Method and apparatus for monitoring the burning efficiency of a furnace

Patent · Tue Mar 06 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6488255

Astheimer, R W

A furnace burner flame monitoring method and apparatus are provided for controlling the burner fuel mixture in order to operate a furnace at maximum burning efficiency. A radiometer having an infrared detector views the flame and detects infrared radiation emitted from the flame. A filter wheel is interposed between the infrared detector and the flame for transmitting at least three different, discrete, infrared radiation bands from the flame to the detector with the detector thereby generating at least three signals in response to radiation received from the three infrared radiation bands. A control parameter is derived using a ratio of at least two of the signals from the infrared radiation bands which are compensated for flame length using a third of the signals generated by the infrared detector. The control parameter may then be utilized for controlling the fuel/air mixture which is burned for thus monitoring and maintaining the furnace at maximum efficiency.

• Assignee: Barnes Engineering Company
• Patent Number(s): US 4435149
• OSTI ID: 6488255
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
421000* -- Engineering-- Combustion Systems
BURNERS
COMBUSTION CONTROL
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLAME PROPAGATION
FLAMES
FUEL SYSTEMS
FUEL-AIR RATIO
FURNACES
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
MONITORING
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOMETERS
SIGNALS
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
THERMOGRAPHY