A steam leak detection system for steam traps
The steam leak detection system addresses human error in existing methods by automatically detecting steam leaks through movement and temperature sensors, providing accurate and timely warnings.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EFE KAZIM TAYFUN
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing steam leak detection methods in steam traps are prone to human error and are not permanently installed, leading to undetected or misdetected leaks due to interference from noise and vibrations, and lack permanent installation.
A steam leak detection system with a control body and moving object, detector unit, processor unit, and warning unit that automatically detects steam leaks by monitoring movement patterns and temperature changes, providing audible or visual warnings.
Automatically detects steam leaks with reduced human error, enhancing measurement accuracy through temperature and movement sensors, and ensures timely warnings to operators.
Smart Images
Figure TR2024051921_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A STEAM LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR STEAM TRAPS
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The invention relates to a steam leak detection system for detecting process steam that the steam trap cannot hold and leak in a steam line comprising a steam trap, having a control body having a first extension and a second extension through which condensate, steam and flash steam pass, and comprising an inlet orifice through which condensate, steam and flash steam enter into said first extension, and an outlet orifice through which condensate, steam and flash steam exit from said second extension.
[0004] PRIOR ART
[0005] When steam transfers its energy by heat transfer to a low-density medium / substance, it condenses and becomes water. This water is called condensate. The steam traps are special devices that drain condensed water, i.e. condensate, in steam systems but retain steam. Condensate accumulating in the system reduces efficiency and can even damage equipment. Therefore, the steam traps are one of the most important elements of steam systems. The main object of the steam traps is to allow the condensed water in the steam line to drain quickly and efficiently to the condensate line or to the external environment, while retaining the process steam. Various types of the steam traps are used in steam systems. These steam traps can be placed at different points in the system. Thanks to the steam traps, the efficiency of the steam in the system is maintained and energy losses are prevented. In addition, problems such as corrosionlime formation and ramming that may occur as a result of condensate accumulation are prevented.
[0006] It is of great importance that the steam traps retain the process steam and drain only the condensate. Steam leaks in the steam traps cause energy loss and reduced efficiency in the system. Some systems have been developed to detect the passage of steam, and in these existing systems: the systems are used, which makes detection by listening to the sound created by the steam leak, or makes detection with a conductivity control body placed upstream of the steam trap by using the venturi effect caused by the speed of the steam or makes detection by visual inspection by an authorized person with a sight glass. In addition, the steam leaks are also detected by digital handheld meters used by an operator to detect the leak by listening to the sound of the steam trap or manually by the operator listening to the sound of the steam trap with headphones. The operator’s visual inspection through the sight glass or manual listening to the running sound of the steam trap with headphones makes leak detection susceptible to human error. The digital measuring devices used by the operator to detect leak by listening to the sound of the steam trap are not permanently installed in the system. The operator has to come up to the steam trap and take a measurement, and can obtain information about whether there is a leak or not, only at the time of the measurement. Measuring devices that listen to the sound of the steam trap and are mounted on the steam trap can be affected by other noises and vibrations in the line. These situations may cause steam leaks in the steam traps to be undetected and / or misdetected.
[0007] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it necessary to realize a novelty in the relevant technical field.
[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to a steam leak detection system to eliminate the above- mentioned disadvantages and bring the new advantages to the relevant technical field.
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a steam detection system capable of automatically detecting a process steam leak, wherein the presence of steam in the steam trap is not held in the steam system of the steam trap and leaks into the condensate line or drain line.
[0011] In order to accomplish all the objects mentioned above and to be revealed from the detailed description below, the present invention is a steam leak detection system for detecting process steam that the steam trap cannot hold and leak in a steam line comprising a steam trap, having a control body having a first extension and a second extension through which condensate, steam and flash steam pass, and comprising an inlet orifice through which condensate, steam and flash steam enter into said first extension, and an outlet orifice through which condensate, steam and flash steam exit from said second extension. Accordingly, the novelty is that it comprises at least one moving object positioned in the flow path of condensate, steam and flash steam between the first extension and the second extension, a detector unit having at least one movement detector that detects the movement pattern of said moving object, and a processor unit that enables the generation of a warning signal to be transmitted to at least one warning unit when said movement detector detects that the moving object is moving in a way that is outside a reference movement pattern. Thus, when there is a steam passage, the presence of process steam escaping from the steam trap can be automatically detected by the unusual movement of the moving object and a warning can be given from the warning unit.
