Devices and methods for landfill gas well monitoring and control
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B09B-001/00
E21B-043/12
E21B-044/00
E21B-034/02
출원번호
US-0692223
(2015-04-21)
등록번호
US-10029291
(2018-07-24)
발명자
/ 주소
Fischer, David A.
Mioduszewski, David
출원인 / 주소
Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
35
초록▼
A landfill well control system is disclosed which provides the ability to input a user selected set point to control a flow related variable at a landfill wellhead. A flow control actuator controls movement of a landfill gas (LFG) flow control valve. A sensor may be used for sensing the flow related
A landfill well control system is disclosed which provides the ability to input a user selected set point to control a flow related variable at a landfill wellhead. A flow control actuator controls movement of a landfill gas (LFG) flow control valve. A sensor may be used for sensing the flow related variable. A controller is operably associated with the flow control actuator and the sensor. A user interface has a set selection for enabling a set point associated with the flow related variable, which is to be controlled by the system, to be input by the user. The controller operates to control the LFG flow control valve as needed to maintain the set point in an autopilot-like fashion.
대표청구항▼
1. A landfill gas well control system for use with a wellhead assembly to control a flow of landfill gas from a landfill well, the system comprising: a landfill gas (LFG) wellhead flow control valve operably associated with the wellhead assembly;a flow control actuator operably associated with the w
1. A landfill gas well control system for use with a wellhead assembly to control a flow of landfill gas from a landfill well, the system comprising: a landfill gas (LFG) wellhead flow control valve operably associated with the wellhead assembly;a flow control actuator operably associated with the wellhead assembly for controlling movement of the LFG flow control valve;a sensor operably associated with the wellhead assembly for sensing a flow related variable associated with the landfill gas;a combination unit including a housing and being secured to the wellhead assembly to be supported by the wellhead assembly above a ground surface to enable visual access by an individual, the combination unit including: a controller housed within the housing and operably associated with the flow control actuator and the sensor for controlling the flow of the landfill gas through the wellhead assembly;a user interface present on the housing and including a set selection for enabling a set point associated with the flow related variable, which is to be controlled by the system, to be input to the system by a user;a non-volatile memory housed in the housing and in communication with the controller for storing LFG flow related data collected during operation of the wellhead assembly; andwherein the controller thereafter operates to control the LFG flow control valve as needed, using the stored LFG flow related data, to maintain the set point in an autopilot-like fashion. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless, hand-holdable personal electronic device configured to communicate with the controller, the wireless, hand-holdable device including a software monitoring application having a table, the table having data correlating related to helping a user determine a desired landfill gas output flow rate. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow control actuator comprises an electronically controlled, powered flow control device actuator. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes an alphanumeric keyboard. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a display. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an interface port having at least one of: an RS-232 interface;an RS-422 interface; anda USB interface. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a transducer for sensing at least one of pressure or applied vacuum. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a battery for powering the system. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a short range, wireless, digital transceiver for enabling the controller to communicate with additional wellheads which form a network of independent wellheads at a landfill. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the combination unit of the system is configured to communicate with at least one cloud-based subsystem. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the combination unit communicates with the flow control actuator to control the flow control actuator. 12. A landfill gas well control system for use at a wellhead assembly of a landfill well to control a flow of landfill gas from a landfill well, the system comprising: a landfill gas (LFG) flow control valve operably associated with the wellhead assembly;a discharge pipe operably associated with the wellhead assembly, through which the landfill gas flows;an electrically powered flow control actuator, operably associated with the wellhead assembly, for controlling movement of the LFG flow control valve;a sensor operably associated with the wellhead assembly for sensing a flow related variable;the sensor being located on the discharge pipe so as to have a sensor face thereof located at least one of flush with an internal surface of the discharge pipe or nearly flush with the internal surface;a combination unit having a housing secured to the wellhead assembly, the combination unit being in communication with the electrically powered flow control actuator, the housing of the combination unit being attachable to and supported by the discharge pipe above a ground surface to enable visual access by an individual, and including: a controller in communication with the sensor and the electrically powered flow control actuator;a non-volatile memory in communication with the controller for storing collected LFG flow related data;a user interface in communication with the controller and including a set selection for enabling a set point associated with the flow related variable, which is to be controlled by the system, to be input to the combination unit by a user;a power source for powering the controller and the non-volatile memory; andwherein the controller thereafter operates to control the LFG flow control valve as needed to maintain the set point in an auto pilot-like fashion. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a flow measurement element provided at the LFG flow control valve producing differential pressures proportional to the landfill gas flow (LFG) rate, the differential pressures converted to signals for use by the controller in controlling positioning of the LFG flow control valve and being communicated as needed to the controller to maintain the set point. 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a mobile hand-held personal electronic device operating in wireless communication with the combination unit, the mobile hand-held personal electronic device including stored information which assists the user in determining a flow control valve position to achieve a desired LFG flow rate through the LFG flow control valve. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the combination unit further includes a low power, short range, wireless digital radio for communicating wirelessly with an external subsystem. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the digital radio is used to communicate wirelessly with one or more other additional wellheads in a mesh network of wellheads at the landfill. 17. A method for controlling a flow of a landfill gas (LEG) through a wellhead assembly at a landfill well, the method comprising: arranging a discharge pipe to receive the landfill gas flowing out from the landfill well;securing a combination unit having a housing to the discharge pipe such that the combination unit is supported from the discharge pipe and arranged above a ground surface for visual access by an individual;providing a landfill gas (LFG) flow control valve;using a flow control actuator for controlling movement of the LFG flow control valve;using a sensor for sensing a flow related variable;arranging the sensor on the discharge pipe so as to have a sensor face thereof located at least one of flush with an internal surface of the discharge pipe or nearly flush with the internal surface;using a controller housed within the housing of the combination unit to electronically communicate with the sensor and to control the flow control actuator; using a non-volatile memory housed within the housing to store collected LFG flow related data;using a user interface on the housing, the user interface including a set selection for enabling a set point associated with the flow related variable to be controlled, to be input by a user; andusing the controller to thereafter control the flow control actuator, using the collected LFG flow related data, to in turn control the LFG flow control valve, as needed to maintain the set point input by the user in an auto pilot-like fashion. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising using a personal electronic device to communicate with the controller and to assist in controlling operation of the LFG flow control valve. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling at least one of: LFG flow rate; orvacuum being applied to the wellhead.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (35)
Cooper Charles D. (Maitland FL) Reinhart Debra R. (Oviedo FL) Seligman Debra R. H. (Altamonte Springs FL), Apparatus for measuring gas emission rate from soil.
Cosulich John P. (17682 Rainglen La. Huntington Beach CA 92649) Cosulich William F. (31 Cherry La. Syosset NY 11791), Method and apparatus for enhancing methane production.
Palumbo, David J., Method for processing landfill and other stranded gas containing commercial quantities of methane and contaminated by carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen into a pipeline or vehicle quality natural gas product.
Sircar Shivaji (Wescosville PA) Kumar Ravi (Allentown PA) Koch William R. (Fleetwood PA) VanSloun John (Allentown PA), Recovery of methane from land fill gas.
Brookshire Ronald L. ; Brookshire Donald ; Brookshire Travis ; Kalantar-Nejad Seyed Mohammed Reza ; Beach James Joseph, Systems and methods for controlling gas flow from landfills.
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