System and method for operating steam systems

A district heating system having at least one heating facility and at least one consuming facility, the system comprising:

• a plurality of conduits fluidly coupling the at least one heating facility with the at least one consuming facility, the plurality of conduits being arranged below ground level;
• a plurality of valves coupled to the plurality of conduits;
• a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of temperature sensors disposed distally from each other;
• a plurality of pressure sensors coupled to the plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of pressure sensors disposed distally from each other;
• a plurality of condensate level sensors coupled to the plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of pressure sensors disposed distally from each other;
• at least one manhole water level sensor arranged adjacent the plurality of conduits;
• at least one steam flow sensor;
• and,
• a controller coupled to communicate with the plurality of temperature sensors, the plurality of pressure sensors, the plurality of condensate sensors the at least one manhole water level sensor and the plurality of valves, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable instructions when executed on the processor for determining a condensate flowing against gravity at a location within the plurality of conduits based at least in part in response to receiving signals from the plurality of temperature sensors, the plurality of pressure sensors, the plurality of condensate sensors, the at least one steam flow sensor, and the at least one manhole water level sensor.

A method of operating a district heating system having at least one heating facility and at least one consuming facility, the method comprising:

• measuring a steam parameter in a first conduit, the first conduit being fluidly coupled at least partially below ground level between the at least one heating facility and the at least one consuming facility;
• transmitting the steam parameter to a steam system engine;
• determining with the steam system engine at least one parameter including steam velocity, condensate rate of generation, condensate flow rate or condensate level, wherein the at least one parameter associated with a condensate in the first conduit;
• determining with a behavior engine that the at least one parameter does not correlate with a physics fluid model;
• determining a condensate will flow against gravity within the first conduit based on determining with the behavior engine that the at least one parameter does not correlate with a physics fluid model;
• and,
• generating a first signal based at least in part on determining the condensate will flow against gravity.