WO2022038402A1

WO2022038402A1 - A bypass flowmeter and a method for flowrate measurement through sloped pipelines and penstocks

Info

Publication number: WO2022038402A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/059363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Krishnaswamy Kumar; Tarun Kumar Swain; Tomesh Kumar Sahu; Jyothi Prakash Arkadu; Yash Harshvardhan Tichkule
Original assignee: Krishnaswamy Kumar
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2020-10-06
Publication date: 2022-02-24

Abstract

A bypass flowmeter apparatus for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock is provided. The bypass flowmeter apparatus includes a bypass pipeline mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline. The bypass pipeline includes a flowmeter configured to measure the flowrate of fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline, thereby computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline using primary method(s) or secondary method(s). The bypass pipeline also includes a control valve mechanically coupled to the flowmeter. The control valve is configured to maintain an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline. The bypass flowmeter apparatus also includes a programable logic controller operatively coupled to the control valve. The programmable logic controller is configured to operate the control valve based on a pre-defined set of instructions defined by a user.

Description

A BYPASS FLOWMETER AND A METHOD FOR FLOWRATE

MEASUREMENT THROUGH SLOPED PIPELINES AND PENSTOCKS

This International Application claims priority from a complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202021035700, filed on August 19, 2020 and titled “A BYPASS FLOWMETER AND A METHOD FOR FLOWRATE MEASUREMENT THROUGH SLOPED PIPELINES AND PENSTOCKS”

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present invention relate to measuring a flowrate of fluid in small pipes and large pipes, and more particularly, to a bypass flometer apparatus and a method for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock.

BACKGROUND

In the conventional approach of flowrate measurement of fluid flowing through a pipeline, the flowrate is measured by installing the flowmeter accorcing to its application with the pipeline. Further, measuring the flowrate is also important because it finds application in multiple sectors such as a supply of cooling water for thermal and atomic power stations, lift irrigation, city water supply, inter-basin transfer of water, pump storage plants, inter-state water distribution, and the like. Also, the performance and reliability of flow meters are only achievable when uniform velocity distribution exists at flow measuring section. However, the piping configurations and fittings generate various flow distortions due to bends, valve, change in pipe cross-sections, slope, and the like.

Further, when the pipe is underground, then also it becomes difficult to measure the flowrate. There are multiple approaches to overcome such drawbacks. One such approach includes connecting a bypass pipeline to the main pipeline and installing the flowmeter in the bypass pipeline. There is a plurality of types of flowmeters such as, but not limited to, Coriolis meters, differential pressure meters, magnetic meters, multiphase meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic meters, vortex meters, and the like. However, such flowmeters when used to measure the flowrate of the fluid flowing through a straight pipeline give proper results but fails and give improper flow measurement results when used with the sloped pipeline and penstocks of hydro plants which are generally sloped due to the low pressure drop across the inclined pipelines.

Hence, there is a need for an improved bypass flowmeter apparatus and a method for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock which addresses the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a bypass flowmeter apparatus for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock is provided. The bypass flowmeter apparatus includes a bypass pipeline mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline. The bypass pipeline includes a flowmeter configured to measure the flowrate of fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline, thereby computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods. The bypass pipeline also includes a control valve mechanically coupled to the flowmeter. The control valve is configured to maintain an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline. The bypass pipeline is configured with an upstream straight length and a downstream straight length in accordance to standards of the flowmeter. The apparatus also includes a programable logic controller operatively coupled to the control valve. The programmable logic controller is configured to operate the control valve based on a pre-defined set of instructions defined by a user.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock is provided. The method includes measuring the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline, wherein the bypass pipeline is mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline , and configured with an upstream straight length and a downstream straight length in accordance to standards of the flowmeter. The method also includes computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods. Further, the method also includes maintaining an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline. The method also includes operating the control valve. To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bypass flowmeter apparatus for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart representing steps involved in a method for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAIEED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a bypass flowmeter apparatus for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock. As used herein, the term “sloped pipeline” corresponds to the main pipeline through which the fluid is flowing. Further, determining the flowrate with which the fluid is flowing through the main pipeline is an important task in multiple sectors such as, but not limited to supply of cooling water for thermal and atomic power stations, lift irrigation, penstocks of hydropower plants, city water supply, inter-basin transfer of water, pump storage plants, inter-state water distribution, and the like. A flowmeter as described herein is defined as a device used to measure the flowrate of fluids such as a gas or a liquid flowing through pipelines. There is a plurality of types of flowmeters such as, but not limited to, Coriolis meters, differential pressure meters, magnetic meters, multiphase meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic meters, vortex meters, and the like. Such flowmeters may be used to measure the flowrate of the fluid flowing through a straight pipeline and gives improper flow measurement results when used with the sloped pipeline. The bypass flowmeter apparatus described hereafter in FIG. 1 is used to measure the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the penstock to obtain the flow measurement results with much better accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline (20) and a penstock in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the sloped pipeline (20) includes a slope with a pre-defined angle of inclination. In such embodiment, the predefined angle of the slope of the sloped pipeline (20) depends on requirements of one or more typical practical site conditions. The one or more typical practical site conditions may include penstocks of hydropower plants, piping systems of process industries, lift irrigation systems, and the like.

The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) includes a bypass pipeline (30) mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline (20). Thus, the flow of fluid may be partitioned between the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30). In one embodiment, the fluid includes water, gas, a plurality of petroleum products, or the like. The partition of the fluid between the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) may happen based on principles of fluid mechanics such as conservation of energy and conservation of mass. The bypass pipeline (30) includes a flowmeter (40) configured to measure the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline (30), thereby computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods. The bypass pipeline (30) is configured with an upstream straight length (44) and a downstream straight length (48) in accordance to standards of the flowmeter (40). In one embodiment, computing the cumulative flowrate includes computing the cumulative flowrate to identify a relationship between the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30).

