Hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for natural gas pipeline

Abstract

The present invention relates to a technology that blends hydrogen with natural gas through a natural gas pipe network and thus transports the blended gas, and the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline.

Description

HYDROGEN BLENDING CONTROL AND LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology that blends hydrogen with natural gas through a natural gas pipe network and thus transports the blended gas, more particularly to a system that is capable of controlling a flow rate of blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen and a blending ratio of the blended gas to allow the hydrogen to be injected into a natural gas pipe and thus to transport the blended gas stably, detecting hydrogen leaks in real time, and immediately treating the hydrogen leaks.

[0002] Hydrogen is an eco-friendly energy source that is regarded as a key resource for accomplishing carbon neutrality. At present, transition to a hydrogen economy has been accelerated globally, and further, a technology in which hydrogen is blended with natural gas, while utilizing an existing natural gas pipe network, has emerged as an economical and realistic plan before a hydrogen feed infrastructure is built.

[0003] The existing natural gas pipe network is designed to transport natural gas such as methane and used as a key infrastructure for stable gas supply. However, hydrogen is a smaller molecule than natural gas and has flow characteristics different from natural gas, which causes flow instability and hydrogen leaks in the pipe network. This results in the damage of the pipe and the reduction in the stability of gas supply.

[0004] To allow the blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen to be safely transported, it is necessary to have a system that is capable of optimizing a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas, controlling the flow rate of the blended gas in real time, and detecting and stopping hydrogen leaks. Through such a system, the safety of the pipe network is ensured, and gas feeding is continuously kept.

[0005] To do this, therefore, the present invention provides a hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline that monitors and controls a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of blended gas and a flow rate of the blended gas in real time, detects hydrogen leaks, and immediately treats the hydrogen leaks, thereby ensuring high degrees of safety and effectiveness.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a system that is capable of controlling a flow rate of blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen and a blending ratio of the blended gas to allow the hydrogen to be injected into a natural gas pipe and thus to transport the blended gas stably, detecting hydrogen leaks in real time, and immediately treating the hydrogen leaks.

[0007] To accomplish the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline, the system including: a main pipe for transporting natural gas; an injection pipe connected to the main pipe to inject hydrogen into the main pipe; at least one or more first flow meters disposed on the main pipe; at least one or more second flow meters disposed on the injection pipe; a gas analyzer located on a given position of the main pipe behind a connection portion between the main pipe and the injection pipe to measure a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of blended gas as a mixture of the natural gas and hydrogen; and a control device for monitoring flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe using the first flow meters and the second flow meters, monitoring the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas of the main pipe using the gas analyzer, and controlling the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe, based on the monitored results, to allow the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas to be kept, while keeping the blended gas in the main pipe is being kept at given flow rate and pattern.

[0008] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device may predict the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, based on the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe, measure a real blending ratio of hydrogen to the natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, compare the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, and control the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe.

[0009] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the system may further include at least one or more hydrogen sensors located on the outsides of the main pipe and the injection pipe to detect hydrogen leaks so that if the hydrogen leaks are detected, the hydrogen sensors transmit leak detection signals to the control device, and the control device closes shutoff valves disposed on the main pipe and the injection pipe to stop hydrogen from being injected into the main pipe.

[0010] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device may predict the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, based on the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe, measure the real blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, and if the leak detection signals are received from any one or more of the at least one or more hydrogen sensors, compare the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, so that if a different value between the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio is over a set value, the control device may determine that hydrogen leaks occur.

[0011] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the gas analyzer may be located on a given position of the main pipe where the flow of the blended gas is stabilized behind a given distance from the connected portion.

[0012] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device may apply the monitored results to artificial intelligence models trained to keep the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas, while keeping the blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen at the given flow rate and pattern in the main pipe, produce control information for controlling the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe, and control the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe, based on the control information.

[0013] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the artificial intelligence models may be trained using input data as the monitored results for the flow rates of the main pipe and the injection pipe, the monitored results for the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, and the flow rate and pattern of the blended gas in the main pipe.

[0014] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the injection pipe may include a pressure reducing valve located thereon, and the control device may control the opening and closing of the pressure reducing valve to adjust a pressure in a process where hydrogen is injected.

