Booster pump control system

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for performing booster pump control. In some embodiments, a method for controlling a booster pump system includes detecting a no-flow event has occurred based on a booster pump response with respect to a controlled increase in discharge pressure above a discharge pressure set point; and shutting down the booster pump system in response to occurrence of the no-flow event.

1 . A method for controlling a booster pump system, the method comprising:
 detecting a no-flow event has occurred based on a booster pump response with respect to a controlled increase in discharge pressure above a discharge pressure set point; and   shutting down the booster pump system in response to occurrence of the no-flow event.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting the no-flow event has occurred comprises:
 controlling discharge pressure of a pump of the booster pump system to increase the discharge pressure to a predetermined amount greater than the discharge pressure set point, 
 starting a no flow timer that has a duration, and 
 determining that the discharge pressure remains above the discharge pressure set point after increasing the discharge pressure. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined amount greater than the discharge pressure set point is two to five pound per square inch (PSI) higher than the discharge pressure set point. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the booster pump includes a lag pump and a lead pump, and controlling discharge pressure of the booster pump to increase the discharge pressure comprises ramping up the discharge pressure, by a variable frequency drive (VFD) of a lead pump, to reach the predetermined amount. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein determining that the discharge pressure remains above the pressure set point comprises:
 obtaining a measurement of the discharge pressure using a pressure sensor; and 
 comparing the measurement to the discharge pressure set point. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 determining that the discharge pressure returned to the discharge pressure set point; and 
 determining that the no-flow event did not occur upon determining that the discharge pressure returned to the discharge pressure set point. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the discharge pressure set point is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . A booster pump system comprising:
 a pressure sensor,   one or more booster pumps,   a control system coupled to the pressure sensor and the one or more booster pumps to:
 detect a no-flow event has occurred based on a booster pump response with respect to a controlled increase in discharge pressure above a discharge pressure set point; and 
 shut down the booster pump system upon occurrence of the no-flow event. 
   
     
     
         9 . The booster pump system of  claim 8  wherein detecting the no-flow event has occurred comprises:
 controlling discharge pressure of a pump of the booster pump system to increase the discharge pressure to a predetermined amount greater than the discharge pressure set point, 
 starting a no flow timer that has a duration, and 
 determining that the discharge pressure remains above the discharge pressure set point after increasing the discharge pressure. 
 
     
     
         10 . The booster pump system of  claim 9  wherein the predetermined amount greater than the discharge pressure set point is two to five pound per square inch (PSI) higher than the discharge pressure set point. 
     
     
         11 . The booster pump system of  claim 9  wherein the booster pump includes a lag pump and a lead pump, and controlling discharge pressure of the booster pump to increase the discharge pressure comprises ramping up the discharge pressure, by a variable frequency drive (VFD) of a lead pump, to reach the predetermined amount. 
     
     
         12 . The booster pump system of  claim 9  wherein determining that the discharge pressure remains above the pressure set point comprises:
 obtaining a measurement of the discharge pressure using a pressure sensor; and 
 comparing the measurement to the discharge pressure set point. 
 
     
     
         13 . The booster pump system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 determining that the discharge pressure returned to the discharge pressure set point; and 
 determining that the no-flow event did not occur upon determining that the discharge pressure returned to the discharge pressure set point. 
 
     
     
         14 . The booster pump system of  claim 8  wherein the discharge pressure set point is adjustable. 
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling a booster pump system, the method comprising:
 monitoring, using a pressure sensor, discharge pressure of the booster pump system;   determining the quantity of pumps operating in the booster pump system;   adjusting a discharge pressure set point based on preset pressure adjustments that are calculated based on the pressure booster packaged characteristics; and   modulating operating pumps to maintain the discharge pressure at the adjusted discharge pressure set point.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein modulating operating pumps comprises adjusting speed of a pump based on the adjusted discharge pressure set point. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising calculating the preset pressure adjustments based on a flow rate based on a variable frequency drive (VFD) of a pump in the booster pump system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein further comprising calculating the preset pressure adjustments based on piping friction loss and a target flow rate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the discharge pressure set point is adjustable.