US 11,536,276 B2 · Volumetric real time flow engine

Abstract

Method and system for determining the real-time flow into a wastewater pump station using analog level sensing technologies. An Accurate Level Generator mechanism supplies an accurate mean value out of multiple readings for each level used to calculate the volume between levels. Two consecutive levels are used to calculate the volume between them using an Accurate Flow Calculator and the time it took to get from one level to the other. A Real Time Inflow Calculator adds results regarding the pumps in operation and overflow events, which are ways for the water to exit the pumping station. At a water level approaching where the pumps start or stop, or when abnormal events occur, a Predictive Abnormal Event Adjuster replaces the highly probable abnormal Real Time Inflow Result by a more stable and possible value, which is the last one calculated plus its variation over time.

A method for determining a real-time instant volumetric inflow (510) into a wastewater pump station, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a level value from a level sensor (302) at an accurate level generator (300);
b) receiving a time value (304) from a clock;
c) receiving a period of sampling (308);
d) receiving a pump status (306);
e) receiving a period frequency (310);
f) associating the level value (302) with the time value (304) to generate a time-stamped level value (312);
g) storing the time-stamped level value (312) in a raw level memory (314);
h) when an end of the period of sampling (308) is detected by means of a switch (316), then executing an averaging equation (318) on the time-stamped level values (312) to generate a time-stamped average result;
when the time-stamped average result is detected by means of a switch (320) as being from a first set of data, then storing the time-stamped average result in an accurate level memory (322) and naming the time-stamped average result as accurate level 1;
j) storing the pump status (306) in the accurate level memory (322) by means of a recorder (324);
k) erasing the raw level memory (314) by means of a first function (326);
I) if there is an end of the period frequency (310) that is detected by means of a timing function (328), then repeating steps a) to k) or else perform the following steps:
m) if a value that is detected in the accurate level memory (322) by means of the switch (320) is not in the first set of data, then naming the detected value as accurate level 2 by means of a second function (330) and storing the accurate level 2 in the accurate level memory (322);
n) transmitting the accurate level 1 (338), the accurate level 2 (340), a time of level 1 (342), a time of level 2 (344) and pump status (346) to an accurate flow generator (400);
o) erasing accurate level 1 by means of a third function (334);
p) renaming accurate level 2 to accurate level 1 and erasing the raw level memory (314) by means of the first function (326);
q) receiving the accurate level 1 (338), the accurate level 2 (340), the time of level 1 (342), the time of level 2 (344) and the pump status (346) from the accurate level generator (300), as well as an area of a well (404) and a pump flow rate (412), at the accurate flow generator (400);
r) calculating a difference of volume ΔV (402) by the formula:
ΔV=(Accurate Level 2−Accurate Level 1)×Area of the Well
s) if the pump status (346) is off, then calculating the accurate flow (414) with the formula of accurate flow (408):
Accurate
⁢
⁢
Flow
=
Δ
⁢
⁢
Volume
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
2
-
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
1
wherein:
the accurate flow (414) if the pump status (346) is off=ΔV/ΔT,
ΔVolume=ΔV=(Accurate Level 2-Accurate Level 1)×Area of the Well,
ΔT=Time of Level 2-Time of Level 1;
t) if the pump status (346) is on, then calculating the accurate flow (414) with the formula (410):
Accurate
⁢
⁢
Flow
=
Pump
⁢
⁢
Flow
⁢
⁢
Rate
×
(
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
2
-
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
1
)
+
Δ
⁢
⁢
Volume
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
2
-
Time
⁢
⁢
of
⁢
⁢
Level
⁢
⁢
1
wherein:
the accurate flow (414) if the pump status (346) is on=(Pump Flow Rate×ΔT+ΔV)/ΔT
ΔV=(Accurate Level 2-Accurate Level 1)×Area of the Well,
ΔT=Time of Level 2-Time of Level 1,
Pump Flow Rate is the pumping rate of the pump(s) in operation during ΔT;
u) transmitting the calculated accurate flow (414) to a real-time inflow calculator (500);
v) receiving the calculated accurate flow (414) from the accurate flow generator (400), as well as the pump flow rate (412) and overflow (506), at the real-time inflow calculator (500), said accurate flow (414) being a calculated well flow (502) corresponding to the formula (408) or formula (410);
w) calculating an outflow (504) with formula pump flow rate (412)+overflow (506);
and
x) calculating the instant inflow (510) with formula (508):
well flow (502)+outflow (504), whereby the instant inflow (510) is generated in real time.

125 more elements

Volumetric real time flow engine

Life of this patent

Volumetric real time flow engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7