Patent US5275553A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5275553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for combustion, pollution and chemical process control
Assignee: Ametek Inc
•
Filing: 1992-05-11
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2012-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a system for regulating the efficiency of a combustion process by detecting radiant energy emitted from ash particles entrained in the gas stream exiting the combustion chamber of a boiler or incinerator. The intensity of selected wavelengths of light emitted from the particles is indicative of the temperature of the particles. The change in the intensities of the selected wavelengths of light, and thus of the temperature of the gas stream at the furnace exit, is monitored, and a feedback control mechanism is used to regulate one or more combustion, pollution control, or heat transfer parameters thereby maximizing the thermal efficiency of the combustion process in the boiler or incinerator.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Frish
- 👤 Joseph Morency
- 👤 Stephen A. Johnson
- 👤 Arthur A. Boni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:00
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/003; F23N5/02; F23N5/08; F23N5/082; F23N2225/00; F23N2225/08; F23N2225/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. a single photodector for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of the light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of inefficiency in the combustion process; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected by the detection means, for indicating the presence of inefficiency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. a single photodector for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of the light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of inefficiency in the combustion process; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected by the detection means, for indicating the presence of inefficiency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to the signal generated in step (b) for controlling the operating parameter in the combustion process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the means responsive to the signal comprises a signal processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the operating parameter comprises an auxiliary burner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the operating parameter comprises a pollution control system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the pollution control system comprises a means for injecting a pollution control chemical or chemicals into the flowing gases thereby converting harmful compounds in the gases to benign compounds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the pollution control chemical comprises ammonia or urea.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the intensity of the wavelength of light detected is indicative of the temperature of the entrained particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the indicated temperature is unaffected by light emitted from media other than the entrained particles.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including flowing gases having particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. a single photodector for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of the light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of inefficiency in the combustion chamber; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected by the detection means, for indicating the presence of inefficiency.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including flowing gases having particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. a single photodector for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of the light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of inefficiency in the combustion chamber; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected by the detection means, for indicating the presence of inefficiency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising means responsive to the signal generated in step (b) for controlling a combustion parameter or heat transfer in the combustion chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the intensity of the wavelength of light detected is indicative of the temperature of the entrained particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the indicated temperature is unaffected by light emitted from media other than the entrained particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the wavelength of light detected is within the range from about 400 nm to about 900 nm and the photodetector detects a band of light having a bandwidth of about 10 nm to 12 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the means responsive to the signal comprises a signal processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the means for controlling comprises a means for cleaning the heat exchange surface of the combustion chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the means for cleaning the heat exchange surface of the combustion chamber is selected from the group consisting of a soot blowing device and a water lance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the combustion chamber is adapted for combustion of a fuel selected from the group consisting of coal and solid waste products.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for regulating thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including a gas stream having particles entrained herein, comprising the steps of: a. detecting with a single photodetector a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of thermal inefficiency in the combustion chamber; b. generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected for indicating the presence of inefficiency; and c. analyzing the signal obtained in step (b) and utilizing the analysis obtained thereby for regulating a combustion parameter or heat transfer in the combustion chamber.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for regulating thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including a gas stream having particles entrained herein, comprising the steps of: a. detecting with a single photodetector a preselected wavelength of light emitted from particles entrained in the combustion product gas stream which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber, wherein the intensity of light at said preselected wavelength is indicative of thermal inefficiency in the combustion chamber; b. generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected for indicating the presence of inefficiency; and c. analyzing the signal obtained in step (b) and utilizing the analysis obtained thereby for regulating a combustion parameter or heat transfer in the combustion chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the wavelength of light detected is within the range from about 400 nm to 900 nm and the photodetector detects a band of light having a bandwidth of about 10 nm to 12 nm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 19 wherein step (c) is performed by analyzing the signal obtained in step (b) with a signal processor and applying the analysis obtained to initiate cleaning a heat exchange surface of the combustion chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the cleaning is performed using a member selected from the group consisting of a soot blowing device and a water lance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the combustion chamber is adapted for combustion of a fuel selected from the group consisting of a coal and solid waste products.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including a gas stream having particles entrained therein, comprising: a. single photodetector which is capable of selectively detecting a specific wavelength of light emitted from ash particles in the combustion product exhaust which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber; b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of the specific wavelength of light detected; and c. a signal processor for analyzing the signal obtained in step (b) and for producing an output signal useful to control at least one combustion or heat transfer parameter.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber having a heat exchange surface and combustion products including a gas stream having particles entrained therein, comprising: a. single photodetector which is capable of selectively detecting a specific wavelength of light emitted from ash particles in the combustion product exhaust which exits the combustion chamber thereby excluding radiation from flame within the combustion chamber; b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of the specific wavelength of light detected; and c. a signal processor for analyzing the signal obtained in step (b) and for producing an output signal useful to control at least one combustion or heat transfer parameter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the wavelength of light detected is within the range from about 400 nm to about 900 nm and having a bandwidth of about 10 nm to 12 nm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 24 further comprising means responsive to the output signal for automatically initiating a decrease in furnace exit gas temperature.