Abstract: A method and system for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas being introduced to a catalyst is provided. Using an adjustable flow controller, an adjustable amount of tempering fluid is provided to the exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas proceeding to the catalyst. A sensor senses a parameter indicative of a temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst. A computer processor uses a relationship to relate the parameter to an adjustment of the adjustable flow controller that will adjust the amount of tempering fluid provided to the exhaust gas and change the temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst toward a target temperature. Adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is initiated by the computer processor to change the flow of the tempering fluid, and the relationship between the parameter and the adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is updated.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas being introduced to a catalyst is provided. Using an adjustable flow controller, an adjustable amount of tempering fluid is provided to the exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas proceeding to the catalyst. A sensor senses a parameter indicative of a temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst. A computer processor uses a relationship to relate the parameter to an adjustment of the adjustable flow controller that will adjust the amount of tempering fluid provided to the exhaust gas and change the temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst toward a target temperature. Adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is initiated by the computer processor to change the flow of the tempering fluid, and the relationship between the parameter and the adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is updated.

Abstract: A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter and a deflector disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, where the deflector is operable to deflect particles in a gas stream away from the sample probe tip filter.

Abstract: A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter. The sample probe also includes a shield disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, the shield being operable to deflect particles in a gas sampling stream away from the sample probe tip filter. The shield has at least one opening that allows the gas within the gas sampling stream and certain ones of the particles in the gas sampling stream both traveling in a substantially flow reversal direction to a primary direction of the gas sampling stream to enter the shield and contact the sample probe tip filter.

Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a furnace to control emission within a system. Each furnace zone inside of the furnace is associated with at least one exhaust zone. A signal indicative of an amount of byproduct exiting the furnace through at least one of the exhaust zones is received from one or more of the sensors. Based on this signal, an offending furnace zone is identified from among the plurality of furnace zones, the offending furnace zone including an oxygen level contributing to the amount of the byproduct. A relative adjustment of at least one of an amount of oxygen being introduced into the offending furnace zone, and an angular orientation of an oxygen injector introducing oxygen into the offending furnace zone relative to a focal region within the furnace can be initiated. The furnace may have structure to perform the method and may be part of a system.

Abstract: A system with a boiler and a turbine, and an associated control method. The method includes sensing a plurality of operating conditions at a first common boiler location. At least one of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location is indicative of a combustion anomaly occurring during operation. The combustion anomaly indicated by the plurality of operating conditions at the first common location is traced back to an offending burner that is at least partially responsible for the combustion anomaly based on a model that takes into consideration at least two of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location. At least one of a process input and a boiler configuration is adjusted to establish a desired value of the operating conditions at the first common location.

Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a fossil fuel fired boiler includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a plurality of sensors positioned in different spatial positions within the fossil fuel fired boiler. The method also includes recording sensor outputs, identifying spatial combustion anomalies indicated by sensor outputs, identifying burners responsible for the spatial combustion anomalies, and adjusting air flow of responsible burners to alleviate the spatial combustion anomalies.

Abstract: Solutions for mapping slag zones in a boiler are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an obtainer for obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane; a determinater for determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors; an identifier for identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of grid sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and a user interface module for displaying the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least one grid sensor.

Abstract: A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter and a deflector disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, where the deflector is operable to deflect particles in a gas stream away from the sample probe tip filter.

Abstract: A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter. The sample probe also includes a shield disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, the shield being operable to deflect particles in a gas sampling stream away from the sample probe tip filter. The shield has at least one opening that allows the gas within the gas sampling stream and certain ones of the particles in the gas sampling stream both traveling in a substantially flow reversal direction to a primary direction of the gas sampling stream to enter the shield and contact the sample probe tip filter.

Abstract: A system and a method for transferring data in an emission-monitoring system from a first computer to a second computer are provided. The method includes generating a first message containing a first software variable having a first site-specific value that is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer. The first site-specific value is indicative of whether one of a fault event, a maintenance event, or a calibration event associated with the first computer has occurred. The method further includes receiving the first message at the second computer, the second computer storing the first site-specific value in a first record of a first database. The first record is associated with the first software variable. The method further includes determining whether the first site-specific value indicates that an event has occurred.

Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for adjusting CO emission levels in predetermined locations in a boiler system are provided. The boiler system has a plurality of burners and a plurality of CO sensors disposed therein. The system determines locations within the boiler system that have relatively high CO levels utilizing the plurality of CO sensors and then adjusts A/F ratios of burners affecting those locations to decrease the CO levels at the locations.

Abstract: A system and a method for decreasing a rate of slag formation at predetermined locations in a boiler system are provided. The boiler system has a plurality of burners, a plurality of slag detection sensors, a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of CO sensors disposed therein. The system determines locations within the boiler system that have relatively high slag thickness levels utilizing the plurality of slag detection sensors and then adjusts A/F ratios or mass flows of burners affecting those locations, or adds slag reducing additives to the burners affecting those locations, to decrease a rate of slag formation at the locations, utilizing signals from the plurality of slag detection sensor, the plurality of temperature sensors, and the plurality of CO sensors.

Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for adjusting temperature levels in predetermined locations in a boiler system are provided. The boiler system has a plurality of burners and a plurality of temperature sensors and CO sensors disposed therein. The system determines locations within the boiler system that have relatively high temperature levels utilizing the plurality of temperature sensors and then adjusts A/F ratios of burners affecting those locations to decrease the temperature levels at the locations while maintaining CO levels at or below a threshold level.

Abstract: A system and a method for transferring data in an emission-monitoring system from a first computer to a second computer are provided. The method includes generating a first message containing a first software variable having a first site-specific value that is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer. The first site-specific value is indicative of whether one of a fault event, a maintenance event, or a calibration event associated with the first computer has occurred. The method further includes receiving the first message at the second computer, the second computer storing the first site-specific value in a first record of a first database. The first record is associated with the first software variable. The method further includes determining whether the first site-specific value indicates that an event has occurred.

Abstract: A system and a method for transferring data in an emission-monitoring system from a first computer to a second computer are provided. The method includes generating a first message containing a first software variable having a first site-specific value that is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer. The first site-specific value is indicative of whether one of a fault event, a maintenance event, or a calibration event associated with the first computer has occurred. The method further includes receiving the first message at the second computer, the second computer storing the first site-specific value in a first record of a first database. The first record is associated with the first software variable. The method further includes determining whether the first site-specific value indicates that an event has occurred.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-level optimization of emission levels and efficiency for a boiler system that includes creating both boiler-level models and burner-level models and receiving a plurality of boiler-level system variables. The received system variables are used along with boiler system constraints to optimize boiler-level setpoints. Once the boiler-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner level of a hierarchical control system, where they are used to optimize burner-level setpoints. Once the burner-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner control loops of the plant control system to be implemented.

Abstract: A method and system of obtaining a spatially representative sample of fluid flowing through a duct comprises providing a sample probe having a plurality of inlet ports in the duct, controlling a back pressure within the sample probe so that the back pressure within the sample probe at each inlet port is the same, and receiving a sample portion of the fluid into the plurality of inlet ports. The back pressure may be equal to a static pressure of an outlet portion of the duct. The back pressure may be controlled by venting the sample probe to atmosphere, using a pressure regulator connected to the sample probe or venting to an opening in a wall of an outlet portion of the duct. A cross sectional area of the sample probe may be at least ten times larger than a sum of respective cross sectional areas of the inlet ports.

Abstract: A method and system of obtaining a sample of fluid flowing through a duct comprises determining an average concentration of a component species of the fluid during a test including determining first and second concentrations of the component species at first and second respective duct locations, positioning first and second sample probes in the duct so that they receive the fluid at the first and second locations, respectively, and controlling respective flow rates of fluid received by the first and second sample probes, or alternatively first and second time amounts that the flow of fluid is received by the first and second sample probes, respectively, based on the determined first, second and average concentrations. The respective flow rates or time amounts may be controlled so that component species concentration collectively received by the first and second sample probes equals the average concentration of the component species determined during the test.

Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a fossil fuel fired boiler includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a plurality of sensors positioned in different spatial positions within the fossil fuel fired boiler. The method also includes recording sensor outputs, identifying spatial combustion anomalies indicated by sensor outputs, identifying burners responsible for the spatial combustion anomalies, and adjusting air flow of responsible burners to alleviate the spatial combustion anomalies.