US 12,109,543 B2
Methods and systems for operating a pump at an efficiency point
Kyle E. Miller, Findlay, OH (US)
Assigned to MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed by MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/086,757.
Application 17/894,537 is a division of application No. 17/856,529, filed on Jul. 1, 2022, granted, now 11,559,774.
Application 18/086,757 is a continuation of application No. 17/894,537, filed on Aug. 24, 2022, granted, now 11,565,221.
Application 17/856,529 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/566,768, filed on Dec. 31, 2021, granted, now 11,752,472.
Application 17/566,768 is a continuation of application No. 17/247,880, filed on Dec. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,247,184, issued on Feb. 15, 2022.
Application 17/247,880 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/247,700, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,774,990.
Application 17/247,880 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/247,704, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 10,990,114, issued on Apr. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/265,458, filed on Dec. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/265,425, filed on Dec. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/198,356, filed on Oct. 13, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/705,538, filed on Jul. 2, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/954,960, filed on Dec. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0129513 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01F 23/40 (2022.01); B01F 25/53 (2022.01); B01F 35/83 (2022.01); B01F 25/00 (2022.01)
CPC B01F 23/49 (2022.01) [B01F 25/53 (2022.01); B01F 35/833 (2022.01); B01F 2025/919 (2022.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation, the method comprising:
upon an initiation of an in-line blending operation:
discharging, via a pump, a fluid from a tank at a specified flow rate to a main control valve and a spillback loop;
determining a current pump efficiency point based on a best efficiency point and current pump speed on a pump curve; and
in response to a determination that the current pump efficiency point is outside of a pre-selected range from the best efficiency point on the pump curve, adjusting, to drive the pump to operate within the pre-selected range such that the pump consumes less energy, one or more of:
(1) the specified flow rate of the pump,
(2) an open position of the main control valve to maintain a flow rate of a first portion of the fluid from the main control valve, and
(3) an open position of a spillback control valve of the spillback loop to control a flow rate of a second portion of fluid in the spillback loop.