[0015] According to the present invention, the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline can monitor and control the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas and the flow rate of the blended gas in real time, detect hydrogen leaks, and immediately treat the hydrogen leaks, thereby ensuring high degrees of safety and effectiveness.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a central control system of the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operating method for the central control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hydrogen blending facility of the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Hereinafter, an explanation of an embodiment of the present invention will be given in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] If it is determined that the detailed explanation on the well-known technology related to the present invention makes the scope of the present invention not clear, the explanation will be avoided for the brevity of the description.

[0022] In the description, the thicknesses of the lines or the sizes of the components shown in the drawing may be magnified for the clarity and convenience of the description. In the drawings, the corresponding parts in the embodiments of the present invention are indicated by corresponding reference numerals.

[0023] Objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description as will be described below and the attached drawings. Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0024] The term 'coupled' or 'connected', as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. To the contrarily, the term 'directly coupled' or 'directly connected', as used herein, is defined as connected without having any component disposed therebetween. In the description, when it is said that one portion is described as "includes" any component, one element further may include other components unless no specific description is suggested.

[0025] Now, an operating principle of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. If it is determined that the detailed explanation on the well-known technology related to the present invention makes the scope of the present invention not clear, the explanation will be avoided for the brevity of the description. Further, the terms as will be discussed later are defined in accordance with the functions of the present invention, but may be varied under the intention or regulation of a user or operator. Therefore, they should be defined on the basis of the whole scope of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a main pipe 10, an injection pipe 20, an injection pipe valve 21, a main pipe flow meter 12, an injection pipe flow meter 22, a gas analyzer 30, and a flow controller 40. In addition, however, the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to the present invention may further include other components, and otherwise, the system may remove some of the components as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the respective components may not have such names suggested in FIG. 1, and otherwise, they may have other names. For example, the flow controller 40 is used as a generalized name such as a control device.

[0028] The main pipe 10 is a basic pipe for transporting natural gas such as methane. The main pipe 10 is structurally strengthened so that hydrogen is entrained into the natural gas to stably transport the natural gas, while still utilizing the existing natural gas infrastructure. For example, the main pipe 10 is coated specially to achieve a high degree of stability at a high pressure situation according to the characteristics of the hydrogen entrained and to prevent the interior thereof from corroding due to the brittleness thereof.

[0029] The main pipe 10 has various sensors and meters disposed on different points thereof to monitor a state of the gas blended with hydrogen. For example, the main pipe 10 has flow meters, a gas analysis sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor mounted thereon.

[0030] The injection pipe 20, which is a path for injecting hydrogen into the main pipe 10, connects a hydrogen supply source (not shown) and the main pipe 10 to each other. The injection pipe 20 is made of a given metal alloy and coated specially to achieve a high degree of stability at a high pressure situation according to the characteristics of hydrogen and to prevent the interior thereof from corroding due to the brittleness thereof.

[0031] The injection pipe 20 has various sensors and meters disposed on different points thereof to monitor a state of hydrogen injected. For example, the injection pipe 20 has flow meters, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor mounted thereon.

[0032] The injection pipe 20 has the injection pipe valve 21 mounted thereon to adjust an amount of hydrogen injected into the main pipe 10. The injection pipe valve 21 serves to control the amount of hydrogen injected into the main pipe 10 according to the control of the flow controller 40, so that the gas blended with hydrogen is kept at given flow rate and pattern, while a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is being kept.

[0033] The injection pipe valve 21 has a pressure reducing valve mounted thereon to adjust a pressure in a process where hydrogen is injected, which is not shown in FIG. 1. The pressure reducing valve is mounted inside the injection pipe valve 21, and otherwise, it may be located separately from the injection pipe valve 21.

[0034] The main pipe flow meter 12 serves to measure a flow rate of the gas blended with hydrogen in the main pipe 10, and the injection pipe flow meter 22 serves to measure a flow rate of hydrogen injected into the main pipe 10 through the injection pipe 20. The main pipe flow meter 12 is located on a curved area or branched point of the main pipe 10 to provide accurate data even on a complex flow of the gas blended with hydrogen, and the injection pipe flow meter 22 is located on a straight line area of the injection pipe 20 to perform accurate control for the amount of hydrogen injected.

[0035] The main pipe flow meter 12 and the injection pipe flow meter 22 transmit the measured data to the flow controller 40. The data are used to detect and control changes in the flow rates that occur in a process of moving the blended gas along pipes. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the data measured through the main pipe flow meter 12 and the injection pipe flow meter 22 are used so that the gas blended with hydrogen in the main pipe 10 is kept at given flow rate and pattern, while a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is being kept.

