Positive displacement pumps and pump systems

Abstract

To provide a positive displacement pump capable of analyzing a conveyance material.SOLUTION: A positive displacement pump for conveying a material to be conveyed includes a measurement assembly including at least one measurement channel capable of passing and running at least a part of the material to be conveyed by the pump. The at least one measurement channel has a noncircular cross section; the measurement assembly including a pressure sensor assembly detects a pressure acting at a position separated in the circulation direction of the at least one measurement channel when the at least a part of the material to be conveyed by the pump flows through the at least one measurement channel. The positive displacement pump and a control unit are disclosed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positive displacement pump and a pump system comprising such a positive displacement pump.

Background Art

[0002] Positive displacement pumps, such as eccentric screw pumps, rotary piston pumps, screw spindle pumps, or hose pumps, are intended to convey a material to be conveyed (conveyed material). The conveyed material is a freely flowing material, in particular a liquid or a viscous material (low viscosity or high viscosity). Examples of such conveyed materials include process liquids used during the manufacture of workpieces, such as cooling liquids, oils, varnishes, and paints. Further examples may include wastewater and sludge.

[0003] Conventional positive displacement pumps can convey the conveyed material but cannot analyze it. In particular, the viscosity of the conveyed material can be important in certain scenarios. In the case of known solutions, in order to analyze the conveyed material, a sample of the conveyed material is taken while the positive displacement pump is stopped. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory, for example to determine the viscosity of the conveyed material. This approach is laborious and time-consuming.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] From the above-described background circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a positive displacement pump that enables analysis of the conveyed material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a positive displacement pump according to claim 1 and a pump system according to claim 10.

[0006] A positive displacement pump for transporting material comprises a measuring assembly having at least one measuring channel through which at least a portion of the material to be transported by the pump can flow. At least a portion of the material transported by the pump corresponds, in particular, to a portion of the volumetric flow rate of the material transported by the pump. At least a portion of the material transported by the pump may be referred to as a volumetric flow rate ratio, a volume ratio, or a volume ratio.

[0007] At least one measuring channel has a non-circular cross-section. This cross-section is perpendicular to the flow direction of the at least one measuring channel. The cross-section may be constant in the flow direction of the at least one measuring channel (for example, along the entire length of the at least one measuring channel).

[0008] The measuring assembly includes a pressure sensor assembly which detects pressure acting at spaced-apart positions in the flow direction of at least one measuring channel when at least a portion of the material to be pumped flows through at least one measuring channel. These pressures can act from inside to outside the at least one measuring channel. The measuring assembly and / or pressure sensor assembly can, in particular, determine the pressure difference between two or more detected points.

[0009] This type of positive displacement pump provides pressure detection along a measuring channel with a non-circular cross-section. Since these pressures vary depending on the conveyed material, the positive displacement pump allows for direct analysis of the conveyed material. The non-circular cross-section of the measuring channel has proven particularly advantageous because it ensures a favorable flow profile within the channel for pressure measurement.

[0010] The cross-section of at least one measuring channel may have at least one straight portion. In this case, the at least one measuring channel may have at least one flat side surface that forms at least one straight portion in the cross-section.

[0011] At least one straight section can reach a corner of the cross section at one of its ends, or at each of its ends. Such angles can range from 10° to 170°, for example, from 45° to 135°, and especially 90°.

[0012] In one example, the cross-section is polygonal. In this case, each corner can be formed by at least two straight segments. The cross-section can be polygonal, in which case each side of the polygon corresponds to at least one straight segment.

[0013] The cross-section can be rectangular. In this case, each of the four sides of the rectangular cross-section can correspond to at least one straight section.

[0014] A pressure assembly is configured, for example, to detect pressure acting from inside at least one measuring channel toward a sensor surface (e.g., outward). For this purpose, the pressure sensor assembly may have a pressure sensor that detects the pressure acting on the sensor surface. A separate sensor surface and a separate pressure sensor may be provided for each pressure to be detected.

