System and method for control and optimization of a pulverized coal boiler system

Abstract

A control system, and method for using the same, for controlling a boiler having a furnace is provided. The system includes at least one camera positioned in visual communication with a combustion chamber in a furnace. The camera is in communication with a controller and is operable to transmit signals indicative of a parameter of a flame within the furnace. Based at least in part on the received signals, the controller generates control adjustments for one or more of the boiler components. The control adjustments are communicated to the boiler components, which in turn are adjusted to optimize the performance of the boiler and reduce pollution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for controlling a boiler having a furnace, the control system comprising:
 at least one camera positioned within the furnace, the at least one camera being operable to transmit signals indicative of a parameter of a flame within the furnace;   a controller in communication with the at least one camera, the controller being operable to receive signals transmitted by the at least one camera;   a control component forming part of, or in communication with, the boiler, the control component further being in communication with the controller;   software executing on the controller for determining an adjustment for the control component based at least in part on the received signals indicative of a parameter of a flame within the furnace.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the boiler is an air-fired pulverized coal boiler. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the boiler is an oxy-fired pulverized coal boiler. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one camera includes two or more cameras positioned at different locations within the furnace, each of the cameras being operable to transmit signals indicative of a parameter of a flame within the furnace,
 wherein the controller is operable to generate a multi-dimensional image of the parameter of the flame within the furnace.   
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to map combustion temperatures within the furnace based at least in part on the signals received from the at least one camera. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to map emissivities within the furnace based at least in part on the signals received from the at least one camera. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control at least one input parameter of the boiler based on the signals received from the at least one camera. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control at least one output parameter of the boiler based on the signals received from the at least one camera. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the camera comprises a CCD. 
     
     
         10 . A method for controlling a boiler having a furnace, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning at least one camera in the furnace;   receiving an image of a flame with said at least one camera;   determining a component adjustment based at least in part on the received image;   controlling a component based at least in part on the component adjustment.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the boiler is an air-fired pulverized coal boiler. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the boiler is an oxy-fired pulverized coal boiler. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of:
 generating a multi-dimensional image of the parameter of the flame within the furnace.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of
 mapping combustion temperatures within the furnace based at least in part on the signals received from the at least one camera.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of
 mapping emissivities within the furnace based at least in part on the signals received from the at least one camera.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of:
 controlling at least one input parameter of the boiler based on the signals received from the at least one camera.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of:
 controlling at least one output parameter of the boiler based on the signals received from the at least one camera.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the camera comprises a CCD.