Description

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE OF DREDGING TRANSPORTATION PIPE LINE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the differential pressure among several positions of a dredging transportation pipeline so as to utilize the measured value as a data to enhance dredging efficiency, when dredged soil gathered by a dredging vessel is transported to a treatment site on the ground, and more specifically, to an apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline, of which the size can be considerably reduced and which can perform precise measurement and can be connected to a ubiquitous dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system. Background Art

[2] In dredging the seashore or river bottom, dredged soil (sand, clay, and so on) gathered by a dredging vessel is transported to a treatment site on the ground so as to utilized as materials for reclamation or construction. In such a dredging operation, the performance and dredging output of the dredging vessel are analyzed in real time so as to enhance dredging efficiency. To analyze the performance (pump efficiency) and dredging productivity of the dredging vessel, the radiation density, flow rate, pressure, and differential pressure of the dredged soil need to be measured. The present invention relates to a differential pressure measuring apparatus referred to as "manometer" for measuring the differential pressure of the transportation pipeline.

[3] A typical differential pressure measuring apparatus measures the height of a liquid column (head) pushed upward by pressure based on the Bernoulli equation and calculates pressure corresponding to the head. Such a differential pressure measuring apparatus is formed in a U-pipe shape, a well shape, or an inclined-well shape.

[4] However, it is difficult to apply such a typical differential pressure measuring apparatus to an actual dredging transportation pipeline. Inside the actual dredging transportation pipeline through which dredged soil is transported at high pressure, the transportation pressure of the dredged soil possibly exceed up to a 50 bars. To measure the pressure under the atmospheric pressure, a pillar pipe with a height of tens up to hundreds of meters is necessary. For example, the transportation pressure of dredged soil inside a dredging transportation pipeline approaches about 20 bars. And a head firmed at a height of about 200m, a pillar pipe with a height of more than 200m should be installed. Therefore, the development of a differential pressure measuring apparatus, in which the height of the pillar pipe is considerably reduced, and the head can be read

at a height corresponding to the height of an operator, is the concerned in developing this invention.

[5] However, when bubbles are formed in the fluid which is to be measured by the differential pressure measuring apparatus, and the so-called "sponge effect" occurs, error cannot be avoided. So, when bubbles are formed in the fluid to be measured, a measurement error inevitably occurs, even though the surrounding system is computerized and automated. Therefore, to perform more precise measurement, a method which can reduce bubbles that formed in fluid is needed.

[6] Recently, studies on "ubiquitous dredging monitoring system" for analyzing performance and efficiency for dredging, transportation, and environmental effect in real time have been conducted. Such an ubiquitous dredging monitoring system is referred to as an integrated monitoring system including "dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system" for analyzing the performance (pump efficiency) and dredging output of a dredging vessel in real time, in which "dredging environment monitoring system" and "dredging vessel monitoring system" were included. Therefore, the development of a differential pressure measuring apparatus for the dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system in the dredging monitoring system is needed. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline, in which the size is considerably reduced and can perform precise measurement.

[8] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline which can be connected to a ubiquitous dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system. Technical Solution

[9] According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline comprises one or more measuring units that receive fluids from two arbitrary positions of the dredging transportation pipeline and measure the differential pressure therebetween. Each of the measuring units includes two fluid supply pipes that diverge from two positions of the dredging transportation pipeline so as to supply the fluid within the dredging transportation pipeline; two transparent pillar pipes that are connected to ends of the respective fluid supply pipes where the head of the fluids flowing in from the fluid supply pipes can be checked with the naked eyes; a ruler that is disposed between the transparent pillar pipes such that the head indicated through the transparent pillar pipes can be read

through the scale thereof; an air pressure supply pipe that is connected to the upper ends of the respective transparent pillar pipes and applies counter air pressure onto the fluids flowing into the transparent pillar pipes so as to reduce the head of the fluids such that the height of the transparent pillar pipes can be reduced; a water supply pipe that is connected to the lower ends of the respective transparent pillar pipes and supplies water to the transparent pillar pipes such that the transparent pillar pipes are saturated; an air pressure supply source that provides air pressure to the air pressure supply pipe; and a water supply source that supplies water to the water supply pipe.

