Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: Methods and systems for resonance suppression, can involve measuring signals with one or more sensors, wherein the signals are produced by a combustor associated with an actuator, and receiving at a controller the signals measured by the sensor or sensors. The controller can calculate a damping rate of the combustor. Based on the damping rate, the controller can modulate the actuator if the damping rate falls below a predefined threshold and can continue to modulate the actuator until the damping rate is adjusted and the resonance is suppressed. The sensor can be an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, or another type of sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature of a chemical reaction without measuring a temperature of the chemical reaction. Changes in mass of a chemical reaction are monitored and are used to calculate the temperature of the system. The reaction can be maintained at a desired temperature (T) without measuring the temperature. The disclosed method is useful for reactions that occur at non-equilibrium conditions where any measured temperature would presume steady-state conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for forecasting calibration spectra including a step of providing a machine learning model trained using historical calibration data corresponding to different gas species at different pressures. The computer-implemented method also includes steps of performing a calibration scan of one gas species at one pressure using an analyzer and generating calibration curves for the analyzer corresponding to one or multiple gas species at multiple pressures using the machine learning model and the calibration scan. Thereafter, a spectrum is obtained using the analyzer, and a concentration measurement is generated using the spectrum and at least one of the calibration curves.

Abstract: Combustion heater control systems and methods that include dynamic safety settings. Current operating parameters of the combustion heater are sensed at a plurality of time intervals and converted into a time-varying signal. The time-varying signal is compared to a burner stability envelope indicating when a burner is likely to enter an unstable state. The unstable state may include huffing, flashback, and/or liftoff. When the burner is likely to enter an unstable state, the combustion heater is controlled to prevent the unstable state.

Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.

Abstract: A combustion simulation system is provided. The combustion simulation system can be performed using a computing device operated by a computer user or artist. The computer-implemented method of generating one or more visual representations of a combustion even is provided. The method includes simulating the combustion event, which transforms combustion reactants into combustion products, the combustion event occurring at a reference pressure, automatically determining values of combustion properties, the values of the combustion properties being calculated as a function of a nonzero pressure field, and generating the one or more visual representations of the combustion event based on the values of combustion properties.

Abstract: Frequency imaging of different areas or object in an image is created by a visible light, infrared or other cameras taking multiple sequential images is disclosed. The images are recorded and stacked. Pixels that vary in the images yield time varying data on a pixel by pixel basis. The time varying data is processed to extract pixel by pixel signal spectrum or another similar signal metric. Frequency at each pixel is displayed and distinguished, such as by recoloring the pixels based on spectral power rather than intensity contrast.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using temperature measurements taken from a compact insulated skin thermowell to optimize a pyrolysis reaction are provided. In the present systems and methods, the upstream temperature and the upstream pressure of a pyrolysis reactor is measured through an adiabatic restriction in the inlet manifold of a parallel tube assembly to provide an absolute upstream temperature and an upstream pressure. The downstream temperature of the pyrolysis reactor is also measured following an adiabatic restriction to provide an absolute downstream temperature. The downstream pressure is then determined by multiplying the absolute upstream pressure with the quotient of the downstream temperature divided by the upstream temperature as taken to the power of k/k?1, where k is the ratio of fluid specific heat at constant pressure (Cp) to fluid specific heat at constant volume (Cv).

Abstract: A stockhouse arrangement for a metallurgical furnace includes a set of storage bins granular material; a material feeding device associated with the set of storage bins, the material feeding device being arranged above the set of storage bins and allowing to selectively fill each of the storage bins with granular material; and a raw material feed system to convey raw granular material to the material feeding device, wherein a respective weighing hopper is arranged downstream of each storage bin and including an outlet associated with a feeding gate, and a charge conveying system is provided for collecting and conveying material selectively discharged from the weighing hoppers through their respective feeding gate, the material feeding device being configured to screen raw granular material arriving from the raw material feed system such that only material with desired granulometry is forwarded to the respective bin(s).

