Abstract: An unburned carbon and other combustibles monitoring and control system for a fly ash producing fossil-fueled boiler, such as a pulverized coal fired boiler. An infrared imaging camera counts the moving hot particles entrained in the hot gases downstream of the furnace region of the boiler and provides a first signal representative of the number of hot particles in the hot gases over a predetermined period of time. A signal processor is connected to the infrared imaging camera for counting the hot particles for receiving the signal representative of the number of particles in the hot gases and providing a second signal representative of the mass flow of unburned carbon and other combustibles content of the fly ash produced by the boiler, the second signal being a function of the first signal.

Abstract: Information relating to combustion conditions within a fossil-fueled boiler that includes a plurality of burners adapted to produce flames combining to form a fireball is provided by acquiring data relating to the physical and temperature characteristics of the fireball with at least one imaging camera having optical and temperature measuring capabilities; receiving, storing and processing data received from the camera to provide data representative of the NO.sub.x content of the hot gases produced by the fireball; and transmitting the processed data from the processor to a monitor for display. Transmitted, processed data may include current, historical and target information relating to the physical appearance and temperature profile of the fireball.

Abstract: An unburned carbon and other combustibles monitoring and control system for a fossil-fueled boiler, such as a pulverized coal fired boiler. An infrared imaging camera counts the moving hot particles entrained in the hot gases exiting the boiler and provides a first signal representative of the number of hot particles in the hot gases over a predetermined period of time. A signal processor is connected to the infrared imaging camera for counting the hot particles for receiving the signal representative of the number of particles in the hot gases and providing a second signal representative of the unburned carbon and other combustibles content of the fly ash produced by the boiler.

Abstract: A method for controlling nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) levels in a gas produced by a fossil fuel fired unit comprises establishing an optimum gas temperature range for the unit and monitoring a gas temperature of the unit. The heat exchanger surfaces of the unit are then cleaned until the monitored gas temperature is within the optimum gas temperature range. An optimum fuel combustion rate range is also established for the unit and a fuel combustion rate of the unit is monitored. Air is provided to the unit until the monitored fuel combustion rate is within the optimum combustion rate range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a real-time video display and a temperature map display of an object, in particular a flame, comprises a single CCD video camera and optical equipment which focuses separate light bundles onto a photosensitive surface of the camera. A separate band pass filter is used in each light bundle to filter selected different wavelengths of light. The video signal from the camera is used in a video digitizer to obtain data which can be used to calculate a temperature map based on the different wavelengths of light of the two bundles. The video signal is also used to produce a real-time video display of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for a fiber optic based fire detection and tracking system. An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) interrogates at least one optical fiber with a melting point defining a threshold temperature for fire detection. The OTDR measure the time of flight of a light pulse originating at each optical fiber input end and reflected back to determine the linear position of interruptions along an optical fiber which allows for fire detection and location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring reflective ash deposited on a furnace wall to be cleaned, comprises an infrared video camera or other mechanism for taking an infrared image of the furnace wall. The image must include an area to be cleaned by the waterblowing as well as a surrounding uncleaned area. Photo detectors or other mechanisms are utilized to measure the image intensity at locations on the cleaned and uncleaned areas with a ratio between the intensities being taken. The cleaned area has low reflectivity and is dark compared to the uncleaned area which is white and has high image intensity. The image intensity ratio between the cleaned area and the uncleaned area thus rises from a low level immediately after waterblowing to a high level which approaches unity as the initially cleaned area becomes as unclean as the uncleaned area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a water lance for water cleaning a furnace wall comprises a sensor or calculation equipment to derive the furnace wall emissivity and equipment that compares the emissivity to a programmed low setpoint that represents an unclean furnace wall and poor furnace operation. Water lance operation is initiated when the low setpoint is reached. The speed at which the water lance operates is also adjusted according to peak emissivity levels which are measured or derived from the furnace walls after each cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of initiating and terminating the cleaning of a furnace wall to remove reflective ash which been deposited thereon, comprises a video or infrared monitor which monitors the light being reflected from the furnace wall or the ratio of the reflected to the incident light, the intensity of reflected light or ratio of the reflected to the incident light increasing as additional reflective ash is deposited. When the reflected light intensity reaches a selected value, cleaning is initiated and measurement of the reflected light is continued to monitor when the reflected light reaches a low substantially constant intensity. At that point, the cleaning operation is terminated since the constant reflected light intensity indicates a substantially clean condition.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for validating monitoring instruments whereby the validating solution contains other analytes normally present in an industrial liquid. The solution is checked for water purity prior to addition of other analytes and is checked for homogeneity after mixing the analytes.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for validating monitoring instruments whereby the validating solution contains other analytes normally present in an industrial liquid. The solution is checked for water purity prior to addition of other analytes and is checked for homogeneity after mixing with analytes.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal separator for vapor-liquid mixtures having a vertical upflow conduit closed at the top end and open at the bottom end. A plurality of curved arms similar in shape to a truncated torus of rectangular cross-section penetrate and extend within the conduit at its upper portion. A second plurality of curved arms are located immediately below the upper group and are contiguous thereto. The vertical upflow conduit has a lesser internal diameter in the lower portion, interconnected with a greater internal diameter portion in the upper portion by a frusto-conical section.