Natural Gas Storage Flow Management for Flexible Setpoint Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas storage devices lack flexibility and require complex, costly control systems to manage flow rates during injection and withdrawal, making it difficult to adjust setpoint values during operation and requiring significant computing effort.
Innovation Solution
A method and management device that separate input, management, and control of flow devices, allowing for independent entry of target values and reducing computational complexity by using a management unit to store and regulate setpoint values, enabling flexible operation and reducing the need for complex algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a control device regulates storage and withdrawal with direct flow rate specification, then the desired flow rate is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a management unit that handles high-level decisions (selecting which flow devices to operate and at what rates) and separate control algorithms that execute the regulation. This segmentation allows the management unit to focus on optimization logic while simpler control mechanisms handle execution, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary management unit that acts as a mediator between the desired storage/withdrawal rates and the actual flow devices. This management unit translates high-level objectives into specific flow device assignments, simplifying the control architecture by separating decision-making from execution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow devices are provided in known storage devices, then the storage capacity and flexibility are improved, but the control device requires complex computing algorithms to manage them
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit performs preliminary actions by pre-selecting which flow devices should operate and at what rates based on the desired total flow. This pre-planning approach simplifies the real-time control requirements, as the complex decision-making is done in advance rather than requiring complex algorithms during active regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The management unit autonomously manages the distribution of flow rates among multiple flow devices without requiring complex external control algorithms. Each flow device essentially serves itself by following the management unit's assignments, reducing the need for inter-device coordination complexity.
3Ease of operation
If new setpoint values are entered during running processes, then operational flexibility is improved, but the intervention in running calculation algorithms becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing setpoint values to be updated during operation. The management unit can re-evaluate and re-assign flow device targets in response to new inputs without requiring intervention in the underlying control algorithms, making the system both flexible and simple to operate.
4Manufacturing precision
If the control device is designed to be complex to handle all control functions, then the flow rate regulation is precise, but the device becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control system into a management unit and separate control algorithms, the patent reduces the complexity requirements of individual components. The management unit handles the complex decision-making logic, while the control algorithms can be simpler and more cost-effective, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the automated management of a plurality of throughflow apparatuses (10) for producing a total throughflow of a fluid into and/or out of a storage apparatus (200), in particular a natural gas store, having the steps of: - inputting predefined values for the throughflow apparatuses (10) into an input unit (20), - transferring the input predefined values to a management unit (30), and - using the transferred predefined values of the management unit (30) for managing the throughflow apparatuses (10) in the control and/or regulation thereof.