Abstract: A apparatus may extract temperature for each region of a feed water and steam system of a thermoelectric power plant with respect to a combustible combination including one or more combustibles, extract one or more vectors for each region from the temperatures extracted for each region, generate one or more combustible clusters, each cluster including one or more combustible combinations having similar properties from the extracted vectors, and extract a characteristic component of a combustible combination that increases or decreases a boiler performance index from among one or more combustible combinations included in the one or more combustible clusters.

Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having process tubes and multiple burners where it is desired to conform the temperatures of the process tubes to selected target temperature criterion. The present method provides a systematic and quantitative approach to determine how to adjust burner flow rates to result in desired tube wall temperatures, for example, using objective functions to decrease the probability that temperatures pertaining to the plurality of process tubes exceed their selected limit temperatures. An objective function can also be used to reduce the excess oxidant requirement for the furnace.

Abstract: A characteristic evaluation device is for a gas turbine that includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine includes a processor. The processor calculates, in gas-turbine characteristics including characteristics of at least one of the compressor, the combustor, and the turbine, a correction value for correcting influence due to environmental conditions in which the gas turbine is placed based on operation data of the gas turbine. The processor also calculates the gas-turbine characteristics corrected based on the correction value, and evaluates the gas turbine by comparing the gas-turbine characteristics after correction with a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A system and method involving actor nodes within a building that is being controlled, to be subscribed to a set of addresses, including one or more addresses that are representative of one or more respective spaces within the building being controlled. Such addresses are referred to as “space addresses.” Each of the actor nodes acts upon received data packets only if a space address is received along with the data packets and the actor node has been subscribed to the space address. Concurrently, one or more sensor nodes in the system are configurable to transmit the one or more space addresses and the data packets. A user device in the system receives commands from a user via a user interface and transmits a set of signals such that the actor nodes are subscribed to the appropriate space addresses and the sensor nodes are configured to transmit the space addresses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling electric and electronic devices. The devices may communicate with each other in a many-to-many, peer-to-peer network to provide control functionality without the need for a central controller. Device-to-device control messages may be implemented over short range, wireless broadcast messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling devices, including controller and actuators are disclosed. Actuators may be devices where remote control of the device or devices is convenient, such as lights, window shades, fans and similar items. In one method, a user sends a command to a controller and to an actuator. The controller also sends a proxy update to a second controller that is also in communication with the actuator. The proxy controller, also in contact with the actuator, now has knowledge of the state or position of the actuator and is in a better position if the proxy controller is asked to assume control of the actuator. In another method, an actuator or controller may also receive a trigger setup, asking the actuator to tell the controller when an action occurs, but not to take action until receiving a further command from the controller.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a sensor and a control circuit. The sensor obtains a thermal pattern formed by a plurality of thermo-elements arranged in an appliance control device, a temperature of heat generated by each of the plurality of thermo-elements being controllable. The control circuit controls an appliance in accordance with the thermal pattern obtained by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes but is not limited to a non-volatile memory array and a processor integrated with the apparatus. The processor is operable to operate in combination with the non-volatile memory array to accumulate information associated with a product. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an ultra-thin inorganic coating on to a packaging film substrate is disclosed. Flame pretreatment enhances the quality of the inorganic coating. Multiple coating layers may be deposited onto the substrate by passing the substrate over various one or more flame head configurations in either a stand-alone or in-line manufacturing environment.

Abstract: A key state detector for a vehicle collects a sequence of battery voltage samples and applies a time-domain to frequency-domain transform (TFT) to the collected samples. The results of the TFT are then applied to an artificial neural network (ANN) to determine if they represent a key-on or key-off state. The ANN is trained based on data collected from the vehicle and is periodically retrained so that the detection of key-on and key-off states conforms to the particular vehicle and tracks the aging of vehicle components.