[0012] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processor unit comprises at least one user interface through which the at least one communication unit transmits said warning signal.
[0013] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the detector unit comprises at least one first temperature sensor connected to at least one of the first extension and the second extension.
[0014] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the detector unit comprises at least one second temperature sensor connected to the steam trap or to the pipeline upstream of the steam trap.
[0015] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the detector unit comprises at least one check valve connected to at least one of the first extension and the second extension in contact with condensate, steam and flash steam, and at least one rheostat connected to said check valve.
[0016] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control body comprises at least one lighting element positioned to illuminate the interior thereof.
[0017] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control body comprises at least one sight glass of a transparent structure allowing a view into the interior thereof.
[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a representative cross-sectional view of the control body of the steam leak detection system of the invention.
[0019] Fig. 2 shows a representative schematic view of the steam detection system of the invention.
[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is only described with the examples without any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject.
[0022] Fig. 1 shows a representative cross-sectional view of the control body (10) of the steam leak detection system (1 ) of the invention. Said control body (10) is configured to be positioned in a steam / condensate system / line. The control body (10) does not prevent the discharge of the condensate formed in the line, but allows it to flow thereover by creating a small resistance against the flow.
[0023] The control body (10) comprises at least one first extension (1 1 ) and at least one second extension (12). Condensate, steam and flash steam flow from said first extension (1 1 ) to said second extension (12). The first extension (11 ) comprises at least one inlet orifice (11 1 ) for the inlet of condensate, steam and flash steam; the second extension (12) comprises at least one outlet orifice (121 ) for the outlet of condensate, steam and flash steam. In a possible embodiment, the first extension (11 ) and the second extension (12) extend in the same direction.
[0024] The steam leak detection system (1 ) of the invention is configured for detecting the presence of process steam (live steam) which cannot be held by the steam trap and escapes in the steam line to which it is connected. The process steam referred to here is the steam entering the steam trap in the steam line. Condensate, steam and flash steam enter the control body (10). In a leak-free line, no process steam other than condensate, steam and flash steam is expected to enter the control body (10). It is therefore necessary to detect when process steam enters the control body (10). For this purpose, at least one moving object (15) is positioned in the control body (10) between the first extension (11 ) and the second extension (12). Said moving object (15) is positioned in a range of movement (14) provided in the control body (10). The moving object (15) can move within said range of movement (14). The moving object (15) is positioned on the flow path from the first extension (1 1 ) to the second extension (12). According to this structure, the moving object (15) moves from the first extension (11 ) to the second extension (12) with a reference movement pattern in the case of a condensate, steam and flash steam flow. The moving object (15) has spherical form or any prismatic form in the possible embodiment. It is also possible for the moving object (15) to have any other geometric form. In a possible embodiment, the moving object (15) can also be a piston.
[0025] The steam leak detection system (1 ) comprises at least one detector unit (80) having at least one movement detector (81 ). Said movement detector (81 ) can be a camera. In the possible embodiment, the movement detector (81 ) is a movement sensor. The movement detector (81 ) is configured to detect the movement of the moving object (15). The moving object (15) will move in a certain reference movement pattern when only condensate, steam and flash steam come from the steam trap, and will even move in a movement pattern different from said reference movement pattern when there is a process steam leak. Accordingly, the movement detector (81 ) essentially detects this movement pattern of the moving object (15).
[0026] The steam leak detection system (1 ) comprises at least one processor unit (60). Said processor unit (60) generates a warning signal to be transmitted to at least one warning unit (90) when the movement pattern of the moving object (15) is detected to be outside the reference movement pattern. Said warning unit (90) is configured to give an audible warning in a possible embodiment. In another possible embodiment, the warning unit (90) gives visual warnings. The warning unit (90) is located around the steam line to which the control body (10) is connected. This ensures that people and operators around the steam line are warned in case of the detection of a steam leak.
