Boiler system controlling fuel to a furnace based on temperature of a structure in a superheater section

Abstract

A boiler system is provided comprising: a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases; a fuel supply structure associated with the furnace for supplying fuel to the furnace; a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases; and a controller. The superheater section may comprise a platen including a tube structure with an end portion and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion. The controller may be coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from the sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boiler system comprising:
 a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases;   a fuel supply structure associated with said furnace for supplying fuel to said furnace;   a superheater section associated with said furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases, said superheater section comprising:
 a platen including a tube structure with an end portion; and 
 a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of said tube structure end portion; and 
   a controller coupled to said temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from said sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 1 , wherein said temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple. 
     
     
         3 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 1 , wherein said controller monitors the signal from said temperature sensor for rapid changes in temperature of said tube structure end portion. 
     
     
         4 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 3 , wherein rapid changes in temperature of said tube structure end portion comprises a monotonic increase in temperature of least about 25 degrees F. occurring over a time period of between about one to five minutes and a monotonic decrease in temperature greater than zero in magnitude occurring over a time period of between about one to ten minutes. 
     
     
         5 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 3 , wherein said controller increases an amount of fuel supplied by said supply structure to said furnace after the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         6 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature measuring device for sensing the temperature of the working gases contacting said superheater section and generating a corresponding temperature signal to said controller. 
     
     
         7 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 6 , wherein said controller controls the amount of fuel provided by said supply structure to said furnace such that the temperature of the working gases is below a threshold temperature until the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         8 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 7 , wherein said controller increases an amount of fuel supplied by said supply structure to said furnace after the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         9 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 3 , wherein said controller request an operator to input a tube structure clearing verification signal after the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         10 . A boiler system comprising:
 a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases;   a fuel supply structure associated with said furnace for supplying fuel to said furnace;   a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases, the superheater section comprising:   a platen including a tube structure with an end portion; and   a sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of said tube structure end portion; and   a controller coupled to said sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from said sensor and controlling an amount of fuel provided by said supply structure to said furnace based on the signal.   
     
     
         11 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 10 , wherein said temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple. 
     
     
         12 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 10 , wherein said controller monitors the signal from said temperature sensor for rapid changes in temperature of said tube structure end portion. 
     
     
         13 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 12 , wherein rapid changes in temperature of said tube structure end portion comprises a monotonic increase in temperature of least about 25 degrees F. occurring over a time period of between about one to five minutes and a monotonic decrease in temperature greater than zero in magnitude occurring over a time period of between about one to ten minutes. 
     
     
         14 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 12 , wherein said controller increases an amount of fuel supplied by said supply structure to said furnace after the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         15 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 10 , further comprising a temperature measuring device for sensing the temperature of the working gases contacting said superheater section and generating a corresponding temperature signal to said controller. 
     
     
         16 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 15 , wherein said controller controls the amount of fuel provided by said supply structure to said furnace such that the temperature of the working gases is below a threshold temperature until the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         17 . The boiler system as set out in  claim 16 , wherein said controller increases an amount of fuel supplied by said supply structure to said furnace after the temperature of said tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes. 
     
     
         18 . A process for monitoring a boiler system comprising a furnace for burning a fuel to generate hot working gases, a fuel supply structure for supplying fuel to the furnace, a superheater section comprising a platen including a tube structure with an end portion, and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion, the process comprising;
 monitoring the signal from the sensor, and   controlling an amount of fuel provided to the furnace based on the signal.   
     
     
         19 . The process as set out in  claim 18 , wherein monitoring comprises monitoring the signal from the temperature sensor for rapid changes in temperature of the tube structure end portion. 
     
     
         20 . The process as set out in  claim 19 , wherein controlling comprises increasing an amount of fuel supplied by the supply structure to the furnace after the temperature of the tube structure end portion has experienced rapid changes.