[0015] The sensor surface can form a portion of the cross-section of the measuring channel. The sensor surface can be formed substantially flat. In particular, the sensor surface can form one of at least one straight portion in the cross-section. Thus, the sensor surface can form a flat portion of the side wall in at least one measuring channel. In an alternative configuration, the sensor surface can be designed to be curved. In this case, the sensor surface can form a curved portion of the cross-section. The sensor surface can extend over a portion of the length of at least one measuring channel in the flow direction of at least one measuring channel. This type of sensor surface configuration can reduce turbulence and flow deflection within the measuring channel, providing more reliable pressure measurement.

[0016] For example, the cross-section has a height smaller than the width of the cross-section. In this case, the sensor surface can extend in the width direction of the cross-section. Therefore, the sensor surface can extend, in particular, across the entire width of the measurement channel.

[0017] The measuring assembly may have a flow rectifier positioned upstream of at least one measuring channel in the flow path of the conveyed material transported by the pump. The flow rectifier may be positioned directly before at least one measuring channel, and in particular may be connected to the measuring channel. The flow rectifier may form a tapered inlet opening in the flow direction in at least one measuring channel. The inlet opening may be rounded, for example, so as not to form a step in the measuring channel in the flow direction.

[0018] At least one measuring channel and / or rectifier can be configured such that, particularly in the width and / or height direction of at least one measuring channel, a laminar flow profile of the material to be conveyed is ensured within the measuring channel (for example, within a predetermined conveying speed range in a positive displacement pump, and / or within a predetermined viscosity range of the conveyed material).

[0019] At least one measuring channel may have multiple measuring channels through which at least a portion of the conveyed material to be pumped can flow. These measuring channels differ, in particular, in their cross-sections. The cross-sections may differ in their surface area. The cross-sections may be formed to have the same geometric shape (e.g., rectangles), but may have different dimensions (e.g., scaled) with respect to this geometric shape. Thus, it is conceivable that polygons of different sizes with the same side-length ratio may be provided as cross-sections. The cross-sections (e.g., rectangular) of the measuring channels may differ, in particular, in their height, but may have the same width. In this case, the pressure sensor assembly is configured, in particular, to detect the pressure in each measuring channel.

[0020] The measurement channels of a measurement assembly are, for example, fluidically connected in parallel. In this case, the measurement channels differ with respect to at least a portion of the conveyed material that can be transported by the pump and flow through each measurement channel. That is, different volumetric flow rates can be assigned to each measurement channel with respect to the conveyed material transported by the pump.

[0021] The measuring assembly may have a component in which at least one measuring channel is formed. This component may be formed integrally. The component may be formed of a ceramic material, for example, to ensure high wear resistance. Alternatively or additionally, a rectifier may be formed of a ceramic material. The measuring channels may be incorporated into the component (for example, by milling, punching, or sawing). It is also conceivable that the component may be formed together with the internal measuring channels. The component may be substantially cylindrical and extend along the flow direction of at least one measuring channel. The component may have recesses that extend radially and are spaced apart in the flow direction to receive the pressure sensor of the pressure sensor assembly. Each measuring channel may have two or more recesses. These recesses may be formed as through holes leading into each measuring channel. In this case, the sensor surface may be part of the pressure sensor fitted into the recess.

[0022] The components can be surrounded by a tubular housing, which may be referred to as a housing tube. The virtual surrounding portion of the components and / or the housing tube can be formed to curve concavely in the direction of flow. In other words, the components and / or the housing tube can be formed to bulge. The housing tube may have cooling fins to passively control the temperature of the material to be conveyed in the measurement channel. A heating device and / or a cooling device may be provided, which is configured to ensure a specified temperature with respect to the housing, components, and / or the material to be conveyed in the measurement channel.

[0023] The flow directions of the measurement channels can extend parallel to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the width directions of the cross-sections of the measurement channels can be envisioned to extend obliquely to each other. In particular, at least one straight portion of the cross-section of each measurement channel can be envisioned to be aligned radially outward with respect to a common axis (e.g., the longitudinal axis of the component). The outer edges (e.g., width) of the cross-sections can each be positioned tangentially based on a virtual circle, or they can be at the same distance from a reference point (e.g., a point on the longitudinal axis of the component).

