Intelligent Temperature Controller for Biofuel-Fired Burner

Abstract

A controller monitors temperature in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bio-fuel fire control system comprising:
 a first port configured to be coupled to a temperature sensor and to receive from the temperature sensor a signal indicating a temperature of exhaust gas from a bio-fuel fire;   a second port configured to be coupled to an air handler that supplies air to the bio-fuel fire and to supply to the air handler a control signal that controls a rate at which the air handler supplies air to the bio-fuel fire; and   a controller coupled to the first and second ports and configured to automatically:
 repeatedly receive, via the first port, the signal indicating the temperature of the exhaust gas, thereby receiving a series of temperature level samples; and 
 for each temperature level sample of at least some of the series of temperature level samples:
 compare the temperature level sample to a first predetermined value; and 
 when, as a result of the comparison, the temperature level sample is found to be less than the first predetermined value:
 generate a control signal configured to cause the air handler to increase the rate at which the air handler supplies air to the bio-fuel fire; and 
 send, via the second port, the generated control signal to the air handler. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A bio-fuel fire control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined value is about 213° F. 
     
     
         3 . A bio-fuel fire control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically calculate a temperature at which moisture is exhausted by the exhaust gas from the bio-fuel fire and set the first predetermined value to the calculated temperature.