Pipeline Network Pressure Diagnosis for Leak and Clogging Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipeline network diagnosis techniques require user input for air leakage position candidates and are inefficient in calculating air leakage and device clogging in large-scale networks, failing to grasp the progress of aged deterioration and determine timely repair or replacement needs.

Innovation Solution

A pipeline network diagnosing device that acquires pressure measurements, divides the network into sub-networks, calculates air flow, and estimates air leakage and device clogging using pressure measurement values and sub-network models, eliminating the need for user input and enabling rapid diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a user inputs air leakage position candidates and solves the optimization problem using genetic algorithm, then air leakage position can be determined, but it takes much time to calculate for large-scale pipeline networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair leakage position determination accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline network is divided into multiple sub-networks based on the topology structure, with each sub-network containing a specific air leakage detection device. This segmentation allows parallel processing of air leakage detection across different sub-networks, significantly reducing the overall calculation time while maintaining detection accuracy through localized optimization problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of solving the optimization problem for the entire large-scale network simultaneously, the system performs partial action by solving smaller optimization problems for each sub-network independently. This approach reduces computational complexity and execution time while still achieving comprehensive coverage of the entire pipeline network through aggregation of sub-network results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If existing techniques are used to diagnose air leakage in the pipeline network, then air leakage position can be identified, but the device clogging state cannot be grasped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair leakage position identification accuracyVSAvoiddevice clogging state information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The air leakage detection device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both air leakage detection and device clogging state detection. By integrating multiple sensing capabilities (pressure sensors, flow meters, temperature sensors) and a unified data processing system, the device can simultaneously monitor multiple parameters and identify both air leakage positions and device clogging states through comprehensive analysis of the collected data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If nondestructive inspection apparatus such as ultrasonic thickness gauge is used to diagnose aged deterioration of air pipelines and devices, then progress status can be diagnosed, but it takes a lot of time to diagnose the entire pipeline network

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaged deterioration progress status diagnosis accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis time for entire network
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline network system performs self-diagnosis of aged deterioration by continuously monitoring operational parameters (pressure drops, flow rates, temperature changes) during normal operation. The air leakage detection device collects and analyzes data from multiple sensors to automatically identify signs of aged deterioration such as pipeline thinning or device degradation, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual nondestructive inspections while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3270251B1Pipeline network diagnosing device
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3270251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3270251B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3270251B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

Provided is a pipeline network diagnosing device in which: a pressure measurement value is stored upon being acquired by a pressure gauge; a pipeline network is divided into sub-networks at the installation positions of an air compressor, a terminal device, and a pressure gauge installed partway along a pipeline channel, after which a sub-network model is generated; the flow of air within a sharing sub-network configured from two sub-networks that share the pressure gauge is calculated and stored, the pressure measurement value at an end part of the sharing sub-network serving as a calculation criterion; the pressure measurement value and a pressure calculation value at a shared pressure measurement point are compared to each other, the shared pressure measurement point being a pressure measurement point shared by the two sub-networks within the sharing sub-network; an assessment is made for each of the sub-networks with regard to whether air has leaked or a device has clogged; and any sub-networks in which air leakage or device clogging is assessed to have occurred are displayed on a display device using the results of the aforementioned assessment.