Patent Application
20100263736
The present invention relates to a method and a device for injecting an additive into a pipe through which a variable-flow-rate liquid flows, in particular to control the concentration of an emulsifier in a stream of water feeding a sprinkler network.
Sprinkler networks are conventionally used in the context of fire protection of buildings. Such a network 10, as shown in
Water is thereby sprayed into the room where the triggered sprinkler is installed.
The pipe 15 and the water reserve 14 are suitable for supplying water to the set 11 of sprinklers at a variable flow rate and pressure according to the number of sprinklers triggered, the flow rate generally remaining substantially proportionate to the square root of the pressure.
For example, the feed pressure is conventionally between 3 and 10 bar and the flow rate between 400 and 2400 l/min, according to the number of sprinklers triggered, when the pipe has a diameter of 100 mm.
Still conventionally, an emulsifier is injected into the sprayed water by means of a storage and metering unit 20 via an injection system 22, or proportioner inserted on the pipe 15 upstream of the control station 16.
As shown in
The injection system 22, generally a Venturi effect system, serves to inject emulsifier E at a rate commensurate with the flow rate of water passing through it. Thus, as the water flow rate increases due to the increase in the number of triggered sprinklers, the quantity of injected emulsifier increases. The emulsifier concentration in the water sprayed by the sprinklers is thus substantially constant.
The flexible bag 26 may however be perforated, in particular by aging or friction against the weld burrs or on the vents of the container 24, in particular under the effect of water hammer. This problem is particularly serious because a leak is not easily detectible and affects the operation of the unit 20.
Furthermore, the bag 26 must be reconditioned after use, implying the action of a specialist and long-term maintenance out of service.
A need therefore exists for a method and a device for solving one or more of the abovementioned problems.
It is the object of the invention to satisfy this need.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a storage and metering device for injecting an additive into a pipe through which a variable-flow-rate liquid flows, the device comprising
Thus, the pressure of the injected additive, for example an emulsifier, is no longer obtained by the pressure of the liquid flowing in the pipe, for example water, on a flexible bag containing this additive, but by the pressure of a pressurization fluid pressurizing a container containing said additive. Advantageously, the flexible bag of the storage and metering units of the prior art can therefore be eliminated. The reliability is thereby increased and maintenance is simplified.
After connection to the pipe, preferably upstream of the additive injection point, the pressure at the control inlet, or control pressure, is substantially equal to the liquid pressure at the connection point. Preferably, the controller is arranged so that the pressurization pressure is substantially equal to the control pressure. The additive pressure upstream of the injection point, substantially equal to the pressurization pressure, is therefore substantially equal to the liquid pressure upstream of the injection point, thereby enabling the additive injection flow rate to vary with the liquid flow rate in the pipe preferably so as to remain substantially proportional to said liquid flow rate.
In a more general embodiment, the controller is arranged so that the pressurization pressure is substantially equal to a pressure setpoint equal to the control pressure modified by an offset pressure. Preferably, the controller is arranged to allow an adjustment, for example manual, of the offset pressure to a value that is preferably constant over time. Advantageously, it is thereby possible to take account of the nature, and in particular the viscosity, of the additive. This adaptation is advantageously rapid and independent of the injection system used at the injection point.
Still preferably, the controller comprises means for controlling the pressurization pressure in order to minimize the difference between the control pressure or the pressure setpoint and a pressure of the additive measured upstream of the injection point in the pipe, in particular in an additive line connecting the additive outlet of the container and said pipe, preferably immediately next to the injection point. For this purpose, the controller may comprise a return inlet connected to the additive line close to the injection point, and comparison means for evaluating the difference between the control pressure or the pressure setpoint and the pressure at the return inlet, the controller modifying the pressurization pressure so as to minimize this difference.
Still preferably, the controller is a mechanical controller, involving no electrical or electronic member. The reliability of the device is further improved.
The use of a controller comprising a micro-controller is however also feasible.
Preferably, the storage and metering device of the invention comprises an injection system at the injection point in the pipe. The injection system may be connected to said container outlet via an additive line and be inserted into the pipe in order to inject said additive therein. This injection system may in particular be an automatic proportioner, that is purely mechanical. The injection system may in particular comprise means for accelerating the additive streams and the liquid passing through it. For example, it may comprise first and second diaphragms reducing the flow passages of said liquid and of said additive, respectively.
In one embodiment, the injection system is arranged so that when the pressures of said liquid and of said additive upstream of said injection system are substantially equal, the injected additive flow rate is substantially proportional to the liquid flow rate in said pipe.
The storage and metering device according to the invention may further comprise a shutoff valve for selectively closing or opening the communication between the pressurization fluid inlet of the controller and the pressurization fluid source.