[0036] The gas analyzer 30 accurately measures a blending ratio of the components of the blended gas, that is, a blending ration of hydrogen to natural gas. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the gas analyzer 30 is located on a given position of the main pipe 10 where the flow of the blended gas is stabilized behind a given distance from a connected portion between the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20. The gas analyzer 30 serves to analyze the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10.

[0037] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the gas analyzer 30 transmits the analyzed data, that is, the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas to the flow controller 40. The gas analyzer 30 transmits the data analyzed in real time to the flow controller 40, and if the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas differs from a set reference value, that is, if the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is over or less than the set reference value, the gas analyzer 30 generates a warning signal and transmits the warning signal to the flow controller 40 and / or other devices. The gas analyzer 30 serves to keep a quality of blended gas constantly, keep the set blending ratio consistently, and thus maximize a degree of the efficiency of the system.

[0038] The flow controller 40, which is the most important device in the hydrogen blending control system of the present invention, collects data from the main pipe flow meter 12, the injection pipe flow meter 22, and the gas analyzer 30 and treats the collected data. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the flow controller 40 analyzes data of the blending ratio and flow rate of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 and thus controls the blending of hydrogen. For example, if a hydrogen ratio of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 is higher than a set value, the injection pipe valve 21 is partially closed to decrease an amount of hydrogen injected, and contrarily, if a hydrogen ratio of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 is lower than the set value, the injection pipe valve 21 is opened to increase an amount of hydrogen injected.

[0039] The flow controller 40 performs such control in an automated way, analyzes data patterns using artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning algorithms, and pre-solves problems occurrable through predictive control. For example, the flow controller 40 learns real-time data using AI models, predicts the flow patterns of the blended gas, and pre-treats the problems occurrable, based on the predicted flow patterns. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the flow controller 40 reduces the possibility where emergency situations occur and greatly improves the reliability of the system.

[0040] Even though not shown in FIG. 1, further, the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to the present invention may include shutoff valves mounted on the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20. The shutoff valves serve to automatically shut off the pipes if hydrogen leaks occur, so that the gas does not flow to minimize an explosion risk. The shutoff valves are controlled through electronically driven devices so that they can operate rapidly and accurately, and further, they can be controlled remotely.

[0041] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the system of the present invention serves to entrain hydrogen into the natural gas pipe network and safely transport the blended gas with hydrogen, so that while the infrastructure of the existing natural gas pipe network is being still used, a degree of safety of the blended gas with the hydrogen can be ensured. Further, the system of the present invention serves to precisely control the blending ratio of hydrogen and natural gas and ensure a high degree of safety through hydrogen leak detection. As a result, the emission of carbon decreases, hydrogen is utilized dynamically, and energy is used efficiently.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a central control system of the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, a central control system 200, which is the most important component of the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to the present invention, analyzes the data collected from various sensors and devices in real time and produces control commands. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the central control system 200 transmits and receives signals and data to and from the injection pipe valve 21, the injection pipe flow meter 22, the gas analyzer 30, the main pipe flow meter 12, and a hydrogen sensor 50 and thus controls the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline according to the present invention. In this case, the central control system 200 directly transmits and receives signals and data to and from the injection pipe valve 21, the injection pipe flow meter 22, the gas analyzer 30, the main pipe flow meter 12, and the hydrogen sensor 50, and without being limited thereto, the central control system 200 transmits and receives the signals and data to and from them through the flow controller 40 as shown in FIG. 1. Otherwise, the central control system 200 may transmit and receive the signals and data to and from some of them and transmit and receive the signals and data to and from the remaining devices through the flow controller 40. Furthermore, the central control system 200 may transmit and receive the signals and data to and from other devices that are not suggested in FIG. 1. Further, the flow controller 40 may be included in the central control system 200. Furthermore, the respective components as shown in FIG. 2 may have other names. For example, the central control system 200 has a generalized name such as a control device.

[0044] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the central control system 200 collects data from the main pipe flow meter 12, the injection pipe flow meter 22, and the gas analyzer 30, analyzes the collected data, and thus controls the injection pipe valve 21. In this case, the central control system 200 collects data through the flow controller 40 as shown in FIG. 1 and thus controls the injection pipe valve 21.

