Abstract: A system and process is provided for controlling a steam generation and distribution system including a plurality of headers. Each of the headers is coupled to steam using devices such as steam turbines and steam supplying devices such as boilers. The process includes measuring the pressure at each header and when the pressure changes, identifying each path beginning at the particular header and terminating at a boiler, and determining the alteration of a boiler and any particular steam turbines required to restore the required pressure at the header while doing so at the least incremental cost.

Abstract: A gas analyzer capable of measuring select properties of gas includes a source for emitting a beam of radiation and a detector for receiving the radiation, with the beam aligned to impinge the detector. A housing for enclosing the beam has two apertures permitting the gas to enter the housing through one of the apertures to intercept the beam, and to exit from the housing through the other aperture. Nozzles capable of generating fluid curtains are positioned to intercept the beam and are positioned to define a zone in the housing within which zone the gas is confined.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the combustion of, for example, coal or bark in a stoker boiler or black, liquor in a recovery boiler to provide operation at maximum efficiency. Control loops are provided for primary or undergrate air and secondary or overfire air. The undergrate air control loop is adjusted as a function of carbon dioxide or steam/fuel ratio, and the overfire air control loop is adjusted as a function of carbon monoxide. In addition to carbon monoxide, combustibles and opacity may be used. Air redistribution is also used to minimize combustibles or CO or opacity.

Abstract: In a recovery boiler having a plurality of air inputs, with the primary air input closest to the bed of the boiler, a fuel input, a smelt output, and an exhaust output, a method of controlling the combustion of fuel in the boiler to operate at the maximum reduction efficiency. The method includes the steps of measuring the amount of sulphur dioxide at the exhaust output; and varying the amount of air entering into the boiler through the primary air input until the minimum amount of sulphur dioxide is measured at the exhaust output.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure select properties such as color, brightness or gloss, of a moving sheet, is insensitive to flutter in the sheet. The apparatus comprises a housing to one side of said sheet. A source is located in the housing; the source is capable of emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is aligned to impinge the sheet. The radiation is selected such that it is capable of being absorbed and being reflected by the select properties of the sheet. A collector is also located in the housing; the collector is capable of receiving a portion of the beam reflected from the sheet. A detector capable of measuring the select properties of the sheet based upon the radiation received by the collector is also provided. The housing is held at a constant distance from the sheet by a stream of fluid from the housing directed to impinge the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A standardization member is to the other side of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of controlling the opacity of the exhaust of the combustion of solid fuel and air in a furnace comprises measuring the opacity of the exhaust. The amount of air and the direction (i.e., increase or decrease) entering into the furnace is changed. The opacity of the exhaust is measured again. The later measured value of opacity is compared to the earlier measured value. The amount of air entering into the furnace is controlled based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method of measuring the amount of substance associated with a material in the presence of a contaminant comprises choosing a first band of radiation which lies outside the absorption band of the substance but within the absorption band of the contaminant. The first band is directed at the material; a first detector is positioned to receive the radiation after impinging the material. The first detector converts the radiation received into a first electrical signal. A second band of radiation, which is chosen to lie within the absorption band of the substance, is also within an absorption band of the contaminant. The second band is directed at the material; a second detector is positioned to receive the radiation after impinging the material. The second detector produces a second electrical signal in response to the radiation received. The second electrical signal is subtracted from the first electrical signal.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the measurement of the thickness of a sheet through the use of air bearings, the apparatus has a stationary housing, a member in the housing capable of being extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, and a fluid ring bearing capable of directing fluid to impinge the member in a substantially omnidirection which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the member.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure select properties such as color, brightness or gloss, of a moving sheet, is insensitive to flutter in the sheet. The apparatus comprises a housing to one side of said sheet. A source is located in the housing; the source is capable of emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is aligned to impinge the sheet. The radiation is selected such that it is capable of being absorbed and being reflected by the select properties of the sheet. A collector is also located in the housing; the collector is capable of receiving a portion of the beam reflected from the sheet. A detector capable of measuring the select properties of the sheet based upon the radiation received by the collector is also provided. The housing is held at a constant distance from the sheet by a stream of fluid from the housing directed to impinge the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A standardization member is to the other side of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for standardizing a gas measuring device has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation aligned to impinge a detector and gas particles. A hollow, open-ended tube is used as a standardization means and is placed adjacent to the beam. The tube can be moved to enclose the beam, to prevent the gas from intercepting the beam, and to transmit substantially all of the radiation from the source to the detector.

