characterized in that in step s) a criterion is used to decide whether it is preferable to enlarge the pipe diameter (D) of a part of the pipe network (2) or to create a theoretical pipe network (TPN) with an inserted local buffer vessel.

13. Total duration of the anomaly (ΔT an ), i.e., the most important piping outlet (4, PO i c The measured pressure (P POi ) is the corresponding user position (5,UL i ) at any time, the minimum pressure (P POi req ) depending on the total duration, the total duration of the anomaly (ΔT an ) for a given period (ΔT crit ) or when the total period of the abnormality (ΔT an ) for a given period (ΔT crit 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the criterion is such that a theoretical piping network (TPN) is generated with an enlarged piping diameter (D) of a part of the piping network (2) or with a local buffer container inserted in a part of the piping network (2), when the criterion does not exceed the theoretical piping network diameter (TPN) of a part of the piping network (2).

14. The step b) of calculating the potential financial savings (PFS) for a particular hypothetical rearrangement of the piping network (2) comprises: IN The cost of implementing the virtual relocation is calculated by subtracting the cost of implementing the virtual relocation from the savings obtained due to the reduction in the proposed amount (ΔP decr 14. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a step t) of subtracting by t).

15. After step t) of calculating the potential financial savings (PFS) associated with implementing a virtual relocation, the method further comprises: - a step u) of evaluating whether said potential financial savings (PFS) is positive or negative; - v) a step of comparing the calculated potential financial savings (PFS) for the relevant virtual rearrangement with one or more previously calculated potential financial savings (PFS) of one or more other virtual rearrangements; - said step c) of retaining at least a maximum calculated Potential Financial Savings (PFS) and said corresponding virtual relocation.

16. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the method comprises a step x), in which an evaluation of the next virtual rearrangements of the generated set is started until a last virtual rearrangement is reached, and steps t), u), v) and w) are repeated multiple times for various virtual rearrangements of the piping network (2) resulting in different potential economic savings (PFS), and at least the rearrangement associated with the largest potential economic savings is stored in step c) and proposed for implementation in step f).

17. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the method is performed using electronic means (14) and / or is a computer-implemented method.

18. A data processing device or computer (14), characterized in that it comprises a processor and / or a computer program adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A compressor (11), characterized in that it comprises a data processing device or computer (14) according to claim 18.

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