[0024] A second aspect of the present invention provides a pump system comprising a positive displacement pump according to the first aspect of the present invention and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine the viscosity of the material being transported and / or the transport speed of the positive displacement pump (e.g., the volumetric flow rate to be provided) based on the pressure detected by a pressure sensor assembly.

[0025] The control unit is configured to classify viscosity as viscoplastic, shear-decreasing, shear-increasing, Newtonian, or Binghamian. The control unit can be configured to determine, based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor assembly, whether the material to be transported has a viscosity-dependent shear rate and / or a flow rate limit. For this purpose, viscosity values ​​from multiple measurement channels can be determined, which may also be referred to as multi-point viscosity measurement.

[0026] The control unit can be configured to determine the conveying speed of the positive displacement pump based on the pump speed of the positive displacement pump, and / or the pump control signal for the positive displacement pump, and in particular based on a known pump characteristic curve for positive displacement pumps, and to determine the viscosity of the material to be conveyed based on the thus determined conveying speed and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor assembly. This viscosity can also be determined as a function of at least one parameter (e.g., shear rate and / or temperature).

[0027] The control unit is configured to perform one or several of the steps of outputting the determined conveying speed value or / and the determined viscosity value, detecting wear of the positive displacement pump based on the determined conveying speed or / and viscosity, detecting slip of the positive displacement pump based on the determined conveying speed or / and viscosity, controlling the positive displacement pump based on the determined conveying speed or / and viscosity, controlling a viscosity adapting device based on the determined conveying speed or / and viscosity to adapt the viscosity of the conveying material to be conveyed, and controlling a processing plant for processing the conveying material to be conveyed based on the determined conveying speed or / and viscosity.

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a pump system. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a measurement assembly. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a measurement assembly. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a measurement channel. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing a component having a plurality of measurement channels. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary first fluid interconnection. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary second fluid interconnection.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a pump system 2. The pump system 2 includes a positive displacement pump 4 and a control unit 6 communicably connected to the positive displacement pump 4. The control unit 6 can be mechanically fixed to the pump 4 or provided separately from the pump 4.

[0031] The positive displacement pump 4 may be an eccentric screw pump, but may also be of other types. The positive displacement pump 4 is configured to transport a free-flowing filler material 8, in particular varnish, oil, or suspension (wastewater), from the filler material storage section 10 into the filler material receptacle 12.

[0032] The positive displacement pump 4 includes a measuring assembly 14. In the illustrated example, the measuring assembly 14 is located in the downstream region of the pump 4. Alternatively, the measuring assembly 14 may be located in the upstream region as indicated by reference numeral 13. In any case, the measuring assembly 14 has at least one measuring channel 16, and a pressure sensor assembly 18 including pressure sensors 20, 22. In the illustrated example, the measuring channel 16 is provided with two pressure sensors, but it is also conceivable that the measuring channel 16 be provided with three, four, or more pressure sensors.

[0033] At least a portion of the conveyed material 8 transported by the pump 4 can flow through the measurement channel 16. The pressure sensors 20 and 22 are spaced apart from each other in the flow direction 24 of the measurement channel 16 (for example, over a distance L from sensor center to sensor center) and can detect the pressure present at each position within the measurement channel 16. This pressure can be detected as absolute pressure or as differential pressure (for example, based on a predetermined reference pressure, particularly atmospheric pressure around the pump 4).

[0034] The measurement assembly 14 may include further sensors, in particular temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of the material being transported by the pump 4. The measurement assembly 14 may have one or more temperature sensors in each measurement channel 16 to detect the temperature of the material being transported through the corresponding measurement channel 16. The temperature readings from these temperature sensors can be used to detect shear heating. A heating device and / or cooling device 7 may be provided, configured to define the temperature of the housing of the pump system 2, the temperature of the components of the pump system 2, or / or the temperature of the material being transported in the measurement channel 16.