Abstract: There is provided a control device for an internal combustion engine. An electricity generator is configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine. A battery is configured to store electricity generated by the electricity generator. A discharge amount detection section is configured to detect a discharge amount of the battery. An automatic stop control section is configured to automatically stop the internal combustion engine when the discharge amount is a first setting value or less. A continuous discharge amount detection section is configured to detect a continuous discharge amount of the battery based on the discharge amount. An automatic stop prohibition section is configured to prohibit an automatic stop when the continuous discharge amount is a second setting value or more, which is lower than the first setting value.

Abstract: A monitor for a vehicle displays multiple language choices upon the operation or activation of one or more devices (usually buttons). When a language choice is made, the monitor displays all subsequent screens in the selected language.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control system that includes at least a gas appliance; a repeater, and a remote control device. The gas appliance is connected to the repeater through a Zigbee transmission, and the remote control device is connected to the repeater through a network (internet or telecommunication network). User inputs a command at the remote control device, and the remote control device transmits the command to the repeater through the network, and then the repeater will control the gas appliance according to the command. The gas appliance is provided with sensors to detect data in regards to the gas appliance. The data is transmitted to the remote control device and shown on a screen through the repeater and the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote wireless communication control system for submerged arc furnace reactive compensation. The system includes a remote wireless communication control machine and a submerged arc furnace reactive compensation device. The remote wireless communication control machine further includes a MS-RSCM302 security communication module integrated with a MS-3G network communication module, and a MS-NC2 serial port conversion module. The submerged arc furnace reactive compensation device includes a control cabinet and a capacitance automatic compensation cabinet. The control cabinet comprises a MS-RSCM302 security communication module, a MS-NC2 serial port conversion module, a DVPEH2 PLC controller, a programmable multi-function network instrument and a touch screen; while the capacitance automatic compensation cabinet comprises multiple compensation units.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing a chemical loop system includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters in a chemical loop. The sensors are disposed on or in a conduit positioned in the chemical loop. The sensors generate one or more data signals representative of an amount of solids in the conduit. The control system includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensors and a controller in communication with the data acquisition system. The data acquisition system receives the data signals and the controller generates the control signals. The controller is in communication with one or more valves positioned in the chemical loop. The valves are configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods of removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, systems for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, vehicles, methods of managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle, and computer software program products for managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for beneficiation of fly ash particles comprising: determining the heat value of the fly ash particles; comparing the determined heat value of the fly ash particles with a minimum heat value K; feeding an inlet of a combustor (5) with a feed material comprising the fly ash particles and, in case the determined heat value is lower than the minimum heat value K, fuel in sufficient quantity to assure that the heat value of the raw material is greater than or equal to the minimum heat value K; supplying an upstream airflow to the combustor (5) so as to carry the feed material in suspension from the inlet to an outlet of the combustor; operating the combustor (5) at a temperature of at least 700° C.; collecting beneficiated fly ash particles from the airflow at the outlet of the combustor (5). The invention also concerns an installation for implementation of the said method.

Abstract: A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or state of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler.

Abstract: A data logging device tracks the operation of a vehicle or driver actions. The device includes a storage device, which may be removable or portable, having a first memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in a vehicle and a second memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in the vehicle. The second memory portion may retain data attributes associated with the data stored in the first removable storage device. A processor reads data from an automotive bus that transfers data from vehicle sensors to other automotive components. The processor writes data to the first memory portion and the second memory portion that reflect a level of risk or safety. A communication device links the storage device to a network of computers. The communication device may be accessible through software that allows a user to access files.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing and controlling the particle size distribution and scale-up of production of nanoparticle in an aerosol flame reactor. The method provides nanoparticles with desired, optimized and controlled particle size and the specific surface area in aerosol reactors using a simulation tool with programmed instructions. The simulation tool couples flame dynamics model and particle population balance model.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for controlling fuel cell operating characteristics. In certain situations, the operating efficiency of fuel cells is degraded to external conditions. Providing a method and apparatus to control operating conditions for the fuel cell assists in improving the operating efficiency. This can be achieved by controlling certain environmental conditions, such as temperature and relatively humidity, in the area surrounding the fuel cell.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing a chemical loop system includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters in a chemical loop. The sensors are disposed on or in a conduit positioned in the chemical loop. The sensors generate one or more data signals representative of an amount of solids in the conduit. The control system includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensors and a controller in communication with the data acquisition system. The data acquisition system receives the data signals and the controller generates the control signals. The controller is in communication with one or more valves positioned in the chemical loop. The valves are configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop.

