Plant for controlling delivery of pressurized fluid in a conduit, and a method of controlling a prime mover

Abstract

A plant for delivering a fluid in a conduit ( 10 ) comprises a prime mover ( 2 ), for example a gas turbine, which is configured to drive one or more fluid delivery systems ( 34 a - c, 35 a 1 - c 1, 35 a 2 - c 2 ) for delivering a fluid in the conduit ( 10 ). A first sensor ( 16 ) is configured for sensing pressure variations in the pipe ( 10 ) and is connected to a first controller ( 7 ). The first controller ( 7 ) is configured to provide control signals to control valves ( 36 a - c, 37 a - c ) for at least one fluid delivery system and to a control system ( 4, 3 ) for the prime mover ( 2 ). One or more hydraulic pumps ( 9 a - c ) are configured to operate the fluid delivery systems and are driven by the prime mover, whereby interaction between the hydraulic pumps and the prime mover is controlled based on sensed pressure in the pipe ( 10 ).

1 . A method of controlling a plant for delivering a pressurized fluid in a conduit, the plant comprising: a prime mover configured to supply torque to one or more hydraulic pumps, each hydraulic pump being configured to supply hydraulic pressure to a respective positive displacement fluid delivery system via a respective control valve, each positive displacement fluid delivery system being configured to deliver the pressurized fluid in the conduit; a first sensor configured for sensing pressure variations in the conduit; and a first controller in data communication with the first sensor, the first controller being configured to provide control signals to the control valve for at least one of the fluid delivery systems and to a control system for the prime mover; the method comprising:
 sensing pressure variations in the pressurized fluid in the conduit; and   based on the sensed pressure variations:   (a) controlling at least one of the positive displacement fluid delivery systems; and   (b) controlling power output of the prime mover.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an estimated power consumption. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein controlling power output of the prime mover comprises controlling a fuel supply of the prime mover. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising controlling the at least one positive displacement fluid delivery system based on a set-point, the set-point being identified and set by an operator or an overall control system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the first controller providing control signals to the one or more hydraulic pumps; and   controlling interaction between the hydraulic pumps and the prime mover based on sensed pressure variations in the conduit.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control valve for at least one of the fluid delivery systems is a plurality of control valves. 
     
     
         7 . A plant for controlling delivery of a pressurized fluid in a conduit, the plant comprising:
 a prime mover configured to supply torque to one or more hydraulic pumps, each hydraulic pump being configured to supply hydraulic pressure to a respective positive displacement fluid delivery system via a respective control valve, each positive displacement fluid delivery system being configured to deliver the pressurized fluid in the conduit;   a first sensor configured for sensing pressure variations in the conduit; and   a first controller in data communication with the first sensor, the first controller being configured to provide control signals to the control valve for at least one of the fluid delivery systems and to a control system for the prime mover.   
     
     
         8 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the one or more hydraulic pumps are each configured to communicate with a hydraulic pump controller and a valve controller and to operate the fluid delivery systems;   the one or more hydraulic pumps are each driven by the prime mover; and   interaction between the one or more hydraulic pumps and the prime mover is controlled based on sensed pressure variations in the conduit.   
     
     
         9 . The plant of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 valve outlet feedback pressure sensors connected to respective control valves; and   a valve inlet pressure sensor connected to a respective control valve.   
     
     
         10 . The plant of  claim 9 , wherein the first valve controller is configured for:
 receiving signals from the first sensor, the valve outlet feedback pressure sensors, and the valve inlet pressure sensor;   receiving position feedback from the positive displacement fluid delivery systems; and   providing the control signals to the control valves.   
     
     
         11 . The plant of  claim 10 , wherein the prime mover is a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
         12 . The plant of  claim 11 , further comprising a gear unit arranged between the gas turbine engine and the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         13 . The plant of  claim 10 , wherein the prime mover is a reciprocating engine. 
     
     
         14 . The plant of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the positive displacement fluid delivery systems comprises a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         15 . The plant of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one trailer; the prime mover, each hydraulic pump, and each positive displacement fluid delivery system being positioned on the at least one trailer. 
     
     
         16 . The plant of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 valve outlet feedback pressure sensors connected to respective control valves; and   a valve inlet pressure sensor connected to a respective control valve.   
     
     
         17 . The plant of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a respective valve outlet feedback pressure sensor connected to each control valve; and   a valve inlet pressure sensor connected to a respective control valve.   
     
     
         18 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein the prime mover is selected from the group consisting of: a gas turbine engine, a reciprocating engine, and an electric motor. 
     
     
         19 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the positive displacement fluid delivery systems comprises a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         20 . The plant of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one trailer; the prime mover, each hydraulic pump, and each positive displacement fluid delivery system being positioned on the at least one trailer. 
     
     
         21 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein the control valve for at least one of the fluid delivery systems is a plurality of control valves.