Apparatus and Method for Monitoring a Steam Plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for a steam plant, the apparatus comprising: a receiver ( 14 ) for receiving data from a sensor unit ( 10 ) associated with a component of the steam plant, the sensor unit ( 10 ) being configured to provide an output indicative of the operating condition of the component over a given period; a storage unit ( 16 ) which stores the data received by the receiver ( 14 ); and a trend analysis unit ( 18 ), the trend analysis unit ( 18 ) being configured to retrieve the data from the storage unit ( 16 ) and to process and analyse the data to thereby identify a trend in the operating condition of the component. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of monitoring a steam plant.

1 . A monitoring apparatus for a steam plant, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiver for receiving data from a sensor unit associated with a component of the steam plant, the sensor unit being configured to provide an output indicative of the operating condition of the component over a given period;   a storage unit which stores the data received by the receiver; and   a trend analysis unit, the trend analysis unit being configured to retrieve the data from the storage unit and to process and analyse the data to thereby identify a trend in the operating condition of the component.   
     
     
         2 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fault diagnosis unit which is configured to assess the trend identified by the trend analysis unit and to diagnose a fault experienced by the component.   
     
     
         3 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a fault advisory unit which is configured to provide an advisory message with information on the type of fault, potential causes of the fault and/or how to rectify the fault.   
     
     
         4 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit. 
     
     
         5 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is a wired or wireless receiver. 
     
     
         6 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least the trend analysis unit is located remotely relative to the steam plant. 
     
     
         7 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit and trend analysis unit are located remotely from one another. 
     
     
         8 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trend is time-based. 
     
     
         9 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trend is linked to the operation of the steam plant. 
     
     
         10 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trend relates to estimated steam loss, estimated condensate load and/or measured temperature. 
     
     
         11 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trend is a temporary or transient failure of the component which is experienced only under certain operating conditions of the steam plant. 
     
     
         12 . A monitoring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trend analysis unit is configured to identify a change in the trend following a modification of the steam plant. 
     
     
         13 . A method of monitoring a steam plant, the method comprising:
 receiving data from a sensor unit associated with a component of the steam plant, the sensor unit being configured to provide an output indicative of the operating condition of the component over a given period; and   processing and analysing the data to identify a trend in the operating condition of the component.   
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 diagnosing a fault experienced by the component based on the identified trend.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing instructions on how to rectify the fault.   
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the trend is time-based. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the trend is linked to the operation of the steam plant. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the trend relates to estimated steam loss, estimated condensate load and/or measured temperature 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the trend is a temporary or transient failure of the component which is experienced only under certain operating conditions of the steam plant. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising comparing the identified trend before and after a modification of the steam plant.