[0027] In a possible embodiment in which the movement detector (81 ) is a camera, the processor unit (60) is configured to detect the presence of process steam in the control body (10) based on the image from the camera. In this case, the presence of process steam in the control body (10) can be detected even without the moving object (15) and a warning signal can be generated accordingly. In the steam leak detection system (1 ), the detector unit (80) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (82). Said first temperature sensor (82) detects the temperature of condensate, steam and flash steam inside the control body (10). In a possible embodiment, the first temperature sensor (82) is connected to the first extension (1 1 ). When a certain limit temperature value is exceeded at the first temperature sensor (82), it is understood that the process steam is present in the condensate. Accordingly, the processor unit (60) generates a warning signal to be transmitted to the warning unit (90) when the temperature data from the first temperature sensor (82) exceeds a predetermined reference temperature value.
[0028] The steam leak detection system (1 ) comprises at least one second temperature sensor in a possible embodiment. Said second temperature sensor is connected onto the steam trap or to the pipeline immediately upstream of the steam trap depending on the flow direction of the process steam in the line. The temperature measured at the second temperature sensor is the temperature of the process steam. Accordingly, the temperature at the second temperature sensor is expected to be higher than the temperature at the first temperature sensor (82). When the process steam enters the control body (10), the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor (82) will increase. Accordingly, if there is no steam leak in the line, there must be a certain degree of difference - including certain tolerances - between the first temperature sensor (82) and the second temperature sensor. In a possible embodiment of the steam leak detection system (1 ) of the invention, the processor unit (60) compares the temperature values received from the first temperature sensor (82) and the second temperature sensor and generates a warning signal when the temperature difference between them exceeds a predetermined limit temperature difference value. The steam leak probability information from the temperature sensors is compared with the movement pattern detected from the movement sensor, increasing the probability that the device will correctly detect the steam leak. Thus, measurement accuracy is increased thanks to the temperature sensors.
[0029] The control body (10) comprises at least one check valve (20). Said check valve (20) is preferably positioned in the second extension (12). The check valve (20) serves to ensure unidirectional flow of condensate, steam and flash steam. The check valve (20) is essentially a swing check valve (20). The detector unit (80) comprises at least one rheostat (83). The check valve (20) is connected to said rheostat (83). The rheostat (83) changes resistance according to the opening of the check valve (20). If the resistance value exceeds a specified limit value, it is understood that the process steam may be present in the condensate. The rheostat (83) transmits the resistance value to the processor unit (60). The processor unit (60) ensures that a warning signal is generated if the resistance value exceeds a limit resistance value.
[0030] The control body (10) comprises at least one sight glass (30). The sight glass (30) is a transparent, temperature- and pressure-resistant glass that allows the inside of the control body (10) to be seen. In this way, the movement detector (81 ) will be able to see the movement of the moving object (15) inside the control body (10). However, at least one lighting element (50) is connected to the control body (10) so as to illuminate the inside of the body. The control body (10) comprises at least one lid (40) covering an opening providing access to the control body (10). The lid (40) is detachably connected to the control body (10). Thanks to the lid (40), it is possible to intervene inside the control body (10) for maintenance, repair and cleaning.
[0031] The control body (10) comprises at least one third extension (13). Said third extension (13) extends in a different direction than the first extension (11 ) and the second extension (12). In the preferred embodiment, the range of movement (14) extends in the direction of the third extension (13) and allows the moving object (15) to move in the direction of the third extension (13). Accordingly, the movement detector (81 ) is also connected to the third extension (13). In the preferred embodiment, the lid (40) and sight glass (30) are also located in the third extension (13).
[0032] The steam leak detection system (1 ) comprises at least one user interface (100). Said user interface (100) may be a phone, a computer or the like. The processor unit (60) is associated with at least one communication unit (70) which transmits the warning signal to the user interface (100). Accordingly, the warning signal is transmitted to the user interface 100 when a process steam leak is detected from the steam trap connected to the steam line. The communication unit (70) is the Lorawan gateway in the preferred embodiment. The communication unit (70) is also the unit that transmits the warning signal to the warning unit (90).