[0035] The measuring assembly may also have a rectifier 23, which is positioned upstream of at least one measuring channel 16 and is intended to provide a desired flow profile (e.g., laminar flow) of the conveyed material within the measuring channel 16. In its simplest form, the rectifier forms a funnel-shaped inlet of the measuring channel 16 and can be made of a wear-resistant material, such as ceramic, in particular.

[0036] Figure 1 further shows an optional viscosity matching (adjustment) device 26. The viscosity matching device 26 can adjust the viscosity of the conveyed material by, for example, adding a diluent or thickener, controlling the temperature of the conveyed material, or / or adjusting the particle size distribution in the conveyed material (for example, by grinding the particles contained in the conveyed material). Furthermore, an optional processing plant 28 is shown, which is configured to use the conveyed material 8, conveyed by the pump 4, in a manufacturing process or / or processing process. This plant could be, for example, a coating plant for applying varnish, particularly for manufacturing multilayer battery cells.

[0037] The control unit 6 is configured to determine the viscosity of the conveyed material and / or the conveying speed of the positive displacement pump based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor assembly. Viscosity can be determined based on the pressure difference detected by the pressure sensors 20, 22 as the material flows through the measurement channel 16, based on the volumetric flow rate through the measurement channel 16, and based on the known shape of the measurement channel. In the illustrated example, the total volumetric flow rate of the conveyed material conveyed by the pump 4 is guided through the measurement channel 16. Therefore, the volumetric flow rate through the measurement channel 16 can be directly obtained from the conveying speed of the positive displacement pump. The control unit 6 can be configured to determine this conveying speed based on the pump speed of the positive displacement pump 4 and / or the pump control signal of the positive displacement pump 4, and in particular based on a known pump characteristic curve for the positive displacement pump 4. In particular, under the assumption that the conveyed material is not compressible, it is not necessary to separately measure the volumetric flow rate to determine the viscosity.

[0038] Based on the determined transport speed and / or viscosity, the control unit 6 can output a corresponding value (for example, to a screen or data processing device). The determined transport speed and / or viscosity can also be further processed by the control unit 6.

[0039] For example, if the viscosity remains constant, but the pressure values ​​detected by sensors 20 and 22 change over a specific period, it can be concluded that the transport speed of the transport pump has decreased. If pump 4 was controlled with the same control signal (e.g., pump frequency) during this period, the control unit 6 can conclude that pump 4 is worn out and / or that the slip of pump 4 has increased. The control unit 6 can then issue a warning or readjust pump 4 until the pressure value returns to a desired range (which corresponds to a desired volumetric flow rate at a known constant viscosity).

[0040] In contrast, if the determined transport speed for pump 4 is constant, but the pressure values ​​detected by sensors 20 and 22 are assumed to be changing over a specific period, then it can be concluded that the viscosity of the transported material 8 is changing. In particular, in this case, the temperature of the transported material 8 can be considered to determine, for example, whether the change is due solely to temperature or if other causes are present. Subsequently, the control unit 6 can output a warning or control the viscosity adjustment device 26 to adjust the viscosity to a desired value. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 6 can notify the processing plant 28 of the viscosity change so that the manufacturing process is adjusted accordingly.

[0041] The pressure values ​​can be analyzed over time, particularly to detect unwanted pulsations after pump 4 is turned on. The control unit 6 can readjust pump 4 as needed to minimize such pulsations. In the case of an eccentric screw pump, the control or readjustment of pump 4 may include, for example, adjusting the position of the stator in pump 4.

