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Patent 2863911 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2863911
(54) English Title: A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A COMBUSTION AND/OR GASIFICATION DEVICE
(54) French Title: PROCEDE DE REGLAGE D'UNE INSTALLATION DE COMBUSTION ET/OU DE GAZEIFICATION
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • F23N 5/08 (2006.01)
  • F23C 9/00 (2006.01)
  • F23H 1/02 (2006.01)
  • F23L 1/02 (2006.01)
  • F23N 3/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • HASELGRUBLER, MANFRED (Austria)
  • MADLSPERGER, WOLFGANG (Austria)
(73) Owners :
  • CHRISTOF GLOBAL IMPACT LTD. (United Kingdom)
(71) Applicants :
  • CHRISTOF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT GMBH (Austria)
(74) Agent: MARKS & CLERK
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2017-02-28
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2012-12-04
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2013-07-18
Examination requested: 2014-12-19
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/EP2012/074343
(87) International Publication Number: WO2013/104464
(85) National Entry: 2014-08-06

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
A19/2012 Austria 2012-01-11

Abstracts

English Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a combustion or gasification device (VB) for small-sized solid fuels (BS) with a spreader feeder (WB). The device (VB) has at least one combustion chamber (BK) and a grate (R) with at least two grate zones, in particular a combustion or gasification zone and a burnout zone, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the grate (R). A flame edge (GK) is formed in one of the grate zones, in particular in the burnout zone. In the method according to the invention, an actual position of the flame edge (GK) is monitored (1) using at least one optical camera (K). If the actual position of the flame edge (GK) deviates from a target position, the supply (LV1, LV2) of air, in particular a primary air quantity (PL1, PL2) and/or a primary recirculation quantity (RL1, RL2), into the combustion chamber (BK) is modified (2, 3) in a controlled manner. The method is advantageous in that an air quantity required for a complete burnout of ash (A) in the combustion chamber (BK) is automatically controlled and optimized. Thus, the combustion or gasification device (VB) can react to changing burnout properties in the event of changing fuel properties in an automatic and simple manner. Fig. 1


French Abstract

Procédé de réglage d'une installation de combustion ou de gazéification (VB) pour combustibles solides (BS) en petits morceaux à alimentation par projection (WB). Ladite installation (VB) comporte au moins une chambre de combustion (BK) et une grille (R) présentant au moins deux zones, en particulier une zone de combustion ou de gazéification et une zone de postcombustion, qui sont situées dans la direction longitudinale de la grille (R). Une limite d'incandescence (GK) est formée dans une des zones de la grille, en particulier dans la zone de post-combustion. Selon un procédé de la présente invention, une position de consigne (15) de la limite d'incandescence (GK) est surveillée (1) à l'aide d'au moins une caméra optique (K). En cas d'écart entre la position réelle de la limite d'incandescence (GK) et une position de consigne, une modification réglée de l'apport en air (LV1, LV2), en particulier d'une quantité d'air primaire (PL1, PL2) et/ou d'une quantité d'air de recirculation primaire (RL1, RL2), est opérée (2, 3) dans la chambre de combustion (BK). Ledit procédé présente l'avantage de permettre le réglage et l'optimisation automatiques d'une quantité d'air nécessaire pour une combustion complète des cendres (A) dans la chambre de combustion (BK). Ladite installation de combustion ou de gazéification (VB) peut ainsi réagir de manière automatique et simple à des propriétés de post-combustion variables dues à des propriétés de combustible variables. Fig. 1 30

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A method for controlling a combustion and/or gasification device for
solid
fuels having a throw-feeder, wherein the combustion and/or gasification device

comprises at least one combustion chamber and a grate with at least two grate
zones which are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the grate, and wherein
a
glowing fire edge is formed during combustion in one of the grate zones, the
method comprising:
monitoring an actual position of the glowing fire edge by at least one
optical camera taking photographs, and
carrying out a controlled change in an amount of an air supply to the
combustion chamber in the case of a deviation of the actual position of the
glowing fire edge from a target position.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out in an
amount of a primary air and/or an amount of primary recirculation air.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a processor is used for an
analysis of the photographs, which processor is connected to the optical
camera.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the analysis of
the photographs and thus an analysis of the actual position of the glowing
fire
edge is performed via colour evaluation.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein colour evaluation is conducted
via
virtual sensors, based on at least three states, depending on the determined
actual colour values, which virtual sensors are arranged in rows.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the at least three states
comprise
a positive state, a warning state and an error state.