[0033] In a possible embodiment of the steam leak detection system (1 ), the processor unit (15) enables learning of movement pattern data in advance by the machine learning method. The processor unit can determine a reference movement pattern based on the learned information. Thus, an up-to-date reference movement pattern can be obtained according to the learned data and the system can continuously update itself. However, in a possible embodiment, the processor unit (15) can learn the reference temperature value in advance by machine learning. Furthermore, in a possible embodiment, the processor unit (15) can learn the limit resistance value for the rheostat (83) in advance by machine learning.
[0034] In a possible embodiment, the control body (10) comprises at least one housing. Said housing is a rigid body configured to enclose the sight glass (30) and the movement detector (81 ). The housing isolates the sight glass (30) and movement detector (81 ) from the external environment. This prevents dust from interfering with the observation. In another possible embodiment, the processor unit (60) is also covered by the housing. This isolates the processor from the external environment.
[0035] According to all these explanations, the presence of process steam in the condensate is automatically detected by means of the steam leak detection system (1 ) of the invention and movement detector (81 ) and human errors are minimized. In addition, the temperature sensor (82) and rheostat (83) in the detector unit (80) transmit additional information to the processor unit (60) for accurate detection of the process steam leak and increase the measurement accuracy. When it is detected that any of the values from the detectors in the detector unit (80) exceed the limit values, the processor unit (60) generates a warning signal, and this warning signal is transmitted to the warning unit (90) by the communication unit (70). In addition, by transmitting the warning signal to the user interface (100), it is ensured that people far away from the system to which the steam leak detection system (1 ) is connected are warned.
[0036] The scope of protection of the invention is described in the attached claims and cannot be limited to what is explained in this detailed description for the exemplary purposes. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of what is explained above, without deviating from the main theme of the invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE DRAWING
[0037] 1 Steam Leak Detection System
[0038] 10 Control Body
[0039] 11 First Extension
[0040] 111 Inlet Orifice
[0041] 12 Second Extension
[0042] 121 Outlet Orifice
[0043] 13 Third Extension
[0044] 14 Range of Movement
[0045] 15 Moving Object
[0046] 20 Check Valve
[0047] 30 Sight Glass
[0048] 40 Lid
[0049] 50 Lighting Element
[0050] 60 Processor Unit
[0051] 70 Communication Unit
[0052] 80 Detector Unit
[0053] 81 Movement Detector
[0054] 82 First Temperature Sensor
[0055] 83 Rheostat
[0056] 90 Warning Unit
[0057] 100 User Interface
Claims
CLAIMS1. A steam leak detection system (1 ) for detecting process steam that the steam trap cannot hold and leak in a steam line comprising a steam trap, having a control body (10) having a first extension (1 1 ) and a second extension (12) through which condensate, steam and flash steam pass, and comprising an inlet orifice (1 11 ) through which condensate, steam and flash steam enter into said first extension (1 1 ), and an outlet orifice (121 ) through which condensate, steam and flash steam exit from said second extension (12), characterized in that it comprises at least one moving object (15) positioned in the flow path of condensate, steam and flash steam between the first extension (1 1 ) and the second extension (12), a detector unit (80) having at least one movement detector (81 ) that detects the movement pattern of said moving object (15), and a processor unit (60) that enables the generation of a warning signal to be transmitted to at least one warning unit (90) when said movement detector (81 ) detects that the moving object (15) is moving in a way that is outside a reference movement pattern.
2. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the processor unit (60) comprises at least one user interface (100) through which the at least one communication unit (70) transmits said warning signal.
3. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detector unit (80) comprises at least one first temperature sensor (82) connected to at least one of the first extension (1 1 ) and the second extension (12).
4. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detector unit (80) comprises at least one second temperature sensor connected to the steam trap or to the pipeline upstream of the steam trap according to the direction of flow of the process steam in the line.
5. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detector unit (80) comprises at least one check valve (20) connected to at least one of the first extension (11 ) and the second extension (12) in contact withcondensate, steam and flash steam, and at least one rheostat (83) connected to said check valve (20).
6. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the control body (10) comprises at least one lighting element (50) positioned to illuminate the interior thereof.
7. A steam leak detection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the control body (10) comprises at least one sight glass (30) of a transparent structure allowing a view into the interior thereof.