Abstract: A method is provided for the measurement of parameters of a gas present in a gas turbine combustion chamber. The method includes tuning a laser to a range containing the absorption lines of species to be analyzed in the gas, and directing the laser light through the combustion chamber and detecting laser light reflected off boundary walls of the combustion chamber. In order to analyze the absorption spectrum measured at high temperatures and pressures, a signature recognition algorithm is applied to the spectrum. The measured absorption spectrum is cross-correlated with a calibration absorption model spectrum for the absorption lines at several temperatures, pressures, and concentrations generated prior to the measurement. Values for pressure, temperature, and concentrations of selected species in the gas are determined simultaneously allowing direct control of the combustion chamber process. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: An intelligently controlled catalytic converter automatically monitors various operating parameters, such as water jacket temperature, catalytic input temperature, catalytic converter output temperature, oxygen level, ambient temperature, ambient humidity and/or ambient barometric air pressure, of a biofuel-fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and electric heaters in the device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods of removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, systems for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, vehicles, methods of managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle, and computer software program products for managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing a chemical loop system includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters in a chemical loop. The sensors are disposed on or in a conduit positioned in the chemical loop. The sensors generate one or more data signals representative of an amount of solids in the conduit. The control system includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensors and a controller in communication with the data acquisition system. The data acquisition system receives the data signals and the controller generates the control signals. The controller is in communication with one or more valves positioned in the chemical loop. The valves are configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop.

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 system for optimizing and controlling a circulating fluidized bed combustion (FBC) system (7) and an air pollution control (APC) system (9) includes a controller (205, 305, 406) and an optimizer (210, 310). The controller (205, 305, 406) is connected to the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9). The optimizer (210, 310) is connected to the controller (205, 305, 406). The optimizer (210, 310) provides an optimized setpoint (220, 320, 420) to the controller (205, 305, 406) based on an economic parameter (235, 335, 435) and system outputs (230, 330) from the FBC system (7) and the APC system (9). The controller (205, 305, 406) provides an optimized input (215, 315) to the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9) based on the optimized setpoint (220, 320, 420) from the optimizer (210, 310) to optimize operation of the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9).

Abstract: A method stores multiple sets of consecutive images of a burner, determines a number of unburned-state images in each set of consecutive images, and determines a threshold number of the unburned-state images in each set of consecutive images for determining whether or not the burner works abnormally. When the burner is turned on, the method sends a first control signal to turn on a camera and receives a set of real-time consecutive images of the burner captured by the camera. The method determines whether or not a number of unburned-state images in the set of real-time consecutive images is less than the threshold number. If the number is equal to or more than the threshold number, the burner works abnormally and a security device connected to the burner is turned off to prevent gas from flowing to the burner.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field tuning and detection apparatus generates in to a material space and in at least two different directions radio frequency electromagnetic fields adapted to resonate in different directions at a different frequency on the basis of a material insertable into the material space; and a signal processing unit configured to determine a moisture content of the material on the basis of a resonance frequency of each electromagnetic field and quality of each resonance in different directions. While controlling a process, a control system comprises a measurement chamber and an electromagnetic field tuning and detection apparatus placed on each material feed line of the process. A controller may control the process on the basis of each determined moisture content on each feed line.