[0045] The hydrogen sensor 50 serves to detect hydrogen leaks occurrable in the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20. Hydrogen is the smallest molecule so that it has higher leak accident probability than other gases, and since the main pipe 10 is designed to transport natural gas, hydrogen leak may occur in the main pipe 10. Therefore, there is a need to detect hydrogen leaks through the highly sensitive hydrogen sensor 50. The hydrogen sensor such as a palladium-based sensor or electrochemical sensor detects hydrogen using a highly sensitive technology. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen sensor 50 transmits a notifying signal to the central control system 200 if it detects hydrogen. The central control system 200 closes the shutoff valves mounted on the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20, based on the notifying signal received from the hydrogen sensor 50, thereby stopping the gas from leaking and preventing the occurrence of safety accidents.

[0046] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the central control system 200 analyzes the flow rate data and adjusts the flow and blending ratio of the blended gas in real time. Operations of the central control system 200 are similar to those of the flow controller 40 as shown in FIG. 1, and therefore, repeated explanations will be avoided.

[0047] The central control system 200 keeps the flow and blending ratio of the blended gas, and besides, it learns the flow pattern of the blended gas through the application of the AI algorithms and thus pre-solves problems occurrable. For example, the central control system 200 predicts the changes in flow and pressure of gas from past data pattern, improves stability through pre-treatments to reduce the possibility where emergency situations occur, and greatly improves the reliability of the system.

[0048] For example, the central control system 200 pre-treats the data collected from the main pipe flow meter 12, the injection pipe flow meter 22, and the gas analyzer 30, to predetermined formats and applies the pre-treated data to AI models trained to adjust the flow rate and blending ratio of the blended gas. For example, the central control system 200 controls the operations of the injection pipe valve 21, based on the values outputted from the AI models. For example, the central control system 200 controls the operations of at least one of devices (e.g., a filter, an emergency shutoff valve, static pressure equipment, a safety valve, a hydrogen detector, the gas analyzer, the flow controller, the flow meter, and a flow adjustor) in a hydrogen blending facility as will be discussed in FIG. 4, based on the values outputted from the AI model.

[0049] Besides, the central control system 200 provides real time monitoring and management through data visualization. A user checks in real time the flow rate, blending ratio, and leak state of the blended gas through a user interface connected to the central control system 200. In case of warning occurrence, visual and audible warning is provided, and the entire system is controlled through the user's manual control according to situations. As a result, the time for treating an emergent situation is substantially reduced, and a degree of safety in the use of the system is improved.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation method for the central control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, in step S310, a control device monitors the flow rates of the main pipe and the injection pipe using a first flow meter and a second flow meter. The control device may become the flow meter 40 as shown in FIG. 1, the central control system 200 as shown in FIG. 2, or the like. Further, the first flow meter may become the main pipe flow meter 12, and the second flow meter may become the injection pipe flow meter 22. The control device receives data of the flow rate of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 and data of the flow rate of the hydrogen injected into the main valve 10 through the injection pipe 20 from the first flow meter and the second flow meter through wired and wireless communication.

[0052] In step S320, the control device monitors the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 through the gas analyzer 30. The control device receives data of the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 from the gas analyzer 30 through wired and wireless communication. If the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas differs from a set reference value, the control device receives a warning signal for notifying that the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is over or less than the set reference value from the gas analyzer 30.

[0053] In step S330, the control device controls the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe 10 from the injection pipe 20 according to the monitored result, so that the gas blended with hydrogen in the main pipe 10 is kept at given flow rate and pattern, while the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is kept consistently. For example, the control device allows the injection pipe valve 21 to be opened to a large extent if the ratio of hydrogen of the blended gas is less than a set reference value, and contrarily, the control device allows at least a portion of the injection pipe valve 21 to be closed if the ratio of hydrogen of the blended gas is over the set reference value, so that the ratio of hydrogen is adjusted.

[0054] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device predicts the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 according to the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20. That is, the control device calculates amounts of natural gas, blended gas, and / or natural gas or hydrogen of the blended gas that flow in the main pipe 10 through the first flow meter and the gas analyzer 30 and calculates an amount of hydrogen injected into the main pipe 10 from the injection pipe 20 through the second flow meter, so that the control device predicts the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 after the hydrogen has been injected into the main pipe 10. After that, the control device measures the real blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 through the gas analyzer 30. The control device compares the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio to control the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe 10 from the injection pipe 20. For example, the control device determines a degree of openness of the injection pipe valve 21 and open time thereof, based on the difference value between the predicted blending ratio and the real blending ratio.

