Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a generator and an interface. The generator is coupled to the interface and provides data to the interface regarding electricity generation. The interface is coupled to a control node for monitoring and controlling the generator. The control node may be coupled to the generator through a medium such as the internet. In some aspects of the invention, a continuous emissions monitoring system is provided for fossil-fuel based generators to enhance operation and reduce emissions of such generators.

Abstract: A circulating flow of liquid gasoline is provided to a chemical analyzer for analyzing sulfur concentration. The chemical analyzer vaporizes and combusts a sample of the gasoline to provide an exhaust gas that includes sulfur dioxide produced by combusting the sulfur concentration. The exhaust gas is pressurized and delivered to a flame photometric detector which detects the sulfur dioxide concentration. The sulfur content is inferred from the sulfur dioxide concentration.

Abstract: A combustion gas analyzer for measuring the concentration of a gas constituent in an exhaust gas stream is provided. The gas analyzer includes a sensor cell assembly coupled to a transmitter having electrical circuitry configured to provide an output of the concentration of the gas constituent as sensed by the sensor cell assembly. The combustion gas analyzer also includes a filter substantially enclosing the sensor cell assembly and a conduit coupled to the filter at a first end of the conduit and coupled to a valve assembly at a second end of the conduit. The conduit is used for supplying a calibration gas to the sensor cell assembly or for supplying a blow-back gas used to purge the filter.

Abstract: A process control system includes economic models disposed in communication with process control modules, as well as with sources of economic data, such as cost, throughput and profit data, and uses the economic models to determine useful economic parameters or information associated with the actual operation of the process plant at the time the plant is operating. The economic models can be used to provide financial statistics such as profitability, cost of manufactured product, etc. in real time based on the actual current operating state of the process and the business data associated with the finished product, raw materials, etc. These financial statistics can be used to drive alarms and alerts within the process network and be used as inputs to process plant optimizers, etc. to provide for better or more optimal control of the process and to provide a better understanding of the conditions which lead to maximum profitability of the plant.

Abstract: A combustion gas analyzer for measuring the concentration of a gas constituent in an exhaust gas stream is provided. The gas analyzer includes a sensor cell assembly coupled to a transmitter having electrical circuitry configured to provide an output of the concentration of the gas constituent as sensed by the sensor cell assembly. The combustion gas analyzer also includes a filter substantially enclosing the sensor cell assembly and a conduit coupled to the filter at a first end of the conduit and coupled to a valve assembly at a second end of the conduit. The conduit is used for supplying a calibration gas to the sensor cell assembly or for supplying a blow-back gas used to purge the filter.

Abstract: A control system includes a measurement device capable of gathering high frequency process parameter data, a modeling routine which uses the high frequency parameter data to develop a model of the high frequency noise and a compensation routine that employs the developed model to adjust a control signal to thereby compensate for the high frequency noise present within the process parameter. The measurement device may measure a process variable at a relatively high frequency and send a subset of the measured data (e.g., the low frequency data) to a standard controller that generates a control signal to control the measured process parameter in any known manner. The modeling routine analyzes the high frequency data and develops a mathematical model of the high frequency noise within the process variable.

Abstract: Sulfur resistant sensors and a process analytic system employing such sensors are provided. The sensors generally include a treatment or material that is adapted to increase the resistance of certain portions of the sensors to exposure to sulfur. In one aspect, an improved sulfur-resistant process analytic system includes a probe with one or more sulfur-resistant sensors therein coupled to a controller, a thermal control module, and a source of blowback gas.

Abstract: An appendable system includes a plurality of appendable devices that are adapted to interoperate with each other and/or a workstation via a communication network to monitor and/or control a process. Each of the appendable devices can communicate with one or more sensors and/or control outputs and includes a housing that facilitates mounting of the appendable device to a surface.

Abstract: A sample conditioner system carries a real-time sample of a process gas through a chromatograph column in an analyzer. A flame ionization detector (FID) is coupled to the chromatograph column and generates a temperature output and an output indicating sample ions. A processor generates a real-time process gas analysis and a mass set point. A flow controller controls mass flow of a stream of gas to the FID.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for use with a process control system enables a plurality of process plants associated with different business entities to share a remotely situated data processing facility. The data processing facility includes a cluster of redundant servers that are communicatively coupled via a local network. Each of the redundant servers is adapted to acquire and process data received from the plurality of process plants. The data processing facility also includes a plurality of redundant data historians that are communicatively coupled to each other and to the cluster of redundant servers for storage of process data and analysis results. Each of the plurality of process plants includes internet-enabled field devices, internet-enabled field device interfaces, and/or internet-enabled data concentration nodes that send information to and receive information from the data processing facility via the Internet.

Abstract: A high-temperature probe assembly for a continuous emission monitoring system is provided. The probe assembly includes a sample take-off coupled to a sample source. A length of high-temperature conduit is coupled to the sample take-off. The length of high-temperature conduit is also coupled to a chamber that includes an upper portion disposed above a focussing portion. The focussing portion is shaped to guide matter falling thereon to a drain. A sample probe is disposed within the chamber proximate the upper portion. A method for obtaining a high-temperature sample is also provided.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity includes a generator and an interface. The generator is coupled to the interface and provides data to the interface regarding electricity generation. The interface is coupled to a control node for monitoring and controlling the generator. The control node may be coupled to the generator through a medium such as the internet. In some aspects of the invention, a continuous emissions monitoring system is provided for fossil-fuel based generators to enhance operation and reduce emissions of such generators.

Abstract: A process control system uses a data collection and distribution system and an asset utilization suite to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the process performance monitoring functional areas. This data and information is manipulated in a coordinated manner by the data collection and distribution system and is redistributed to other applications where this it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, area, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem.

Abstract: A neural network control based on a general multi-variable nonlinear dynamic model incorporating time delays is disclosed. The inverse dynamics of the process being controlled is learned represented by a multi-layer neural network which is used as a feedforward control to achieve a specified closed loop response under varying conditions. The weights between the layers in the neural network are adjusted during the learning process. The learning process is based on minimizing the combined error between the desired process value and the actual process output and the error between the desired process value and the inverse process neural network output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized ot produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digerter. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.

Abstract: An on-line system that measures the strength of material within a web without contacting same is disclosed. Two laser sources having beams which impinge upon the web of material are positioned so that their respective beams are spaced a predetermined distance apart. The first laser source induces a radially propagating ultrasonic wave within the material. The ultrasonic wave causes the beam from the second laser source to be reflected and intercepted by a light sensor permitting the velocity of the wave and the strength of the material to be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residue chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the delignification process by monitoring and minimizing variations in the Kappa Number and the digester residual chemical concentration. A parameter representative of the H factor for the delignification process and a measurement of the initial chemical concentration are utilized to produce signals representative of the actual Kappa Number and the residual acid concentration in the digester. The expected perturbations in Kappa Number and the residual chemical concentration are compared with target values for same to produce estimated errors due to mismatch which are compared with actual measured errors for these parameters to produce compensated control errors for same.