Preferably, the shutoff valve is controlled, for example according to a flow rate or a pressure, to open in case of liquid flow in the pipe or in case of variation of a liquid pressure in this pipe.
In an application to a sprinkler network, the shutoff valve may be controlled in order to open in case of detection, for example by a control station, of a negative pressure or water flow in the network corresponding to the triggering of a sprinkler. Outside the additive injection phases, the controller and the container may thus not be maintained under pressure thereby advantageously limiting the risks of leakage and the maintenance costs.
Still more preferably, the storage and metering device according to the invention comprises a valve integrated in the upper portion of the container wall, said valve being opened when the gas pressure PG in the container exceeds an opening pressure Po equal to the sum of the liquid pressure PW in the pipe and a pressure differential ΔP, and closed when the gas pressure PG in the container is lower than the opening pressure Po.
Advantageously, this valve allows a rapid adjustment of the additive injection rate in case of a sudden decrease in the liquid pressure PW. Such a decrease in the liquid pressure in the pipe therefore does not cause a durable increase in the additive concentration in the liquid downstream of the injection point.
The additive contained in the container may be selected from the group formed by an emulsifier, a wastewater treatment product, a pool water treatment product and a phytosanitary product.
The invention also relates to a device for feeding a liquid containing an additive, this device comprising:
This feed device may comprise a source of pressurized pressurization fluid connected to the pressurization fluid inlet of the controller, the pressurization fluid being a gaseous or non-gaseous fluid. The pressurization fluid source may, for example, be selected from a compressed gas network, a pressurized cylinder or a compressor. The gas may be nitrogen in particular.
The pipe may be a pipe of a fire protection and fighting system, in particular of a system feeding at least one sprinkler, a pipe of a wastewater or pool water treatment installation or a farm sprinkler pipe.
In one embodiment, the storage and metering device, or the feed device, according to the invention, has a size and weight allowing its mounting on board a motor, air or floating vehicle, for example a car or a truck, or is transportable by a person, for example on the back or by hand. In particular for cases in which the storage and metering device, or feed device is intended to be mounted or to be carried by a person, the additive container and/or liquid source may be a container having a capacity lower than 50 liters, or even lower than 20 liters. The liquid source may also consist of a supply network, for example the public water mains.
The invention further relates to a method for controlling the concentration of an additive in a liquid flowing in a pipe at a variable flow (over time) rate, said method comprising an injection at an injection point on said pipe, of said additive at a variable flow rate according to the difference in pressures of the liquid and of the additive upstream of the injection point. According to the invention said additive pressure is modified by modifying the pressure of a pressurization fluid of a container containing said additive and communicating fluidly with said injection point.
The pressure of the pressurization fluid can be determined according to:
In a particular embodiment, the pressurization pressure can be modified according to a difference between the additive pressure upstream of the injection point and the liquid pressure in the pipe upstream of the injection point, optionally modified by the offset pressure so as to minimize this difference. Advantageously, this feature serves in particular to compensate for a variation in the additive pressure between the container and the injection point.
The invention relates further to a method for renovating a storage and metering unit for injecting an additive into a pipe through which a liquid flows, the unit comprising
According to the invention this method comprises the following steps:
Advantageously, this method serves to re-use a portion of the parts and connections of a metering and injection device or a feed device of the prior art, in particular like the one described in the introduction.
In one embodiment, in step b), the pressurization fluid inlet of the differential pressure controller is connected to a pressurization fluid source, and the pressurization fluid outlet of this controller is connected to a container inlet, preferably in the upper part of the container.
If necessary, a controller return inlet is connected to the additive line, preferably close to the injection system.
Finally, the control inlet of the controller is connected to the pipe, preferably upstream of the injection point. The other orifices causing the container to communicate with the exterior are closed, at least temporarily. After step b), the container is filled, at least partly, with additive. The controller is then capable of modifying the pressurization pressure of the container according to a control pressure corresponding substantially to the liquid pressure in the pipe.
If necessary, the renovation method comprises a step of adjusting an offset pressure of the controller, for example according to the type of additive, and in particular its viscosity, this offset pressure, positive or negative, being added to the control pressure to modify the pressure setpoint of the controller.
In the storage and metering device according to the invention, as in the control method according to the invention, the pressurization fluid may be a gaseous fluid or a non-gaseous fluid, preferably immiscible with the additive. Advantageously, the pressurization of the container with a non-gaseous fluid, that is an incompressible fluid, does not cause a substantial increase in the internal energy of the device according to the invention. The use of incompressible pressurization fluids also advantageously serves to limit the regulatory technical inspections, and in particular to avoid the trials to which containers pressurized with a gas are subjected. If the additive is aqueous, the pressurization fluid may advantageously be hydrophobic. Silicone or a fluorinated solution are feasible for example.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from a reading of the detailed description that follows and the examination of the appended drawing in which:
In the description that follows, identical reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar members.
