Map for purpose of seeing and updating operational lineup?

[djhestad]

Morning everybody,

We are looking to create a tool that helps us to easily see, and regularly update, what sections of our steam distribution system are online.  This would include not only which pipes are online and where, but also how buildings are being fed.  In my mind, this tool is an electronic map - I'd be able to click on a valve to change it from open to closed, and then update a certain section of pipe to show as being depressurized.  For us, nothing would actually happen in the field - we aren't looking at automation.    

Alternatively, this could be a printed map, but I think it would be harder to manipulate and easily see.  

I've done a bit of poking around on the internet and haven't come up with any ideas other than full-blown SCADA.  I think that's overkill for us, because we don't have the automation/control aspect of that type of tool.  Even the data acquisition part of SCADA isn't totally necessary for our system - my initial idea is that all "data" would be collected manually (i.e. guys come back from the field and update the map).  

Do any of you have something like this that you currently use, or do you know of any vendors that you'd recommend that can help us create this tool/map?

Thanks in advance!

Dave H. 

David Hestad

Steam Utilities Supervisor
Energy Management, a division of Facilities Management

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

[Moser, Paul]

Hi David,

Folks here at PSU have created a GIS mapping system for all of our underground and tunneled utilities.  It's primarily used for locating and defining pipe/conduit attributes.

We also use it as a condition assessment tool utilizing a rating system.  The entire system is broken down into node-to-node sections [eg. Manhole to manhole] which are graded from bad to good (0-5 scale).  

A system like this could also include valve position if you wanted to do that.

Paul Moser, PE

Superintendent - Steam Services

814-880-5963

Sent from my iPad

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Distribution Forum" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to distribution-fo...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to distribut...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/distribution-forum.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Edward T. Borer Jr.]

We use a static version of TERMIS for planning purposes. But dynamic models are also possible.

 

Ted Borer, PE, CEM, LEED AP

Princeton University

Energy Plant Manager

MacMillan Building, Elm Drive

Princeton, NJ 08543-2158

Ph:(609) 258-3966

Fx:(609) 258-2298

Cell: (609) 731-2327

Home: (609) 466-3322

etb...@princeton.edu

 

Scientific evidence for warming of the climate is unequivocal.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

 

“It would go a long way to caution and direct people in their use of the world, that they were better studied and knowing in the Creation of it. For how could [they] find the confidence to abuse it, while they should see the great Creator stare them in the face, in all and every part of it”

William Penn, 1693

--

[MacKellar, George]

David,

 

A flow modeling program can be used to create a map of your distribution system, including valves and fittings.   It provides an easy indication of node-to-node sections of pipe that are out of service by selecting that section.   The flow model will also use flow data that you have input to indicate the effect of shutting down a section pipe on the resulting pressures throughout the campus, including the feeds to buildings.   This type of tool is frequently used to evaluate the effect changes to a system or shut-downs before the actual change or shut-down occurs.  Pipe-Flo is a program we have used.   There are others.

 

George D. MacKellar, PE | Vice Pres./Sr. Mechanical Engineer | 616.464.3819 | www.ftch.com

Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. | Engineers, Scientists, Architects, Constructors

[David Hestad]

Thanks for the replies everybody, this input is much-appreciated.

Take care,

Dave

David Hestad

Steam Utilities Supervisor
Energy Management, a division of Facilities Management

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Office:  612.625.9327

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to distribution-forum+unsub...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to distribution-forum@googlegroups.com.

[Edward T. Borer Jr.]

In addition to Pipe-Flo https://eng-software.com/products/pipe-flo/ that George mentions and TERMIS that we use http://software.schneider-electric.com/products/termis/, there is Applied Flow Technology’s series: http://www.aft.com/

 

Ted Borer, PE, CEM, LEED AP

Princeton University

Energy Plant Manager

MacMillan Building, Elm Drive

Princeton, NJ 08543-2158

Ph:(609) 258-3966

Fx:(609) 258-2298

Cell: (609) 731-2327

Home: (609) 466-3322

etb...@princeton.edu