[10] As the counter air pressure against the pressure of the fluid of the dredging transportation pipe is applied to the transparent pillar pipes through the air pressure pipe, the height of the transparent pillar pipes can be considerably reduced. And, as the transparent pillar pipes are saturated with the water supplied through the water supply pipe, inclusion of bubbles can be minimized, which makes it possible to perform very precise measurement.

[11] Preferably, the middle portions of the two transparent pillar pipes of the measuring unit are connected to manifolds, and a digital differential pressure sensor unit, which measures the differential pressure between the transparent pillar pipes and displays it as figures, is installed between the manifolds.

[12] Preferably, bypass pipes are installed to diverge from the manifolds in both sides of the digital differential pressure sensor unit, and a control valve, which cancels the differential pressure through the bypass pipes so as to check whether or not abnormalities occur in the digital differential pressure sensor unit, is installed between the bypass pipes.

[13] Preferably, the digital differential pressure sensor unit has a wireless data logger for wireless transmitting, and can transmit the measured value.

[14] Preferably, a communication pipe for connecting the two transparent pillar pipes is installed at the lower ends of the transparent pillar pipes of the measuring unit, and a control valve for controlling the communication pipe is installed.

[15] The apparatus may further include a control panel for controlling and operating the apparatus. The control panel may include a plurality of control switches for collectively controlling one or more control valves among a plurality of control valves which control the respective pipes for each measuring process in accordance with a differential pressure measurement manual.

[16] Among the above-described components, at least the transparent pillar pipes and the ruler should be disposed inside a measuring booth, and the measuring booth may have a transparent window provided on the front surface thereof, through which the transparent pillar pipes and the ruler can be seen with the naked eyes.

[17] Preferably, a control panel for controlling and operating the apparatus is provided in

one side of the measuring booth, and has a plurality of control switches provided thereon, the control switches having a function of collectively controlling one or more control valves among a plurality of control valves which control the respective pipes for each measuring process in accordance with a differential pressure measurement manual.

Advantageous Effects

[18] According to the invention, the height of the transparent pillar pipes can be considerably reduced by such a construction that provides the counter air pressure against the pressure of fluid through the dredging transportation pipe, and the transparent pillar pipes can be built inside a measuring booth with a small size.

[19] Furthermore, the transparent pillar pipes were saturated with water, and fluid is prevented from rapidly flowing in from the dredging transportation pipe. Therefore, bubbles can be prevented from being included in the fluid to be measured, which makes it possible to perform precise measurement. Further, since the digital differential pressure sensor unit is installed in addition to the ruler through which the head is measured with the naked eyes, the measurement can be performed easily and conveniently.

[20] However, since the respective control switches have a control function for each process, it is very convenient to operate the apparatus and to perform measurement.

[21] Furthermore, the apparatus can be easily applied to a ubiquitous dredging monitoring system for analyzing performance and efficiency for dredging, transportation, and environmental effect in real time, which makes it easy to implement the ubiquitous dredging monitoring system. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention.

[23] FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the control functions of operation switches for operating the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention.

[24] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a measuring booth of the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention.

[25] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a control panel of the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention.

[26] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a knowledge-based ubiquitous monitoring system in which the apparatus is connected for measuring differential pressure according to the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[27] Hereafter, an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[28] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention.

[29] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention includes one or more measuring units 100 which receive fluids from two arbitrary positions of the dredging transportation pipeline and then measured the differential pressure therebetween.

[30] Each of the measuring units (100) includes two fluid supply pipes (110), two transparent pillar pipes (120), a ruler (130), an air pressure supply pipe (140), and a water supply pipe (150). Further, an air pressure supply source (145) and a water supply source (155) are provided to supply air pressure and water to the air pressure supply pipe (140) and the water supply pipe (150), respectively.

[31] The fluid supply pipes (110) diverge from two arbitrary positions of the dredging transportation pipeline so as to supply fluid within the dredging transportation pipeline. When three measuring units (100) are installed as shown in FIG. 1, two fluid supply pipes (110) spaced by a small distance are drawn out of three positions spaced by a large distance, respectively, in the dredging transportation pipeline.

[32] The transparent pillar pipes (120) are connected to ends of the respective fluid supply pipes (110) such that the head of the fluid flowing in from the fluid supply pipes (110) can be checked with the naked eyes. The ruler (130) has a scale engraved thereon such that the head indicated through the transparent pillar pipes (120) can be read through the scale. The ruler (130) is disposed between the transparent pillar pipes (120).

[33] The air pressure supply pipe (140) applies air pressure (hereinafter, referred to as

"counter air pressure") from the upper side of the fluid flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120) against the pressure of the fluid flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120). Then, the head of fluid is reduced by the counter air pressure. The counter air pressure is set to be slightly smaller than an expected pressure of the fluid. The height of the transparent pillar pipes (120) can be significantly reduced by the application of the counter air pressure. Typically, the height of the transparent pillar pipes can be reduced from 200 m to about 2 m. The air pressure supply pipe (140) extends toward the respective measuring units (100) so as to be connected to the upper ends of the respective transparent pillar pipes (120). The air pressure supply source (145) supplies air pressure to the air pressure supply pipe (140). As for the air pressure supply source (145), nitrogen gas, air, and so on can be used.

[34] The water supply pipe (150) is connected to the lower ends of the two transparent pillar pipes (120) of each of the measuring units (100) so as to supply water to the

transparent pillar pipes (120) such that the transparent pillar pipes (120) can be saturated. The water supply source (155) supplies water to the water supply pipe (150), and the water supplied to the water supply pipe (150) is supplied to the transparent pillar pipes (120). The water supply source (155) may be a water tank and may include a pump M.

[35] The water is supplied to the transparent pillar pipes (120) in order to fill the transparent pillar pipes (120) previously with the water so as to saturate it, before the fluid to be measured flows into the transparent pillar pipes (120). In this specification, "saturation" means "removing bubbles." Sand or clay included in the fluid flowing into a dredging transportation pipeline is filtered, but the fluid contains a large quantity of bubbles which serve as an obstacle to measuring pressure with precision. Further, when the fluid flowing in from the dredging transportation pipeline is discharged into the transparent pillar pipes (120) at high pressure, bubbles occur due to a swirl of the fluid. To prevent or remove such bubbles, the transparent pillar pipes (120) are previously filled with water to such a height that approximates to a previously- calculated head. Then, when fluid is flown to perform measurement in a state where the counter air pressure is applied, it is possible to prevent the fluid from rapidly flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120) or a large amount of fluid from flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120). Therefore, since the occurrence of bubbles is prevented, the measurement can be performed with precision. Further, it is possible to prevent the fluid of the dredging transportation pipe from contaminating or clouding the transparent pillar pipes (120), the fluid inevitably containing various harmful substances which are dirtier than water.

[36] In the apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention, the middle portions of the two transparent pillar pipes (120) installed in each of the measuring units (100) are connected to manifolds (160), and a publicly known digital differential pressure sensor unit (DPI, DP2, or DP3) is installed between the manifolds (160). The digital differential pressure sensor unit measures the differential pressure between the transparent pillar pipes (120) and displays the measured differential pressure as figures. The digital differential pressure sensor unit makes up for the function of the above-described ruler (130) such that a sensor provided therein detects and calculates the pressure to display it as figures, which makes it possible to perform more precise and convenient measurement.

[37] Preferably, the digital differential pressure sensor unit (DPI, DP2, or DP3) includes a wireless data logger (180) for wirelessly transmitting the measured value of the digital differential pressure sensor unit. The wireless data logger (180) serves to wirelessly transmit the measured differential pressure to a central control unit and is used to easily apply the apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of a dredging transportation

pipeline according to the invention to a dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system for analyzing the performance of a dredging vessel or a dredging output in real time in a ubiquitous dredging monitoring system which will be described below.

