Automatic furnace-system and method for automatically maintaining a multiburner furnace
The Automatic Furnace is a method and apparatus for maintaining a desired CO, NO, or temperature range at the flue of a multiburner furnace to increase efficiency and decrease pollution and includes delivering a second oxidant dosage to the burner while repeatedly sequencing through the plurality of sequential flue parameter doses beginning with the first flue parameter dose and proceeding to an adjacent flue parameter dose in the sequence after a predetermined time interval has elapsed. The second oxidant dosage is delivered until the flue parameter level attains the desirable range, at which point corresponding oxidant and flue parameter doses are selected from the plurality of sequential oxidant doses and flue parameter doses. The method also includes delivering the selected oxidant dose and flue parameter dose so as to maintain the desired flue parameter range.
Adolph Mondry—System and method for automatically maintaining a blood oxygenation level. U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,877, Nov. 4, 1997—herein referred to as 877. The flow charts of that device are similar to those of the Voltage Dosimeter.
Adolph Mondry—The Voltage Dosimeter—System and method for supplying variable voltage to an electric circuit. P. N. application number not yet available. The flow charts of that device are identical to that of the Automatic Furnace.
Lawrence E Bolo et al—Combustion in a multiburner furnace with selective oxygen flow. P.N. application Kind Code A1 20030091948, May 15, 2003. Describes multiburner furnace technology.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH GRANTSThere are no Federally sponsored research grants available to those involved in the research and development of this device.
BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTIONMultiburner Furnaces provide heat and energy. With recent improvements in furnace design the ratio of combustants to oxidants yield lower levels of flue carbon monoxide (CO) in a less fuel rich burn, producing less ash and greater efficiency; less flue nitrogen monoxide (NO) in a less fuel lean burn, producing less pollution; and, flue temperature balancing CO and NO. Day to day use may undo these improvements at a cost. It is desirable to have a device available, which automatically controls and prolongs these improvements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to control CO, NO, or temperature in the flue of a multiburner furnace to produce and deliver appropriate oxidants to the combustants at the burners to increase efficiency and decrease pollution. It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which will prolong all improvements.
In carrying out the above objects and other stated objects and features of the present invention a method and apparatus is provided as an Automatic Furnace for maintaining a desired CO, NO, or temperature range at the flue (referred to as flue parameters) of a multiburner furnace. and includes delivering a first oxidant (oxygen or air) dose to the combustant/oxidants at the burners of a multiburner furnace of any design producing a sequential flue parameter dose selected from one of a plurality of sequential flue parameter doses between a first flue parameter dose and a second flue parameter dose. The method includes delivering a second oxidant dosage to the burner while repeatedly sequencing through the plurality of sequential flue parameter doses beginning with the first flue parameter dose and proceeding to an adjacent flue parameter dose in the sequence after a predetermined time interval has elapsed. The second oxidant dosage is delivered until the flue parameter level attains the desirable range, at which point corresponding oxidant doses and flue parameter doses are selected from the plurality of oxidant doses and the plurality of sequential flue parameter doses. The method also includes delivering the selected oxidant dose and flue parameter dose so as to maintain the desired flue parameter range.
In the preferred embodiment the method and apparatus employs CO as the sole flue parameter. The other flue parameters may be employed as well.
The advantages of the Automatic Furnace are minimal needs for furnace shut downs, less pollution, more efficiency, and a reduction in the cost of running and maintaining a multiburner furnace.
The above objects, features, and other advantages will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 3/3-5/6 are flow charts dealing with the oxidant dosage and CO dosage strategy of the present invention for use in the Automatic Furnace.
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In response to flue parameter sensor 7 data, oxidant flow rates at the inlets 11 are controlled by an ECU 9 controlled variably opening solenoid valve 10 with Coulomb controlling circuits, as was taught in 877 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,773. They enhance or restrict combustion at the burners 2.
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Line CG is the desired CO level—herein referred to as the selection parameter, which is a range in the actual device. At the intersection of line CG and curve A or B (call it X), line D points to point E on the abscissa as the selected oxidant dose. This is determined by graphical means and, as will be seen, the flow charts. The virtual CO dosage in Vol % is curve F, which activates at point E, the selected oxidant flow rate, and is boosted by curves A, B, H—an overshoot of curve A—and curve I—a deactivation of curve H—to produce line G, which is the selected CO level, is also a CO dosage, and is represented by y=log to the base b of tr, where tr is the t value of the flattening out of the logarithm y=log to the base b of t (curve F) at tr seconds. Line G is completely determined by the intersection (X) described above and in the flow charts, as will be seen, thus the determination of curve F and line G by the above methods is unnecessary. Curve F and line G start in the x coordinate system at x=t and in the t coordinate system at t=0, when curve A deactivates. Curve F and line G deactivate when curve A activates. Curve J is the virtual curve of curves A and H. K marks the Circulation time. It marks the time from the initial oxidant gas flow rate to the first recording of any change in the CO dosage or level. Its accuracy is essential for proper flow chart function with respect to time. Its calculation and that of tr will be demonstrated. The oxidant dose is circulation time dependent. The CO dose is not, since it is a function of time.