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7. A method
according to claim 5 or 6, wherein actual colour values of small
image sections of the photographs are compared by the virtual sensors with
predetermined reference colour values for said image sections, a respective
sensor is set to the error state upon exceeding a freely definable limit value
by a
colour difference between the actual colour value and the reference colour
value,
and the actual position of the glowing fire edge is determined by an
evaluation of
the individual sensor states.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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Description
A method for controlling a combustion and/or gasification device
Background of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of combustion and/or
gasification devices, especially for the thermal utilisation of different
solid fuels.
The present invention especially relates to a method for controlling a
combustion
and/or gasification device for small-size solid fuels with throw-feeding. A
combustion and/or gasification device comprises at least one combustion or
gasification chamber and a grate with at least two grate zones (e.g. a
combustion or gasification zone as a first zone and a burnout zone as the
second
zone), which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the grate. A so-
called
glowing fire edge is formed in one of the grate zones, especially in the so-
called
burnout zone.
Description of the prior art
Combustion and/or gasification devices for the thermal utilisation of
different
solid fuels are used for example for cogeneration in the industrial field
and/or by
local communities. Residual matter (e.g. wood, rejects, fibrous paper
material,
conditioned waste, dried sewage sludge, special (ecological) fuels etc) is
used for
example as solid fuels, which would otherwise be disposed of as waste in waste

incineration plants. Such devices are used for example in the paper industry
for
producing electrical power and/or steam for drying cardboard, by local
authorities for generating sustainable power from biomass waste or for the
disposal of sewage sludge from sewage plants or in installations for the
incineration gasification of biomass.
The combustion or gasification of solid fuels, which are introduced into the
combustion or gasification device for example in small-sized form by way of
introduction by throwing (i.e. so-called throw-feeding), usually occurs on a
grate.
During throw-feeding the mostly small-size solid fuel is introduced by means
of a
so-called throw-feeder or throw-wheel into a combustion or gasification
chamber,
and it is thus distributed evenly over the grate.
At least two zones are formed on the grate, which are arranged in the
longitudinal direction of the grate. A so-called combustion zone or
gasification
zone is thus produced, which assumes approximately 4/5 of the grate area, and
a so-called burnout zone, which assumes 1/5 of the grate area. The combustion

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or gasification zone is characterized by constant combustion over a large
area.
The fuel is incinerated or gasified in said zone from the top to the bottom.
New
fuel is regularly introduced by scattering into the zone, which drops into a
burning environment and ignites immediately. No fuel is thrown onto the
burnout
zone. The burnout zone is thus characterized by a so-called glowing fire edge,

after which the glowing fire extinguishes, wherein the temperature and the
colour of the ash after the glowing fire edge decrease rapidly. Only the
burnout
of the ash occurs there, which is then discharged to a so-called ash
discharge.
A control of such a combustion or gasification device occurs in form of
feedback
control of a supplied air quantity, e.g. in form of so-called primary,
secondary
and tertiary air. An air quantity to be introduced is controlled for example
depending on a power requirement, a water content of the fuel and measured
reaction parameters (e.g. temperature above the grate, temperature at the end
of the burnout zone etc). In addition, a ratio of the so-called primary air to
a so-
called primary recirculation air quantity and to a so-called secondary
recirculation
air is additionally controlled by means of these parameters. The so-called
primary air is understood to be the air quantity which is supplied directly
beneath
a grate zone. In a combustion or gasification device (such as a bed
gasification
device for example), the supply of the primary air usually occurs from beneath