In
The device 50 comprises a container 53 containing emulsifier E, a differential pressure controller 54 and an injection system 22 for injecting emulsifier E from the container 53 into the pipe 15.
The container 53 may be identical to the container 24 of the storage and metering units in the prior art (
An additive outlet 56 of the container 53 is connected to the injection system 22 via an additive line 30. The additive line 30 extends into the container 53 by an immersion tube 58 extending substantially to the bottom 60 of the container in order to extract the emulsifier E contained in the lower portion of the container 53.
The differential pressure controller 54 is connected
The type of pressurized gas supplied by the gas source 71 is not limiting. In particular, this gas may be carbon dioxide, nitrogen or compressed air. Preferably, the gas is selected to be insoluble in water. Nitrogen is preferred of all gases.
In one embodiment, the controller 54 is arranged so as to servocontrol the pressurization pressure PG of the gas G at the gas outlet 74 to the control pressure Pp at the control inlet 78, the control pressure Pp being substantially equal to the pressure Pw of the water flowing in the pipe 15. The pressure P′G in the gas source 71 must therefore be higher than the pressure Pw in the pipe 15.
In another more general embodiment, the pressure PG at the gas outlet 74 is equal to a pressure setpoint PC equal to the sum of the control pressure Pp and a differential that is constant over time, or offset pressure δ, preferably modifiable manually, positive or negative. Advantageously, the storage and metering device according to the invention can adapt easily to a change in viscosity of the additive, by a simple adjustment of the offset pressure δ. The pressure P′G in the gas source 71 must then be higher than the pressure setpoint PC.
Preferably, the controller 54 comprises a return inlet 80, connected, via a return line 81, to the additive line 30, preferably close to the injection system 22, and means for controlling the pressurization pressure to minimize the difference between the return inlet pressure 80 and the control pressure or the pressure setpoint.
Preferably, the controller 54 operates without an external power input.
In the embodiment shown, a shutoff valve 82 is inserted into the gas feed line 72. The shutoff valve 82 is controlled by the water pressure Pw in the pipe 15. For this purpose, it has an inlet connected, via a control line 84, to the water pipe 15. As an alternative, the shutoff valve 82 may be opened by hand or be controlled by an electronic or pyrotechnical servercontrol. Preferably, it opens automatically if the pressure drops in the pipe 15 or if water flows therein. Still more preferably, it is arranged to close automatically when none of these two conditions are satisfied. Advantageously, a leak downstream of the valve 82 therefore does not cause a drainage of the gas source 71.
The injection system 22 may be a conventional venturi effect injection system. In this case, without external power input, it allows the injection of emulsifier E into the pipe 15 at a flow rate that depends on the pressure PE of the emulsifier in the additive line 30. The injection system 22 may in particular be arranged to provide an emulsifier injection flow rate substantially proportionate to the square root of the pressure PE. The proportionality constant depends in particular on the diameter of the pipe, the pressure drops, etc.
Preferably, the device according to the invention further comprises a nonreturn valve 110 preventing the return of water flowing in the pipe 15 to the emulsifier container 53.
Preferably, the device according to the invention also comprises a valve 112 inserted into the wall of the container 53 at a level enabling it to remain in contact with the gas in the container 53. The valve 112 is connected, via a control line 114 to the pipe 15. The valve 112 is configured to be closed or opened according to whether the pressure PG of the gas in the container 53 is lower or higher, respectively than an opening pressure Po equal to the sum of the pressure PW of the liquid in the pipe 15 and a pressure differential ΔP defined by the user, for example equal to 1 bar.
In case of a sudden drop in pressure PW in the pipe 15, for example due to the use of a fire hose, the valve 112 detects that the difference between the pressures PG and PW exceeds the predefined differential ΔP. The valve then opens, allowing gas contained in the container 53 to escape to the exterior. The pressure PG in the container then decreases very rapidly, allowing a virtually immediate adjustment of the emulsifier pressure PE and thereby avoiding an excessive injection of additive into the liquid of pipe 15.
When the gas pressure PG in the container 53 reaches the opening pressure Po PW+ΔP, the valve closes and the control process continues normally.
The valve 112 thereby allows a rapid decrease in the pressure PG in case of a sudden drop in the pressure PW. In the absence of such a valve, the pressure PG could only decrease by removing additive via the additive line 30. The decrease in the pressure PG would therefore take considerable time and cause an excessive and durable injection of additive into the liquid flowing in the pipe 15.
