A method and an apparatus for determining a deviation in a thermal energy circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined district heating and cooling systems face challenges in efficiently identifying deviations, such as leaks or unauthorized connections, which can lead to downtime and inefficiencies in maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving flow sensors in both hot and cold fluid conduits, along with thermal device sensors, generates deviation signals based on flow measurements to detect leaks or unauthorized connections, allowing for quicker identification and location of issues within the thermal energy circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple flow sensors are installed in hot and cold fluid conduits to detect deviations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy circuit is segmented into multiple monitoring zones by installing flow sensors at different locations (first and second hot fluid flow sensors, first and second cold fluid flow sensors). Each sensor monitors a specific segment, allowing precise localization of deviations while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular monitoring sections.
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary that receives flow measurements from multiple sensors, processes the data, and generates deviation signals. This central processing unit simplifies the overall system architecture by consolidating the complexity of multi-sensor data analysis in a single location rather than requiring complex distributed processing at each sensor node.
2Reliability
If flow measurements from multiple sensors are compared to generate deviation signals, then reliability of deviation detection is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server continuously receives and processes flow measurements from all sensors in real-time, maintaining an ongoing comparison between measured flows and expected flows. This continuous preliminary processing ensures that when a deviation occurs, the system is already prepared to immediately generate and transmit deviation signals without delay for initial data collection or processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where deviation signals are generated and transmitted immediately when flow measurements indicate a deviation. This real-time feedback loop ensures rapid response to deviations while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and immediate signal transmission upon detection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A method for identifying a deviation in a thermal energy circuit is presented. The method comprising: receiving (302) a first hot fluid flow measurement (f1) from a first hot fluid flow sensor (208) arranged in a hot fluid conduit (102); receiving (304) a first cold fluid flow measurement (r1) from a first cold fluid flow sensor (204) arranged in a cold fluid conduit (104); receiving (306) a second hot fluid flow measurement (f2) from a second hot fluid flow sensor (210) arranged in the hot fluid conduit (102) upstream the first hot fluid flow meter (208); receiving (308) a second cold fluid flow measurement (r2) from a second cold fluid flow sensor (206) arranged in the cold fluid conduit (104) downstream the first cold fluid flow sensor (204); receiving (310) a thermal device flow measurement (g) from a thermal device flow sensor (202) configured to measure a thermal device flow of a thermal device (106a) connected to the hot fluid conduit (102) downstream the first hot fluid flow sensor (208) and upstream the second hot fluid flow sensor (210), and to the cold fluid conduit (104) upstream the first cold fluid flow sensor (204) and downstream the second cold fluid flow sensor (206). The method further comprising upon (312) the first hot fluid flow measurement (f1) is different from the second hot fluid flow measurement (f2) and the thermal device flow measurement (g) in combination, generating (314) a first deviation signal indicating a deviation in the hot fluid conduit (102), or upon (316) the first cold fluid flow measurement (r1) is different from the second cold fluid flow measurement (r2) and the thermal device flow measurement (g) in combination, generating (318) a second deviation signal indicating a deviation in the cold fluid conduit (104).