[38] In the apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention, bypass pipes (170) diverge from both sides of the digital differential pressure sensor unit, and a control valve (W) is installed between the bypass pipes (170). When only the control valve (V7) is opened in a state where the entire circuitry is closed, the pressure difference between the manifolds (160) in both sides of the digital differential pressure sensor unit, that is, the differential pressure is canceled, so that uniform pressure acts from both sides of the digital differential pressure sensor unit. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether or not abnormalities occur in the digital differential pressure sensor unit by checking whether the differential pressure displayed on the digital differential pressure sensor unit falls within a normal value or not.

[39] Further, a communication pipe (190) for connecting the two transparent pillar pipes

(120) is installed at the lower ends of the transparent pillar pipes (120) of the measuring unit (100), and a control valve (V8) is installed in the middle of the communication pipe (190). When water is supplied to the transparent pillar pipes (120) through the water supply pipe (150) such that the transparent pillar pipes (120) are saturated, the control valve (V8) installed in the middle of the communication pipe (190) is opened in such a manner that the transparent pillar pipes (120) communicate with each other. Then, both of the transparent pillar pipes (120) are saturated uniformly.

[40] Among the air pressure supply pipe 140, the fluid supply pipes (110), and the water supply pipe (150), a plurality of control valves (Vl to V 12) for controlling corresponding paths are installed. That is, the control valve (Vl) for controlling a path communicating with the air is installed in one side of the air pressure supply pipe (140), and the control valve (V2) is installed so as to control a main path through which the air pressure is supplied to the respective measuring units (100). The control valves (V3 and V4) are installed so as to control paths through which the air pressure is supplied to the respective transparent pillar pipes (120). Further, the control valves (V9 and V 12) for controlling fluids flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120) are installed in the fluid supply pipes (110), respectively, and the control valves (VlO and Vl 1) for controlling water flowing into the transparent pillar pipes (120) are installed in the water supply pipe (150). Further, a pressure regulator R is installed so as to maintain the pressure of air supplied to the air pressure supply pipes (140) of the respective measuring units (100) constant, and control valves (wl and w2) are installed in the water supply pipe (150) extending from the water supply source (155) to the

respective measuring units (100). In addition, a control valve D for controlling a drain pipe diverging from one side of the water supply pipe (150) may be installed. Further, pressure gauges (Gl to G7) for measuring the internal pressure of the respective pipes may be installed. The control valves are composed of electronic control valves and are opened and closed by operating switches installed on a control panel, which will be described below, in accordance with each differential pressure measuring process.

[41] Now, the differential pressure measuring process using the apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention will be described briefly. First, the transparent pillar pipes (120) are saturated prior to measuring differential pressure. That is, in a state where the control valves (V3 and V4) are opened, the control valves (VlO and Vl 1) are opened to supply water into the transparent pillar pipes (120). As the transparent pillar pipes (120) are filled with the separately-supplied water, not with the fluid of the dredging transportation pipeline, the bubble content is minimized. The water is filled to such a level that is slightly lower than the head which is expected to be formed by the fluid supplied from the dredging transportation pipeline. At this time, the control valve (W) is also opened so as to initialize the digital differential pressure sensor unit. Further, the control valve (V8) is opened to cause the transparent pillar pipes (120) to communicate with each other such that the saturation is performed uniformly.

[42] In this state, the control valves (Vl and V2) of the air pressure supply pipe (140) are opened so as to apply counter air pressure from the upper side of the transparent pillar pipes (120). Subsequently, the control valves (VlO and VI l) for supplying water are closed, and the control valves (V9 and V 12) of the fluid supply pipes (110) are opened sequentially. Then, the fluid flows into the transparent pillar pipes (120) from the fluid supply pipes (110). Subsequently, when the control valve (V8) is closed, the transparent pillar pipes (120) are isolated from each other such that a predetermined head is formed in the respective transparent pillar pipes (120) depending on the fluid pressure thereof. Then, the head is read through the ruler (130).

[43] In this state, when the control valves (V5 and V6) of the manifolds (160) are opened, the digital differential pressure sensor unit (DPI, DP2, or DP3) measures the differential pressure and then displays the measured value. After the measuring of the differential pressure is finished, the control valves (VlO and V 12) and the drain valve D are opened to discharge the water.

[44] FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of operation switches for operating the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention including the above-described control valves and the control functions of the respective operation switches. Each of the operation switches (SWl to SWlO) has a function of collectively controlling one or more control valves for each measuring process in accordance with

a differential pressure measurement manual. Therefore, when any one of the operation switches (SWl to SWlO) is pressed in accordance with a corresponding function, the control valves connected to the operation switch are opened in such a manner that the function imparted to the operation switch is performed. For example, a control function for saturating the transparent pillar pipes (120) may be imparted to the switch (SW3). When the switch (SW3) is pressed, the control valves (V3 and V4) are opened, and simultaneously, the control valves (VlO and VI l) are opened to supply water into the transparent pillar pipes (120), while the other control valves are closed.

[45] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a measuring booth of the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention. The measuring booth 500 may be installed at any one position of a dredging transportation pipeline installed on the ground or at plural positions thereof where occasion demands. In the invention, since the height of the transparent pillar pipes (120) is considerably reduced by the counter air pressure through the air pressure supply pipe (140), the height of the measuring booth 500 is also reduced considerably. As described above, when the height of the transparent pillar pipes (120) is reduced to about 2 m, the measuring booth 500 can be constructed with such a small size that the overall height thereof is about 2.7 m, the side-to-side width thereof is about 60 cm, and the front-to-rear thickness thereof is about 60 cm. As such, since the size of the measuring booth 500 can be considerably reduced, the measurement is performed easily and accurately, and the measuring booth 500 is easy to manage and install.

[46] The measuring booth 500 should have at least the transparent pillar pipes (120) and the ruler (130) built therein. Preferably, the measuring booth 500 includes all the components, excluding the air pressure supply source (145) and the water supply source (145). The measuring booth 500 according to this embodiment includes all the components excluding the air pressure supply source (145) and the water supply source (145). The fluid supply pipes (110) extending from the dredging transportation pipeline are introduced into one side of the measuring booth 500. Further, the measuring booth 500 may have a transparent window (510) provided on the front surface thereof, through which the transparent pillar pipes (120) and the ruler (130) can be seen with the naked eyes.

[47] Further, the measuring booth 500 may have the above-described control panel (520) installed therein. The control panel (520) may have various switches or gauges installed thereon.

[48] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the control panel 520. Preferably, the above-described control switches (SWl to SWlO) are installed on the control panel (520). Further, the control panel (520) may have display sections of the above- described digital differential pressure sensor units (DPI to DP3) installed on one side

thereof and the above-described pressure gauges (Gl to G7) installed on the other side thereof.

[49] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a knowledge-based ubiquitous monitoring system to which the apparatus for measuring differential pressure according to the invention is connected.

[50] As described above, the ubiquitous dredging monitoring system for analyzing performance and efficiency for dredging, transportation, and environmental effect in real time is referred to as an integrated monitoring system including a dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system, in which a dredging environment monitoring system and a dredging vessel monitoring system are included. The ubiquitous dredging monitoring system measures in real time the radiation density, the flow rate, the pressure, the differential pressure, the number of motor rotations, the load, and so on from a dredging vessel, a ground transportation pipeline, or the like and delivers the measured data to the central control unit (10) in a wired or wireless manner in real time. The central control unit (10) can perform various analysis operations and examples for the respective processes, and can generate an alarm. Further, the central control unit (10) can transmit a text message or an alarm to a terminal (20) provided in the field or head office or a personal information terminal such as a personal digital assistant (PDA)( 40) provided to an operator.

[51] In the dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system according to the invention, the data measured by a differential pressure measuring apparatus N or a flow meter P of the dredging transportation pipeline (2) is applied to the central control unit (10) in a wired or wireless manner. Since the data logger (180), which can wirelessly transmit to the central control unit (10) the differential pressure measured by the digital differential pressure sensor units (DPI to DP3), is provided in the invention, the apparatus for measuring differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline can be easily applied to the dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system.

[52] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

[53]

Industrial Applicability

[54] The apparatus for measuring the differential pressure of a dredging transportation pipeline according to the invention can be used in connection with the dredging transportation pipeline monitoring system.