Method for pumping a liquid, pumping station, and pumping area

Abstract

Pumping method, pumping station, and pumping area Method for pumping liquid from a spent liquid pipeline ( 10 ) and comprising the steps of: providing a first pump ( 501 ), providing a junction pipeline ( 15 ), mechanically coupling said junction pipeline ( 15 ) to said first pump ( 501 ) and to said spent liquid pipeline ( 10 ) for allowing liquid to flow from said spent liquid pipeline ( 10 ) to said first pump ( 501 ). The method is characterized in that said first pump ( 501 ) is a self-priming pump.

1 . A method for pumping liquid from a spent liquid pipeline, said spent liquid pipeline comprising a spent liquid inlet and a spent liquid outlet and configured in such a way that said liquid can flow from said spent liquid inlet to said spent liquid outlet by gravity, said method comprising the following steps:
 providing a first pump for pumping said liquid, comprising an inlet for liquid to be pumped and an outlet for pumped liquid;   providing a junction pipeline comprising a first and a second end;   mechanically coupling said first end of said junction pipeline to said inlet of said first pump and mechanically coupling said second end of said junction pipeline to said spent liquid outlet of said spent liquid pipeline such that said inlet for liquid to be pumped of said first pump is connected to said spent liquid pipeline via said junction pipeline;   
       wherein said first pump is a self-priming pump. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said spent liquid pipeline is an underground pipeline. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said underground spent liquid pipeline is a pipeline for discharging spent liquid from a well. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said well is a pebble trap. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a step of positioning the spent liquid pipeline such that it has a mean inclination of between 10° and 50° relative to a horizontal plane such that said spent liquid inlet is situated at a higher level relative to said spent liquid outlet in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein it comprises a step of positioning the spent liquid pipeline such that it has a mean inclination of between 30° and 45° relative to a horizontal plane such that said spent liquid inlet is situated at a higher level relative to said spent liquid outlet in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a step of positioning said first pump on the surface of the ground. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said first pump is controlled as follows:
 when a level of liquid to be pumped is h 1  or greater, starting said first pump and imposing a pumping speed v 1 ≠0 on it;   if said liquid level is greater than h 2 <h 1  but less than or equal to h 1 , imposing said pumping speed v 1  on said first pump if the latter is in operation;   when said liquid level reaches h 2 <h 1 , imposing a pumping speed v 2 <v 1  on said first pump during a time interval ΔT, such that said liquid level is kept constant;   after said time interval ΔT, imposing a pumping speed v 3  on said first pump such that said liquid level reaches a value h 3 <h 2 ;   when said liquid level reaches h 3 <h 2 , stopping the first pump.   
     
     
         9 . A pumping station comprising:
 a spent liquid pipeline comprising a spent liquid inlet and a spent liquid outlet, and configured in such a way that liquid can flow from said spent liquid inlet to said spent liquid outlet by gravity,   a pumping set for pumping liquid from said spent liquid pipeline and comprising:
 a first pump for pumping said liquid, comprising an inlet for liquid to be pumped and an outlet for pumped liquid; 
 a junction pipeline mechanically coupled to said inlet of said first pump; 
 coupling means mechanically coupled to said junction pipeline and suitable for mechanically coupling said junction pipeline to said spent liquid outlet of said spent liquid pipeline, 
   said pumping station being configured such that said spent liquid pipeline is mechanically coupled to said junction pipeline by said coupling means, allowing a flow of spent liquid from the spent liquid inlet of said spent liquid pipeline to its spent liquid outlet then to said junction pipeline and then to said inlet for liquid to be pumped of said first pump when the latter is operating;   
       wherein said first pump is a self-priming pump. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein the spent liquid pipeline has a mean inclination of between 10° and 50° relative to a horizontal plane such that said spent liquid inlet is situated at a higher level relative to said spent liquid outlet in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein the spent liquid pipeline has a mean inclination of between 30° and 45° relative to a horizontal plane such that said spent liquid inlet is situated at a higher level relative to said spent liquid outlet in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said spent liquid pipeline is located underground, and wherein   said first pump is located on the surface of the ground.   
     
     
         13 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein said pumping set comprises:
 a self-priming second pump for pumping said liquid, comprising an inlet for liquid to be pumped and an outlet for pumped liquid;   a junction pipeline mechanically coupled to said inlet of said second pump;   coupling means mechanically coupled to said junction pipeline and suitable for mechanically coupling said junction pipeline to said spent liquid outlet of said spent liquid pipeline.   
     
     
         14 . The pumping station according to  claim 13  wherein it comprises a regulation system for alternating the operation of said first and second pumps. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein said junction pipeline has a length of between two and nine metres. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping station according to  claim 9 , wherein it comprises a regulation system for controlling the operation of said first pump as follows:
 when a level of liquid to be pumped is h 1  or greater, said regulation system is suitable for starting said first pump and imposing a pumping speed v 1  on it;   when said liquid level is greater than h 2 <h 1  but less than or equal to h 1 , said regulation system is suitable for imposing said pumping speed v 1  on said first pump;   when said liquid level reaches h 2 <h 1 , said regulation system is suitable for imposing a pumping speed v 2  on said first pump such that v 2 <v 1  during a time interval ΔT such that said liquid level is kept constant;   after said time interval ΔT, said regulation system is suitable for imposing a pumping speed v 3  on said first pump such that said liquid level reaches a value h 3 <h 2 ;   when said liquid level reaches h 3 <h 2 , said regulation system is suitable for stopping said first pump.   
     
     
         17 . The pumping station according to  claim 16  wherein said pumping speeds v 1  and v 3  are equal to the maximum pumping speed of said first pump. 
     
     
         18 . The pumping station according to  claim 9  wherein it comprises a bypass pipeline coupled to said first pump to allow for cleaning of a region situated in said spent liquid pipeline by diverting at least a portion of liquid pumped by said first pump to said region. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping station according to  claim 9  wherein it comprises a level sensor for measuring a liquid level. 
     
     
         20 . The pumping station according to  claim 19  wherein said liquid level is a liquid level in said spent liquid pipeline. 
     
     
         21 . The pumping station according to  claim 19  wherein said level sensor is a bubbling level sensor comprising a bubbling tube. 
     
     
         22 . A pumping area comprising the pumping station according to  claim 9  and a well, said spent liquid inlet of said spent liquid pipeline being in communication with the interior of said well. 
     
     
         23 . The pumping area according to  claim 22 , wherein said well is a pebble trap.