Claims
- 1. Method for optimizing the operation of a multiple burner natural draft combustion zone having a fuel supply, a combustion air supply and through which a conduit containing a process fluid to be heated passes, which comprises:
- (a) increasing the flow rate of said combustion air as necessary to maintain the CO concentration in the flue gas below a predetermined maximum, as necessary to maintain the O.sub.2 concentration in the flue gas above a predetermined minimum, as necessary to maintain the draft in the combustion zone above a predetermined minimum, as necessary to maintain the temperature of the outer surface of said conduit below a predetermined maximum and whenever the rate of increase in the rate at which fuel is supplied to the combustion zone exceeds a predetermined maximum;
- (b) decreasing the flow rate of said combustion air whenever an increase in said combustion air flow rate is not necessary to accomplish step (a); and
- (c) signaling an alarm whenever the CO concentration is above its predetermined maximum and the O.sub.2 concentration is above a predetermined maximum.
- 2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
- signaling an alarm whenever the O.sub.2 concentration is above its predetermined maximum and the draft is below its predetermined minimum; and
- signaling an alarm whenever the O.sub.2 concentration is below its predetermined minimum and the draft is above its predetermined maximum.
- 3. Apparatus for optimizing the operation of a multiple burner combustion zone having a fuel supply, a combustion air supply and through which a conduit containing a process fluid to be heated passes, which comprises:
- (a) means for determining whether any of the following conditions is present: a CO concentration in the flue gas at or above a predetermined maximum, an O.sub.2 concentration in the flue gas at or below a predetermined minimum, a draft in the combustion zone at or below a predetermined minimum, a temperature of the outer surface of said conduit at or above a predetermined maximum, and a rate of increase in the rate at which fuel is supplied to the combustion zone at or above a predetermined maximum;
- (b) means for increasing the flow rate of said combustion air whenever any of said conditions is present and for decreasing the flow rate of said combustion air whenever none of said conditions are present; and
- (c) means for signaling an alarm whenever the CO concentration is above its predetermined maximum and the O.sub.2 concentration is above a predetermined maximum.
- 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising:
- means for signaling an alarm whenever the O.sub.2 concentration is above its predetermined maximum and the draft is below its predetermined minimum; and
- means for signaling an alarm whenever the O.sub.2 concentration is below its predetermined minimum and the draft is above its predetermined maximum.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 972,110, filed on Dec. 21, 1978.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Improving the Efficiency of Industrial Boilers by Microprocessor Content, Takacs, Power 121, 11, 80-83, (1977). |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
972110 |
Dec 1978 |
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