[0055] If the control device receives a leak detection signal from the hydrogen sensor 50, further, it closes the shutoff valves mounted on the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20 to stop hydrogen from being injected into the main pipe 10. In the case where the control device receives the leak detection signal, it predicts the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10 according to the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20 and measures the real blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10. Next, the control device compares the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, and if the different value is over a set value, the control device determines that a hydrogen leak occurs. Through such two-step determination, the control device determines whether hydrogen leaks occur more accurately. In detail, the control device determines the hydrogen leak occurs once when it receives the hydrogen detection signal from the hydrogen sensor 50, and after it compares the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, it one more time determines whether hydrogen leak occurs, thereby ensuring more accurate determinations.

[0056] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device controls the injection of hydrogen using the AI models. In this case, the AI models are models that are trained to keep the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas, while keeping the blended gas of hydrogen and natural gas at the given flow rate and pattern in the main pipe, and produces control information for controlling the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe 10 from the injection pipe 20 with the monitored data through the first flow meter, the second flow meter, and the gas analyzer. In this case, the AI models are models that are trained using input data as the monitored results for the flow rates of the main pipe 10 and the injection pipe 20, the monitored results for the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe 10, and the flow rate and pattern of the blended gas in the main pipe 10. The control device controls the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe 10, based on the control information produced from the AI models.

[0057] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the control device monitors and controls the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas and the flow rate of the blended gas in real time, detects hydrogen leaks, and immediately treats the hydrogen leaks, thereby ensuring high degrees of safety and effectiveness.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hydrogen blending facility of the hydrogen blending control and leak detection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, the hydrogen blending facility includes the filter, the emergency shutoff valve, the static pressure equipment, the safety valve, the hydrogen detector, the gas analyzer, the flow controller, the flow meter, and the flow adjustor, and a natural gas pipe includes filters, a heater, a governor, a meter. FIG. 4 is suggested to help the present invention understood, and therefore, all of the components in the figure may not be included in the hydrogen blending facility.

[0060] Hydrogen is fed to the hydrogen blending facility from the hydrogen supply source. If hydrogen is fed to the hydrogen blending facility, it first passes through the filters, the static pressure equipment, and the flow adjustor and is then fed to the natural gas pipe. In this case, the emergency shutoff valve and the safety valve for stopping hydrogen from being fed at an emergency situation are located on a hydrogen feed path. Further, the hydrogen blending facility is provided with the hydrogen detector for detecting hydrogen leaks and the gas analyzer for measuring the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas in the natural gas pipe. Furthermore, the hydrogen blending facility includes the flow controller for controlling the injection of hydrogen into the natural gas pipe, and the flow controller controls the injection of hydrogen through the control of the flow adjustor, based on the measured result through the gas analyzer.

[0061] If hydrogen is injected into the natural gas pipe, the blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen first passes through the filters, the heater, and the governor sequentially. The meter of the natural gas pipe is located behind the governor, and a sensor of the gas analyzer of the hydrogen blending facility is located on the corresponding position of the natural gas pipe.

[0062] The functions related to the artificial intelligence according to the disclosure of the present invention are implemented through a processor and a memory. The processor is provided singularly or plurally. In this case, one or more processors may become general purpose processors such as Central Processing Unit (CPU), Application Processor (AP), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and the like, graphic-dedicated processors such as Graphic Processing Unit (GPU), Vision Processing Unit (VPU), and the like, or artificial intelligence-dedicated processors such as Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and the like. One or more processors control processing of input data according to the pre-defined operation rules stored in the memory or artificial intelligence models. If one or more processors are artificial intelligence-dedicated processors, further, the artificial intelligence-dedicated processors are designed to have a hardware structure specialized in the processing of the artificial intelligence models.

[0063] The pre-defined operation rules or the AI models are made through learning. This means that a basic AI model learns using learning data through learning algorithms to make the pre-defined operation rules or the AI models set to achieve desired characteristics (or objects). The learning is performed in the device itself where the AI according to the present disclosure is implemented or in a separate server and / or system. Examples of the learning algorithms include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning, but they may not be limited thereto.

[0064] The AI models consist of a plurality of neural network layers. Each neural network layer has a plurality of weight values and performs neural network operations through the operation results of previous layers and the operations of the plurality of weight values. The plurality of weight values the plurality of neural network layers have are optimized by the learning results of the AI models. For example, the plurality of weight values are updated to decrease or minimize loss values or cost values acquired in the AI models during learning. Artificial neural networks include Deep Neural Network (DNN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM), Deep Belief Network (DBN), Bidirectional Recurrent Deep Neural Network (BRDNN), and Deep Q-Networks, but they may not be limited thereto.