Abstract: Density of products produced from a foam extrusion process is controlled by measuring the thickness and the basis weight. The density is calculated and is compared to a target, or desired value, to produce an error signal. The error signal is used to control the density.

Abstract: An extruding system for the production of continuously extruded elastomer, such as tread stock for the manufacture of vehicle tires, has an extruder, a first take-away conveyor belt for conveying the extrusion as it exits the extruder, a second conveyor belt for varying the thickness or weight of the extrusion after leaving the first conveyor belt, a sensor to measure the running-weigh-scale value and a targeted running-weigh-scale value. The weight or thickness of the continuously extruded elastomer is controlled by measuring the weight of the continuous extrusion at the running-weigh-scale. The measured value is compared to the target value to obtain a control signal. The control signal is used to adjust the difference in speed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for standardizing a gas measuring device has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation aligned to impinge a detector. A housing means encloses the beam. The housing means has a plurality of apertures permitting the gas to enter the housing means, to intercept the beam, and to exit from the housing means. The device further comprises means for closing the apertures and a means for purging said gas from the housing means.

Abstract: A method of on-line control of opacity of moving sheet material being produced by a paper making machine includes an opacity control loop where an opacity additive is controlled and a basis weight control loop where the stock input to a headbox is controlled. These two control loops are decoupled by means of an opacity to stock feed forward and a basis weight to titanium dioxide feed forward. In addition, the effect of moisture change is decoupled from opacity. The opacity of the moving sheet material is measured by a system which employs a visible source and detector on opposite sides of the sheet. A diffusing window is placed both between the sheet and the source as well as between the sheet and the detector.

Abstract: A feed forward system coupled with a feed back system is used to control the efficiency of combustion of fuel in a furnace. The feed forward system has sensors to measure the fuel flow rate and the quality of the fuel. The measurement of the sensors is used to calculate the theoretical oxygen flow rate needed to combust the fuel. The theoretical oxygen flow rate and an excess oxygen level are used to determine the actual air flow rate, which is used to control the air input to the furnace. The feedback system has a sensor to detect combustibles near the exhaust of the furnace. The measurement of the combustible sensor is used to control the excess oxygen level. In a preferred embodiment, another sensor, an oxygen sensor, is placed near the exhaust of the furnace. The oxygen sensor provides a dynamic check on the actual amount of excess oxygen level within the furnace. Finally, the oxygen sensor is also used as a safety device in providing redundancy to the combustible sensor.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a sheet material moving from the anterior to the posterior of the gauge. The gauge has two matched heads, one to either side of the sheet. Each head has a base, a skid and a bellow. The skid is hinged to the anterior of the base and is between the base and the sheet. The other end of the skid is attached to a bellow. The bellow is also attached to the posterior of the base and is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A cap is attached to the bellow. The cap has a surface parallel to the sheet near the posterior and rounded near the anterior. The two heads are positioned with the bellow of one in line with the bellow of the other. In a preferred embodiment, the gauge further comprises means for permitting the skid of each head to rotate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the hinge near the anterior of the base.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a sheet material moving from the anterior to the posterior of the gauge. The gauge has two matched heads, one to either side of the sheet. Each head has a base, a skid and a bellow. The skid is hinged to the anterior of the base and is between the base and the sheet. The other end of the skid is attached to a bellow. The bellow is also attached to the posterior of the base and is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A cap is attached to the bellow. The cap has a surface parallel to the sheet near the posterior and beveled near the anterior. The two heads are positioned with the bellow of one in line with the bellow of the other.

Abstract: A caliper gauge for measuring the thickness of a sheet has a transmitter generating a magnetic field on one side of the sheet and a receiver detecting the amplitude of the magnetic field on the other side of the sheet. Both the transmitter and receiver are maintained at a constant distance from the sheet. The transmitter comprises an electrical wire wound a plurality of times about a cylindrically shaped body of a magnetically susceptible material. The receiver also comprises a cylindrically shaped body with an electrical wire wound a plurality of times about it. The transmitter is positioned such that the axis of the cylindrical body is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. The receiver is positioned such that the axis of the cylindrical body is substantially aligned with the axis of the transmitter.

Abstract: A method of titrating liquor from a digester comprises removing a portion of the liquor into a sample vessel and using carbon dioxide as a titrant to determine the alkalinity of the liquor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight per unit length of a cigarette rod has a radioactive source to one side of the rod and a detector to the other side of the rod. The source emits a beam of radiation through the rod to the detector. Guide tubes, having air ducts, are located on both sides of the beam. Pressurized air is introduced into the tubes via the air ducts to maintain the rod centrally within the tubes.