[0042] As described above, during the operation of the pump 4, i.e., when the measuring channel 16 is flowing, a pressure drop occurs in the flow direction of at least one measuring channel 16. The pressure drop can occur linearly, particularly along the flow direction. Therefore, the two pressure sensors 20 and 22 detect pressures of different magnitudes generated by the conveyed material 8 in the measuring channel 16. In particular, the viscosity of the conveyed material 8 can be determined from this pressure difference. In this case, the following formula applies:

number

[0043] JPEG0007887469000002.jpg37166

[0044] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary measuring assembly 14. In the illustrated example, the measuring assembly 14 has a substantially cylindrical component 30 in which a measuring channel 16 is formed. Both the measuring channel 16 and the component 30 extend along the flow direction 24. In Figure 2, the component 30 is embedded in the housing tube 32, but this is not necessarily required.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of an exemplary measuring assembly 14 in the flow direction 24. In the illustrated example, there is no housing tube 32, and therefore the components 30 are not enclosed. As shown in Figure 3, each sensor has sensor surfaces 34, 36 that laterally define the measuring channel 16. These sensor surfaces 34, 36 are spaced apart from each other in the flow direction 24 and extend only over portions T1, T2 of the length of the measuring channel 16 in the flow direction 24, respectively. In the illustrated example, the sensor surfaces 34, 36 are relatively large compared to the height h of the measuring channel (T1 > h, T2 > h). Therefore, a high shear rate can be provided to the measuring channel 16. For example, if a lower shear rate is desired, it is conceivable to have different dimensions for the measuring channel 16 (T1 = h or T1 < h; or / and T2 = h or T2 < h). The centers of each sensor surface 34, 36 are offset by a distance L in the flow direction 24.

[0046] At least one measuring channel 16 has a non-circular cross-section 38, in particular a cross-section including one or more linear portions 39. In this case, the sensor surfaces 34, 36 can form one of these linear portions. Figure 4 shows an example of such a non-circular cross-section 38 of at least one measuring channel 16. In the illustrated example, the cross-section 38 is rectangular and has a height h less than a width. In the width direction of the cross-section 38 of the measuring channel 16, the flat (e.g., also rectangular or circular) sensor surfaces 34, 36 extend across the entire width of the measuring channel 16 and form the upper side of the measuring channel 16.

[0047] For a cross-section of 38, the following formula applies to the channel shape factor K of the measurement channel 16:

number

[0048] JPEG0007887469000004.jpg21166

[0049] As mentioned above, if the volumetric flow rate is known, the viscosity can be calculated based on the detected pressure, and if the viscosity is known, the volumetric flow rate can be calculated based on the detected pressure. This also applies to other channel shapes, in which case the channel shape coefficient K may deviate from Equation 3.

[0050] At least one measuring channel 16 can have multiple measuring channels 16-1, 16-2…, 16-n. In other words, the measuring assembly 14 can have multiple appropriately formed measuring channels 16. The measuring channels may differ from one another, particularly in their cross-sections 38-1, 38-2…, 38-n. Thus, for different channel cross-sections, each value of the pressure difference Δp can be determined. From this, for each measuring channel, the corresponding viscosity value in the conveyed material can be determined. By comparing these viscosity values, the control unit 6 can conclude the viscosity of the conveyed material as a function of the shear rate, and in particular, it can determine whether the conveyed material is shear-decreasing or shear-increasing.

[0051] Figure 5 shows an example of the arrangement of multiple measuring channels 16-a, 16-2, and 16-3, all of which are formed on the same component 30 and extend parallel to each other in the flow direction. In this case, measuring channels 16-1, 16-2, and 16-3 each have rectangular cross-sections 38-1, 38-2, and 38-3, respectively. Each cross-section has the same width a, but different heights h1, h2, and h3.

[0052] Each measuring channel 16-1, 16-2, and 16-3 is provided with a corresponding pressure sensor having sensor surfaces 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 36-1, 36-2, and 36-3. In this case as well, each sensor surface forms the upper side of each measuring channel. In this case, the sensor surfaces are aligned radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 of the component 30 extending in the flow direction. This allows the pressure sensors to be fixed to the component 30 from different directions in order to measure the pressure in channels of different dimensions.