[0065] The AI models are made through training. This means that a basic AI model learns using learning data through learning algorithms to make the pre-defined operation rules or the AI models set to achieve desired characteristics (or objects). The AI models consist of a plurality of neural network layers. Each neural network layer has a plurality of weight values and performs neural network operations through the operation results of previous layers and the operations of the plurality of weight values. The plurality of weight values the plurality of neural network layers have are optimized by the learning results of the AI models.

[0066] The methods according to the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0067] If the methods are implemented by software, a computer readable storage medium in which one or more programs (software modules) are stored is provided. One or more programs stored in the computer readable storage medium are configured to be executed by one or more processors in an electronic device, and they include instructions with which the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention are implemented.

[0068] Such programs (software modules and software) include a non-volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like, read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disc storage device, compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVDs), optical storage device, magnetic cassette, and the like. Otherwise, the programs may be stored in a memory constituted of some of them or a combination of them. Further, each memory may be provided plurally.

[0069] Further, the programs may be stored in an attachable storage device that is accessed through a communication network such as Internet, Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide LAN (WLAN), Storage Area Network (SAN), or any combination thereof. The storage device is accessible to a device through which the embodiment of the present invention is implemented through an external port. Further, a separate storage device on the communication network may be accessible to the device through which the embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

[0070] In the embodiment of the present invention, the components may be expressed in a singular or plural form. However, the singular or plural expressions may be appropriately chosen according to the suggested situations for the brevity of the description, and therefore, even the components expressed in the plural forms may be provided singularly, and vice versa.

[0071] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Therefore, the present invention may be modified in various ways and may have several exemplary embodiments. Specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description.　However, this does not limit the invention within specific embodiments and it should be understood that the invention covers all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the invention.

Claims

1.A hydrogen blending control and leak detection system for a natural gas pipeline, comprising:a main pipe for transporting natural gas;an injection pipe connected to the main pipe to inject hydrogen into the main pipe;at least one or more first flow meters disposed on the main pipe;at least one or more second flow meters disposed on the injection pipe;a gas analyzer located on a given position of the main pipe behind a connection portion between the main pipe and the injection pipe to measure a blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of blended gas as a mixture of the natural gas and hydrogen; anda control device for monitoring flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe using the first flow meters and the second flow meters, monitoring the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas of the main pipe using the gas analyzer, and controlling the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe, based on the monitored results, to allow the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas to be kept, while keeping the blended gas in the main pipe is being kept at given flow rate and pattern.2.The system according to claim 1, wherein the control device predicts the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, based on the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe, measures a real blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, compares the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, and controls the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe.3.The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one or more hydrogen sensors located on the outsides of the main pipe and the injection pipe to detect hydrogen leaks so that if the hydrogen leaks are detected, the hydrogen sensors transmit leak detection signals to the control device, and the control device closes shutoff valves disposed on the main pipe and the injection pipe to stop hydrogen from being injected into the main pipe.4.The system according to claim 3, wherein the control device predicts the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, based on the monitored results for the flow rates in the main pipe and the injection pipe, measures the real blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, and if the leak detection signals are received from any one or more of the at least one or more hydrogen sensors, compares the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio, so that if a different value between the predicted blending ratio with the real blending ratio is over a set value, the control device determines that hydrogen leaks occur.5.The system according to claim 1, wherein the gas analyzer is located on a given position of the main pipe where the flow of the blended gas is stabilized behind a given distance from the connected portion.6.The system according to claim 1, wherein the control device applies the monitored results to artificial intelligence models trained to keep the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas, while keeping the blended gas as a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen at the given flow rate and pattern in the main pipe, produces control information for controlling the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe from the injection pipe, and controls the injection of hydrogen into the main pipe, based on the control information.7.The system according to claim 6, wherein the artificial intelligence models are trained using input data as the monitored results for the flow rates of the main pipe and the injection pipe, the monitored results for the blending ratio of hydrogen to natural gas of the blended gas in the main pipe, and the flow rate and pattern of the blended gas in the main pipe.8.The system according to claim 1, wherein the injection pipe comprises a pressure reducing valve located thereon, and the control device controls the opening and closing of the pressure reducing valve to adjust a pressure in a process where hydrogen is injected.

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