Before describing the flow charts it is useful to explain the terminology employed. The most recent base state keeps CO in its desirable range. The oxidant flow rate and CO level are measured in all states. The washout state washes out overshoots. It also determines the selected CO dose and oxidant flow rate, as will be seen. CO doses are functions of oxidant flow rates.
Referring now to FIGS. 3/6-5/6, flow charts are shown, which illustrate the system and method for the proper selection of oxidant flow rates and CO doses.
Referring to
- MIN R=minimum dose of oxidant flow rate given for each range.
- MAX R=maximum dose of oxidant flow rate given for each range.
- CO=level in Vol %
- TCO1=desired CO level.
- dL=low CO level threshold.
- dH=high CO level threshold.
- Tss=series state delay time.
- Tcirc=circulation delay time.
- Twash=washout delay time.
- tr=desired response time or reaction time
- The value of dH and dL are determined by the current operating state.
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Claims
1. A method for maintaining a desired flue parameter level of a multiburner furnace within a predetermined range of sequential values having an upper limit and a lower limit so as to produce and deliver appropriate oxidants to the combustants at the burners to increase efficiency and decrease pollution, the method being adapted for use with an Automatic Furnace, including an electronic control unit (ECU) having memory, a multiburner furnace, a flue parameter sensor, an oxidant delivery system controlled by the ECU for delivering selected oxidant doses to the combustants at the burners producing oxidant doses at the burners and sequential flue parameter doses in the flue, the Automatic Furnace having a plurality of oxidant and sequential flue parameter doses ranging from a first dose to a second dose, the method comprising:
- delivering the second oxidant dose to the burners and the second flue parameter dose to the flue, while repeatedly sequencing through the plurality of sequential flue parameter doses beginning with the first dose and proceeding to an adjacent dose in the sequence after a predetermined time interval has elapsed until the flue parameter level of the Automatic Furnace attains the desired flue parameter level at which point a corresponding oxidant dosage and flue parameter dose are selected from the plurality of sequential oxidant and flue parameter doses;
- delivering the selected oxidant and flue parameter doses so as to maintain the flue parameter level in its desired range.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein CO is the flue parameter.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the current circulation time is determined by:
- means for storing a predetermined number of base state values in memory; and
- means for determining a predetermined sequence of base state levels.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the reaction time is determined by logic flow charts.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein temperature is the flue parameter.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein NO is the flue parameter.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein compressed gaseous air is the oxidant.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein compressed oxygen gas is the oxidant.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the combustant is solid, liquid, or gas.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the combustant is a hydrocarbon.
11. A method for maintaining a desired flue parameter level of a multiburner furnace within a predetermined range of sequential values having an upper limit and a lower limit so as to produce and deliver appropriate oxidants to the combustants at the burners to increase efficiency and decrease pollution, the method being adapted for use with an Automatic Furnace, including an electronic control unit (ECU) having memory, a multiburner furnace, a flue parameter sensor, an oxidant delivery system controlled by the ECU for delivering a selected oxidant dose to the combustants at the burners, the oxidant delivery system having a plurality of sequential oxidant and flue parameter doses ranging from a first dose to a second dose, the method comprising:
- delivering the second oxidant dose to the burners, while sequencing through the plurality of sequential oxidant doses beginning with the first oxidant dose and proceeding to an adjacent oxidant dose in the sequence after a predetermined time interval has elapsed until the flue parameter level of the Automatic Furnace attains the desired flue parameter level at which point a corresponding oxidant dosage is selected from the plurality of sequential oxidant doses.
- delivering the selected oxidant dose so as to maintain the flue parameter level in its desired range.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein CO is the flue parameter.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the current circulation time is determined by:
- means for storing a predetermined number of base state values in memory; and
- means for determining a predetermined sequence of base state levels.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the reaction time is determined by logic flow charts.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein temperature is the flue parameter.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein NO is the flue parameter.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the oxidant is compressed gaseous air.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the oxidant is compressed oxygen gas.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the combustants are solid, liquid, or gas.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein the combustants are hydrocarbons.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 27, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2005
Inventor: Adolph Mondry (Plymouth, MI)
Application Number: 10/765,637