In one embodiment, in case of small piping configurations, the cumulative flowrate is measurted using the one or more primary methods such as, but not limited to, volumetric methods, gravimeric methods, and the like. In one embodiment, in case of large pipelines and the penstocks of hydro turbines, the cumulative flow is measured during performance and acceptance testing using the one or more primary methods or the one or more secondary methods. In such emboidemnt, the one or more secondary methods include like ultrasonic clamp on type flowmeters, insertion flowmeters, and the like.

The bypass pipeline (30) also includes a control valve (50) mechanically coupled to the flowmeter (40). As used herein, the term “control valve” is defined as a valve used to control fluid flow by varying the size of the flow passage as directed by a signal from a controller. The control valve (50) is configured to maintain an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) with respect to the flow. As used herein, the differential pressure is used to measure a head loss in the flow of the fluid through the pipes where the pressure tappings are provided. In one embodiment, the head loss of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) is measured by a high-precision digital differential pressure transmitter. In one embodiment, the control valve (50) is configured to maintain the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) when the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline (30) is different from the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline (20).

The control valve (50) may be an automatic control valve. The automatic control valve may include three main parts such as a valve actuator, a valve positioner or a valve controller, and a valve body. The valve controller may include a programable logic controller (PLC). The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) also includes the PLC (not shown in FIG. 1) operatively coupled to the control valve (50). The PLC is configured to operate the control valve (50) based on a pre-defined set of instructions defined by a user. Thus, the control valve (50) may be configured to maintain the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) using the PLC. In one exemplary embodiment, the operation of the control valve (50) includes one of opening, closing, or controlling of the control valve (50).

FIG. 2 is a flow chart representing steps involved in a method (60) for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (60) includes measuring the flowrate of the fluid flowing through a bypass pipeline, wherein the bypass pipeline is mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline, and configured with an upstream straight length and a downstream straight length in accordance to standards of the flowmeter in step 70. In one embodiment, measuring the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline includes measuring the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline by a flowmeter of the bypass pipeline.

The method (60) also includes computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods in step 80. In one embodiment, computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline includes computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline by the flowmeter of the bypass pipeline. In such embodiment, computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline includes computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline for identifying a relationship between the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline.

Furthermore, the method (60) includes maintaining an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline with respect to the flow in step 90. In one embodiment, maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline includes maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline by a control valve of the bypass pipeline. In such embodiment, maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline includes maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline when the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline is different from the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline.

Furthermore, the method (60) also includes operating the control valve in step 100. In one embodiment, operating the control valve includes operating the control valve by a programable logic controller. In one exemplary embodiment, operating the control valve includes one of opening, closing, and controlling of the control valve

Various embodiments of the present discloser enable the apparatus for the flowrate measurement of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline to measure the flowrate with improvised accuracy as the control valve is operated by the PLC. Also, usage of the PLC to operate the control valve reduces installation cost as very less mechanical equipment are required to install such a controller in association with the control valve. Further, a bypass arrangement of the flowmeter and the method used for the flowrate measurement is useful in overcoming site constraints, operational difficulties encountered in the process industries, and the hydropower plants, thereby making the usage of the apparatus more reliable and more efficient.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

I/WE CLAIM:

1. A bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline (20) and a penstock comprising: a bypass pipeline (30) mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline (20), wherein the bypass pipeline (30) comprises: a flowmeter (40) configured to measure the flowrate of fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline (30), thereby computing a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods; and a control valve (50) mechanically coupled to the flowmeter (40), wherein the control valve (50) is configured to maintain an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) with respect to the flow, wherein the bypass pipeline (30) is configured with an upstream straight length (44) and a downstream straight length (48) in accordance to standards of the flowmeter (40); and a programable logic controller operatively coupled to the control valve (50), wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to operate the control valve (50) based on a pre-defined set of instructions defined by a user.

2. The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sloped pipeline (20) comprises a slope with a pre-defined angle of inclination.

3. The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises water, gas, and a plurality of petroleum products.

4. The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein computing the cumulative flowrate comprises computing the cumulative flowrate to identify a relationship between the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30).

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5. The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve (50) is configured to maintain the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline (20) and the bypass pipeline (30) when the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline (30) is different from the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline (20).

6. The bypass flowmeter apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation of the control valve (50) comprises one of opening, closing, or controlling of the control valve (50).

7. A method (60) for flowrate measurement through a sloped pipeline and a penstock, wherein the method (60) comprises: measuring, by a flowmeter of a bypass pipeline, the flowrate of fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline, wherein the bypass pipeline is mechanically coupled to the sloped pipeline, and configured with an upstream straight length and a downstream straight length in accordance to standards of the flowmeter; (70) computing, by the flowmeter of the bypass pipeline, a cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline using one or more primary methods or one or more secondary methods; (80) maintaining, by a control valve of the bypass pipeline, an equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline with respect to the flow; and (90) operating, by a programable logic controller, the control valve (100).

8. The method (60) as claimed in claim 7, wherein operating the control valve comprises one of opening, closing, and controlling of the control valve.

9. The method (60) as claimed in claim 7, wherein maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline comprises maintaining the equal differential pressure of the fluid across the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline when the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the bypass pipeline is different from the flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline.

10. The method (60) as claimed in claim 7, wherein computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline comprises computing the cumulative flowrate of the fluid flowing through the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline for identifying a relationship between the sloped pipeline and the bypass pipeline.

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