Abstract: A system for boiler control is provided. The system includes supply units to provide supplies of combustion materials for combustion thereof, a vessel coupled to the supply units in which the combustion materials are combusted, a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor disposed at an outlet of the vessel to sense a quantity of exhaust CO output from the vessel as a product of combustion therein and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the supply units and the sensor and configured to issue a main servo command and a pulse servo command to one or more of the supply units to control operations of the one or more supply units in accordance with the sensed quantity of the exhaust CO.

Abstract: A storage medium stores a program which, when executed by a controller, causes the controller to control a boiler group including boilers each of which has a plurality of stepwise combustion positions. The program includes the steps of calculating a number of a presently combustion shiftable boilers, a number of their combustion positions, or a gross evaporation quantity, calculating a deviation quantity between a set physical quantity and a present time physical quantity, calculating a ratio between the deviation quantity and a control width that corresponding to the set physical quantity, and calculating the combustion subject boilers and their combustion positions based on the number of the combustion shiftable boilers, the number of their combustion positions, or the gross evaporation quantity and the ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods of removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, systems for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, vehicles, methods of managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle, and computer software program products for managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing simultaneous nucleic acid amplification and detection. The systems and methods comprise methods for managing a plurality of protocols in conjunction with directing a sensor array across each of a plurality of reaction chambers. In certain embodiments, the protocols comprise thermocycling profiles and the methods may introduce offsets and duration extensions into the thermocycling profiles to achieve more efficient detection behavior.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods of removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, systems for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, vehicles, methods of managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle, and computer software program products for managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method according to which exhaust is directed from a stationary exhaust source and through a burner, and a combustible fluid is vented from at least one combustible fluid source other than the stationary exhaust source. The combustible fluid is captured and directed to flow from the combustible fluid source and towards the burner, and at least air is mixed with the captured combustible fluid to form a mixture. The mixture is introduced into the burner and burned therein to thereby pre-heat the exhaust flowing therethrough. The pre-heated exhaust contacts a catalyst.

Abstract: A reformer having improved performance and stability and a reformer control method, the reformer including a reforming reaction unit, a first sensor, a heat source unit, a second sensor, and a flow control unit. The reforming reaction unit converts a first fuel into a reformate. The first sensor senses a first temperature of the reformate generated from the reforming reaction unit. The heat source unit heats the reforming reaction unit with a combustion heat of a second fuel. The second sensor senses a second temperature at a fuel inlet of the heat source unit. The flow control unit controls a temperature of the reformate by regulating a flow of an oxidizer supplied to the heat source unit based on the first temperature, and controls a temperature of the heat source unit by regulating a flow of the second fuel supplied to the heat source unit based on the second temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an advanced control system for steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces, especially steam methane reformer furnaces. As described herein, the advanced control system may improve the control quality and efficiency of adjusting steam hydrocarbon reformer furnaces operating coefficients. As a result, the steam hydrocarbon reformer furnace operations become more stable, resulting in energy savings and improved furnace yield.

Abstract: A method is provided for commissioning a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The method includes the step of mapping a plurality of sets of coordinated servo positions for the fuel flow control device and the air flow control device at a plurality of selected firing rate points between a minimum firing rate and a maximum firing rate by using an algorithm and an iterative process to identify the coordinated air and fuel actuator positions instead of a trial and error method.

Abstract: An exhausting method includes determining an exhaust flow rate of a process gas to be a predetermined value that is less than or equal to a gas flow rate corresponding to a maximum process capability of a purification system when the process gas is diluted to a lower explosive limit; calculating a pressure drop amount per unit time to maintain the determined exhaust flow rate of the process gas, based on a relation between the exhaust flow rate and the pressure drop amount per unit time; and evacuating an inside of the chamber to maintain the determined exhaust flow rate, while controlling the pressure through an automatic pressure control valve by setting a target pressure value to be updated as a control value of the automatic pressure control valve at every predetermined time interval so as to achieve a calculated pressure drop amount per unit time.