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 24 wherein the means responsive to the output signal comprises a means for cleaning the heat exchange surface of the combustion chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 27 wherein the means for cleaning the heat exchange surface comprises a soot blowing device or a water lance.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from ash particles entrained in combustion product gas streams which exit a combustion chamber, comprising: a. an aperture tube which mates with a combustion product stack which exits the combustion chamber; b. an objective lens disposed to receive light from said aperture tube; c. at least one field lens or optical fiber which images light from the objective lens; d. a single photodetector which detects wavelengths of light passing through the field lenses; and e. means for converting the light detected to signals indicative of the temperature of the ash particles.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for detecting a preselected wavelength of light emitted from ash particles entrained in combustion product gas streams which exit a combustion chamber, comprising: a. an aperture tube which mates with a combustion product stack which exits the combustion chamber; b. an objective lens disposed to receive light from said aperture tube; c. at least one field lens or optical fiber which images light from the objective lens; d. a single photodetector which detects wavelengths of light passing through the field lenses; and e. means for converting the light detected to signals indicative of the temperature of the ash particles.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 29 further comprising means for transporting the signal indicative of the temperature of the ash particles to a combustion chamber efficiency control device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the means for converting light to signals comprises a signal processor.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having reflective particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. at least one photodetector located in a flue for selectively detecting preselected wavelengths of light emitted from said reflective particles entrained in the gas stream discharged from the combustion chamber, wherein said preselected wavelengths are wavelengths at which said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame in the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, and wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelengths is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of said detected emitted light indicating the presence of combustion inefficiency.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having reflective particles entrained therein, said system comprising: a. at least one photodetector located in a flue for selectively detecting preselected wavelengths of light emitted from said reflective particles entrained in the gas stream discharged from the combustion chamber, wherein said preselected wavelengths are wavelengths at which said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame in the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, and wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelengths is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process; and b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of said detected emitted light indicating the presence of combustion inefficiency.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 32 further comprising means responsive to the signal generated in step (b) for controlling the operating parameter in the combustion process.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 wherein the means responsive to the signal comprises a signal processor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the particles exhibit forward scattering of light reflected from the combustion process.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 32 comprising a pollution control system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the pollution control system comprises a means for injecting a pollution control chemical into the flowing gases thereby converting harmful compounds in the gases to benign compounds.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the pollution control chemical comprises ammonia or urea.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 32 comprising at least two photodetectors wherein each photodetector detects a wavelength of light different from the other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the intensity of emitted light detected is indicative of the temperature of the reflective particles.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 40 wherein the indicated temperature is unaffected by light from media other than that emitted from the entrained particles.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having reflective particles entrained therein, the method comprising selectively detecting light emitted from said reflective particles with at least one photodetector located in a flue and which detects wavelengths of light at which said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame within the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, and wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelength is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for controlling operating parameters of a combustion process in a combustion chamber yielding products including flowing gases having reflective particles entrained therein, the method comprising selectively detecting light emitted from said reflective particles with at least one photodetector located in a flue and which detects wavelengths of light at which said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame within the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, and wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelength is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the reflective particles result from combustion of fuel having a high mineral content.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the fuel comprises coal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light at said wavelength detected, for indicating thermal inefficiency in the combustion process.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising analyzing the signal and utilizing the analysis obtained for regulating a combustion parameter or heat transfer in the combustion process.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 42 wherein at least two photodetectors are used, and wherein each photodetector detects a band of wavelengths of light different from the others.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the wavelength of light detected is in the range of from about 400 nm to 900 nm and has a bandwidth of about 10 nm to 12 nm.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber which generates combustion products including a gas stream having reflective particles entrained therein, comprising: a. at least one photodetector for selectively detecting specific wavelengths of light emitted from said reflective particles at a wavelengths wherein said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame in the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelengths is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process; b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of said detected, emitted light; and c. a signal processor responsive to the signal obtained in step (b) for producing an output signal useful to control at least one combustion or heat transfer parameter.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
130 words
A device for controlling thermal efficiency in a combustion chamber which generates combustion products including a gas stream having reflective particles entrained therein, comprising: a. at least one photodetector for selectively detecting specific wavelengths of light emitted from said reflective particles at a wavelengths wherein said particles forward scatter light reflected from flame in the combustion chamber thereby permitting selective detection of light emitted from said particles, wherein the intensity of the emitted light at said wavelengths is indicative of the efficiency of the combustion process; b. means for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of said detected, emitted light; and c. a signal processor responsive to the signal obtained in step (b) for producing an output signal useful to control at least one combustion or heat transfer parameter.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the wavelength of light detected is within the range of from about 400 nm to about 000 nm and has a bandwidth of about 10 nm to 12 nm.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 49 wherein the reflective particles have a particle size conductive to forward scattering of light reflected from the combustion chamber.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 49 comprising at least two photodetectors wherein each photodetector detects a wavelength of light different from the others.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |