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EP-4477941-B1 - FLUSHING DEVICE, FLUSHING METHOD, AND FLUSHING SYSTEM

EP4477941B1EP 4477941 B1EP4477941 B1EP 4477941B1EP-4477941-B1

Inventors

  • Becher, Simon
  • Penczek, Torben

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240311

Claims (14)

  1. A purging device (10) for purging a control section (110) of a gas-carrying line (100), the purging device (10) comprising a supply interface (30) for coupling the purging device (10) to the control section (110) and for supplying purge gas (I) into the control section (110), a purge gas interface (40) for coupling a purge gas source (150) to the purging device (10), wherein the supply interface (30) and the purge gas interface (40) are fluidly connected to one another, and a sampling interface (20) for coupling the purging device (10) to the control section (110) and for sampling gas (G) from the control section (110), wherein the purging device (10) further comprises a measuring device (50) downstream of the sampling interface (20) for measuring the gas (G) from the control section (110), wherein the measuring device (50) comprises an evaluation device (58) for evaluating the recorded measured values and/or wherein the measuring device (50) comprises a transmitting and/or receiving device (60) for transmitting and/or receiving the measured and/or evaluated measured values.
  2. Purging device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (50) comprises a pressure measuring device (52) for measuring at least one pressure within the measuring device (50), a concentration measuring device (54) for measuring at least one gas concentration within the measuring device (50) and/or in the vicinity of the measuring device (50), and/or a mass flow measuring device (56) for measuring at least one mass flow within the measuring device (50).
  3. A purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the purge gas interface (40) is coupled to a purge gas source (150) of the purging device (10), in particular wherein the purge gas source (150) is configured as a mobile purge gas source (150) or as a stationary purge gas source (150).
  4. Purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply interface (30) and/or the sampling interface (20) are configured for detachable coupling with the control section (110) and/or that the purge gas interface (40) is configured for detachable coupling with the purge gas source (150).
  5. Purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply interface (30), the sampling interface (20), and/or the purge gas interface (40) comprise at least one shut-off device (14), wherein the at least one shut-off device (14) is capable of being sealed in a fluid-tight manner.
  6. Purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the purging device (10) comprises, downstream of the sampling interface (20) and the measuring device (50), a discharge interface (70) for coupling the purging device (10) to the gas-carrying line (100), in particular downstream of the control section (110), and/or with a purge storage device (72) for discharging the sampled gas (G) from the control section (110).
  7. Purging device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sampling interface (20), the measuring device (50), and/or the discharge interface (70) comprise a filter device (80) for filtering the sampled gas (G) from the control section (110).
  8. Purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sampling interface (20), the supply interface (30), the purge gas interface (40), the measuring device (50), and/or the discharge interface (70) comprise a check valve device (90) for blocking a fluid flow of the gas (G) and/or the purge gas (I) in at least one direction.
  9. A purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the purging device (10) and/or the measuring device (50) comprises an active and/or passive explosion protection device (12).
  10. A purging method (200) for purging a control section (110) of a gas-carrying line (100) using a purging device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, the purging method (200) comprising: - coupling (202) a supply interface (30) of the purging device (10) to a control section (110) of the gas-carrying line (100), - coupling (204) a purge gas interface (40) of the purging device (10) to a purge gas source (150), - coupling (206) a sampling interface (20) of the purging device (10) to a control section (110) of the gas-carrying line (100), - supplying (208) purge gas (I) into the control section (110) through the supply interface (30), - sampling (210) of gas (G) from the control section (110) through the sampling interface (20), - measuring (212) the sampled gas (G) from the control section (110).
  11. Purging method (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that the supply (208) of purge gas (I) into the control section (110) and/or the sampling (210) of gas (G) from the control section (110) takes place in dependence on the measured gas (G) sampled from the control section (110).
  12. A purging system (190) comprising a purging device (10) and a gas-carrying line (100) with a control section (110), characterized in that the purging device (10) is configured according to one of the preceding claims 1 through 9.
  13. Purging system (190) according to claim 12, characterized in that the control section (110) can be sealed fluid-tightly against the gas-carrying line (100) by at least one shut-off device (112) of the gas-carrying line (100), preferably by two shut-off devices (112).
  14. A purging system (190) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the purging system (190) is configured to perform the purging method (200) according to one of the preceding claims 10 or 11.

Description

The present invention relates to a flushing device for flushing a control section of a gas-carrying pipeline. The invention further relates to a flushing method for flushing a control section of a gas-carrying pipeline using a flushing device. The invention also relates to a flushing system comprising a flushing device and a gas-carrying pipeline with a control section. The currently publicly known gas networks comprise a multitude of devices that can be shut off for maintenance, repairs, and/or replacement of components within the gas network. In Germany, the regulations governing the operation of, for example, gas pressure regulating and metering systems are set out in the DVGW (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water) code. In particular, DVGW worksheets G491 and G495 contain specifications that reflect the state of the art and define the necessary work steps. AT 405 442 B discloses a method and an arrangement for removing fuel gases from gas networks. For example, in well-known gas pressure regulating and metering stations, and also in other gas installations with similar emission problems, during functional checks, maintenance work, and/or other tasks, the gas standing at increased pressure in the isolated parts of the system is discharged into the downstream network via a regulator. Once pressure equalization or a minimum residual pressure relative to the downstream network has been established, a rear shut-off valve is usually closed. The remaining gas is then typically released to the atmosphere via vent lines. During this process, the residual gas escapes with Atmospheric pressure in the pipes when opening filters, regulators or other fittings. After the relevant work, such as maintenance, the air in the system components is expelled into the atmosphere via the discharge lines using the regular transport medium by opening a front shut-off element. In this process, indeterminate quantities of the medium usually escape again. It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least partially overcome, the disadvantages described above in the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a purging device that makes purging a control section of a gas-carrying line particularly easy, especially whereby the escape of gas into the atmosphere is reduced and/or prevented. In particular, it is further an object of the invention to provide a purging method for purging a control section of a gas-carrying line by means of a purging device, as well as a purging system comprising a purging device and a gas-carrying line with a control section. The inventive solution helps to reduce emissions of flammable gases from the gas pipeline into the atmosphere, which currently mostly arise from work such as functional checks and/or maintenance work on plant components. The foregoing problem is solved by the claims. In particular, the problem is solved by a flushing device for flushing a control section of a gas-carrying line with the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a flushing method for flushing a control section of a gas-carrying line by means of a flushing device with the features of independent claim 10 and by a flushing system comprising a flushing device and a gas-carrying line with a control section having the features of independent claim 12. Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features described in connection with the rinsing device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the rinsing method according to the invention. the rinsing system according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is always made or can be made. According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a purging device for purging a control section of a gas-carrying line, the purging device comprising a supply interface for coupling the purging device with the control section and for supplying purging gas into the control section, a purging gas interface for coupling a purging gas source with the purging device, wherein the supply interface and the purging gas interface are fluidly connected to each other, and a withdrawal interface for coupling the purging device with the control section and for withdrawing gas from the control section, wherein the purging device further comprises a measuring device downstream of the withdrawal interface for measuring the gas from the control section. Within the scope of the invention, the gas-carrying line is preferably understood to be a natural gas and/or hydrogen line. In practice, the purging device according to the invention is preferably installed after the previously described step of pressure equalization of the control section relative to the gas-carrying line and/or when