the grate and thus has a relevant influence on the combustion or gasification
on
the grate and thus on the burnout. The so-called secondary air is usually
supplied from above and is used for a so-called post-oxidation of the gases
produced on the grate for example. The recirculation air quantity is
understood
to be the quantity of exhaust gases or flue gases (e.g. from introduced
primary
air etc) by means of which combustion or gasification processes can be further

optimised by means of recirculation. The entire air quantity (e.g. primary
air,
primary recirculation air) for the feedback control of the combustion or
gasification can be emitted in this process in a single zone beneath the grate
for
example. It is also possible to introduce the air (e.g. primary air, primary
recirculation air) specific to the zones. If the grate is physically
subdivided in the
longitudinal direction into at least two zones for example, these zones can be

supplied separately with such air.
The feedback control of the air supply intends to achieve constant combustion
conditions in the combustion zone or constant gasification conditions in the
gasification zone of the grate and complete burnout of the ash (e.g. a
residual
carbon content of less than 1%). The respective feedback control of the air
supply further intends to prevent that glowing ash is conveyed into the ash
discharge. In order to prevent conveyance of glowing ash into the ash
discharge,
continuous monitoring and control of a position of the glowing fire edge is

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necessary. Such control of the glowing fire edge is currently performed
manually
for example. This means the position is monitored by the operators during
regular inspections for example and the supply of air is then readjusted
according to the position of the glowing fire edge. Such a procedure is very
cumbersome, work-intensive and optionally imprecise because the operators
need to monitor the glowing fire edge precisely and respective measures need
to
be initiated partly in a manual way, wherein the glowing fire edge needs to be

checked again precisely.
In the case of conventional grate combustion or grate incineration, in which
the
fuel is introduced via a slide-in system for example and is incinerated on the

grate (usually without formation of a specific glowing fire edge), systems for

monitoring the combustion chamber are used. In the case of these systems, the
fuel needs to be heated first before it will ignite approximately in the
middle of
the grate and will start to burn. Locally high temperatures occur as a result
of
the combustion in the relatively narrow space, as a result of which large
amounts
of slag are formed on the grate, which slag - which is still partly glowing in
its
interior - is then quenched in a water bed in the slag discharge.
In the case of these systems, a temperature profile is measured over the grate

by means of a thermal camera (e.g. via infrared measurement) and respective
feedback control processes, especially for local air supply, are derived from
this
temperature profile. These systems come with the disadvantage however that
such thermal or infrared cameras are relatively expensive and their use is
very
complex, especially for determining or controlling the glowing fire edge
position,
since a position of the glowing fire edge needs to be derived from the
temperature profile by means of a respectively complex follow-up treatment.
So-called furnace-chamber or combustion-chamber cameras can further be used
in industrial incineration devices such as waste incineration plants for
monitoring
the temperature distribution or flame image and thus a glowing fire edge. A
glowing fire edge can be determined by means of such combustion-chamber
cameras via respective evaluation units, or it can be determined whether the
glowing fire edge is situated within a target area. Such cameras are
(infrared)
cameras which are especially arranged for the conditions in an incineration
device. The use of such (infrared) cameras for determining the glowing fire
edge
position is expensive and requires much effort however.
Summary of the invention
The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for
controlling a combustion and/or gasification device for solid fuels, in which
a

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position of a glowing fire edge can be determined in a simple and cost-
effective
way and is used for respective control.
This object is achieved by a method of the kind mentioned above in which an
actual position of the glowing fire edge is monitored with at least one
optical
camera. In the case of a deviation of the actual position of the glowing fire
edge
from a target position, a controlled change in the air supply, especially a so-