The operation of the storage and metering device described above is as follows:
In case of fire, the temperature near the sprinklers 12 increases until one or more fusible elements melts. This causes a depressurization downstream of the control station 16. The latter then orders a communication of the sprinklers 12 with the water source 14 and the starting of the pump 18. The pipe 15 is then pressurized, causing the shutoff valve 82 to open.
The controller 54 then modifies the pressurization pressure PG of the container 53 so that it is substantially equal to the pressure setpoint PC, equal to the sum of the control pressure Pp, in this case substantially equal to the pressure PW of the water in the pipe 15, and the offset pressure δ. The gas source 71 at a pressure P′G supplies the gas required for this pressurization.
The pressure P′E of the emulsifier E at the interface with the gas G is then equal to the pressure PG. This pressure pushes the emulsifier E into the immersion tube 58, the additive line 30, the nonreturn valve 110 and the injection 22 system. The pressure PE of the emulsifier at the inlet of the injection system 22 is then substantially equal to the pressure PW of the water at the inlet of this device, possibly offset by the offset pressure δ.
When the pressure PW in the pipe 15 changes, particularly due to a change in the number of sprinklers triggered, the controller 54 accordingly instantaneously modifies the pressurization pressure PG of the container 53, without external power input. The emulsifier pressure PE upstream of the injection system 22 therefore always remains substantially equal to the pressure PW, possibly offset by the offset pressure δ, regardless of the change in pressure or water flow rate in the pipe 15, thus guaranteeing an emulsifier concentration “c” that is substantially constant in the water+emulsifier (W+E) mixture sprayed by the sprinklers.
Furthermore, the pressure at the return inlet 80 enables the controller to compare the pressure setpoint PC (=PP+δ) and PE, and, in case of nonzero difference, accordingly to modify PG to decrease this difference. The quality of the control is thereby improved. In particular, this control serves to take account of the pressure differential resulting from the difference in height “h” between the level of the emulsifier in the container and the “emulsifier” diaphragm 100, the pressure drops between the outlet of the container 53 and the “emulsifier” diaphragm 100 and, for low flow rates in particular, a possible pressure differential inherent in the controller, for example 0.1 bar, between the pressurization pressure PG at the controller outlet and the pressure setpoint PC.
Furthermore, the adjustment of the offset pressure makes it possible, if necessary, to maintain a difference between the additive and liquid pressures upstream of the injection system. Advantageously, the offset pressure thus allows an adaptation to a new emulsifier without altering the injection system, and in particular without replacing the diaphragm.
As shown in
As it now clearly appears, the invention provides a reliable and inexpensive solution. This solution has the advantage of simplicity, since no flexible bag or external power input is indispensable. The absence of a flexible bag also makes reconditioning much simpler.
Advantageously, the storage and metering device according to the invention can be fabricated by renovating a storage and metering device of the prior art. For this purpose, the operator detaches and removes the bag from the container. He then modifies the inlets and outlets thereof so that the container is a sealed chamber having an outlet 56 allowing the transfer of emulsifier contained in the container 53 to the injection system 22, and a gas inlet 75 arranged preferably in the upper part of the container and allowing the pressurization of the emulsifier.
For this purpose, the operator installs a differential pressure controller of which he connects a gas inlet 70 to a gas source 71, a gas outlet 74 to the inlet 75 of the container 53 and a control inlet 78 to the pipe 15.
The renovation method according to the invention thereby advantageously serves to re-use the injection system of the storage and metering device already in place, and also the container which contained the flexible bag. The production and installation costs are thereby substantially reduced.
Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown.
In particular, if the storage and metering device according to the invention can be used in the context of a fire protection device, the additive being an emulsifier in particular, it can also be used in other applications, and particularly for the treatment of wastewater or pool water, or in agricultural applications, for example to spray dilute phytosanitary products. The additive is then a product for treating wastewater or pool water or a phytosanitary product.
The expression “comprising a” must be understood here as being synonymous with “comprising at least a” unless otherwise specified.
Furthermore, the immersion tube is optional. For example, the additive outlet 56 can be placed at the bottom of the container. Preferably, this outlet is then equipped with a valve, for example a ball valve, for closing the additive line when all the emulsifier has been consumed. Advantageously, any injection of gas into the pipe is thereby prevented.
The valve may for example be controlled by means of a float floating in the container on the surface of the additive. The control inlet could also be connected downstream of the additive injection point.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 56422 | Jul 2007 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FR08/51288 | 7/10/2008 | WO | 00 | 6/23/2010 |