[0053] JPEG0007887469000005.jpg36166

[0054] Needless to say, with respect to the measurement channels 16, instead of three measurement channels, there may be only one, only two, four, or more channels. These may be connected in parallel as a group, or / or in series as a group. One or more measurement channels 16 may be located upstream of the eccentric screw pump, and one or more measurement channels 16 may be located downstream of the eccentric screw pump. Furthermore, it is conceivable that an additional pump (e.g., with a larger transport capacity) may be used in parallel with the pump 4 to transport the transport material from the filler storage unit 10 into the filler receptacle 12. The measurement assembly 14 may be located outside the pump housing of the positive displacement pump 4, for example, in a line system fluid-connected to the positive displacement pump 4. Those skilled in the art will be able to derive further advantages and modifications from this disclosure.

Claims

1. A positive displacement pump (4) for transporting the material (8) to be transported, The measurement assembly (14) includes a plurality of measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) through which at least a portion of the material (8) to be conveyed by the positive displacement pump (4) can flow, The measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) have non-circular cross-sections (38-1, 38-2, 38-3), the measurement assembly (14) has a pressure sensor assembly (18), and the pressure sensor assembly (18) detects the pressure acting at spaced-apart positions in each flow direction (24) of the measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) when at least a portion of the material (8) to be transported by the positive displacement pump (4) flows through the measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3), The cross-sections (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) of the aforementioned measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) are different. The flow directions (24) of the measurement channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) extend parallel to each other. A positive displacement pump in which the width directions of the cross-sections (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) of the measuring channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) extend diagonally to one another.

2. A positive displacement pump (4) according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) of each measuring channel (16-1, 16-2, 16-3) has at least one straight portion (39).

3. A positive displacement pump (4) according to claim 2, wherein the cross-section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) is polygonal.

4. A positive displacement pump (4) according to claim 3, wherein the cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) is rectangular, and each of the four sides of the rectangular cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) corresponds to one of the at least one straight portion (39).

5. A positive displacement pump (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pressure sensor assembly (18) is configured to detect pressure acting on sensor surfaces (34, 36) from inside each of the measuring channels (16-1, 16-2, 16-3), and the sensor surfaces (34, 36) form one of the at least one straight portion (39) in the cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) and extend over a portion of the length of each of the measuring channels (16, 16-1, 16-2, 16-3) in the flow direction (24) of the at least one measuring channel (16, 16-1, 16-2, 16-3).

6. A positive displacement pump (4) according to claim 5, wherein the cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3) has a height (h, h1, h2, h3) smaller than the width (a) of the cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3), and the sensor surface (34, 36) extends in the width direction of the cross section (38-1, 38-2, 38-3).

7. A positive displacement pump (4) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring channels (16, 16-1, 16-2, 16-3) are fluidly connected in parallel, and the measuring assembly (14) has a component (30) on which each of the measuring channels (16, 16-1, 16-2, 16-3) is formed.

8. A pump system (2) comprising a positive displacement pump (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) is configured to determine the viscosity of the material to be transported (8) and / or the transport speed of the positive displacement pump (4) based on the pressure detected by a pressure sensor assembly (18).

9. A pump system (2) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (6) is configured to determine the transport speed of the positive displacement pump (4) based on the pump speed of the positive displacement pump (4) and / or a pump control signal for the positive displacement pump (4), particularly based on a known pump characteristic curve with respect to the positive displacement pump (4), and to determine the viscosity of the transport material (8) to be transported based on the transport speed thus determined and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor assembly (18).

10. The pump system (2) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (6) is A step of outputting the determined transport speed value and / or the determined viscosity value. A step of detecting wear of the positive displacement pump (4) based on the determined transport speed and / or viscosity, A step of detecting the slip of the positive displacement pump (4) based on the determined transport speed and / or viscosity, A step of controlling the positive displacement pump (4) based on the determined transport speed and / or viscosity, In order to adjust the viscosity of the material to be transported (8) to be transported, a step of controlling the viscosity adjustment device (26) based on the determined transport speed and / or viscosity, A step of controlling a processing plant (28) that processes the material to be conveyed (8) based on the determined conveying speed and / or viscosity, A pump system further configured to perform one or more of the following.

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