called primary air quantity and/or a so-called primary recirculation quantity,
is
carried out in a combustion chamber of the combustion or gasification device.
The main aspect of the solution proposed in accordance with the invention is
that
an actual position of the glowing fire edge is determined in a simple way.
Depending on the determined actual position of the glowing fire edge or the
deviation of the glowing fire edge from the target position, a respective
change in
the air supply is carried out. In this process, the entire air supply (i.e.
primary
and primary recirculation air quantity) can be increased or decreased, or it
is also
possible to perform a decrease in the primary air quantity in combination with
an
increase in the recirculation air quantity, or an increase in the primary air
quantity in combination with a decrease in the recirculation air quantity, in
order
to shift the fire glowing edge in the direction towards the target position.
As a
result, a burnout of the ash is thus automated in a simple and cost-effective
manner, the air quantity respectively required for this purpose (e.g. primary
air,
recirculation air) is optimised and a complete burnout of the ash (e.g.
residual
carbon content of less than 1%) is ensured. It is additionally prevented that
glowing ash can reach the ash discharge. The method in accordance with the
invention allows the combustion device to respond automatically to changing
burnout properties due to changing fuel properties for example.
The optical camera can be introduced into the combustion chamber of the
combustion or gasification device for shooting images for determining the
actual
position of the glowing fire edge. An optimal visual angle is achieved in this

manner, in which simultaneously it is possible to make a recording of flames,
the
glowing fire edge and the grate in the combustion and gasification device. The

optical camera thus easily supplies meaningful pictures or snapshots of a
combustion chamber of the combustion or gasification device for evaluating or
determining a glowing fire position. The camera or the optics for the snapshot

can ideally be housed in an especially cooled housing or be provided with a
cooling system in order to prevent damage by heating or by the heat.
It is alternatively also possible to attach the camera outside of the
combustion
chamber of the combustion or gasification device. It can be advantageous if a
snapshot of the glowing fire edge is made through one of the so-called
inspection

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holes, especially through the inspection hole in a so-called firebox door. The

optical camera is attached to a tripod outside of the combustion chamber for
example. In the case of snapshots through an inspection hole (e.g. in the
firebox
door), a visual angle is achieved by the camera in which it is possible to
simultaneously perform a snapshot of the flames, the glowing fire edge and the

grate.
Since ash deposits can occur in the inspection holes of the combustion or
gasification device, through which snapshots can be obstructed, a compressed-
air nozzle can be used for maintaining the visual field of the optical camera.
The
compressed air can be used to clean a window of the inspection hole from ash
through which snapshots are made with the camera and visual obstructions by
ash for example can be remedied in a very simple way.
A processor is ideally used for image analysis which is connected to the
camera.
The camera can thus be programmed in a very simple way by means of
respective software for image analysis and thus for determining the glowing
fire
edge position. The connection of the processor with the camera can be arranged

depending on the position of the camera for example. If the camera is housed
or
introduced into the combustion chamber, the processor can be arranged outside
of the combustion chamber or outside of the combustion or gasification device.
If
the camera is situated outside of the combustion chamber of the combustion or
gasification device, the processor can be integrated in the camera for
example.
An appropriate further development of the method in accordance with the
invention provides that the analysis of the snapshots and thus an analysis of
the
actual position of the glowing fire edge are carried out by means of so-called

colour evaluation. During the so-called colour evaluation, small sections of
the
image of a snapshot are analysed and a colour difference to previously defined

reference colours is output. A position of the glowing fire edge can be
determined
for example in this manner through the different colour values in the
combustion
chamber of flames, the glowing fire edge, the grate etc.
It is advantageous if virtual sensors are used for colour evaluation, of which
at
least three states, especially a glowing fire state, a warning state and an
error
state, are assumed depending on the determined actual colour values, and which

sensors are arranged in rows.
The virtual sensors, which are also known as soft sensors, are sensors that
are
realised by means of software. The virtual sensors in the camera processor can

be realised very easily by means of programming in the camera or for image
evaluation. Values are measured and calculated by virtual sensors which are

. =
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derived from the measured values of real sensors by means of an empirically
acquired or physical model. Virtual sensors are ideally used in applications
in
which real sensors are either too expensive or are unable to withstand ambient

conditions for example (e.g. heat of the combustion device, dust loading by
ash
etc), or which would wear off too rapidly. Colour evaluation of the snapshots
of
the camera and a determination of the glowing fire edge can thus be performed
in a simple and cost-effective way.
An appropriate embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention
provides that the actual colour values of small image sections are compared by

the virtual sensors with predetermined reference colour values for said image
sections, that thereupon the respective sensor is set to an error state upon
exceeding a freely definable threshold value by a colour difference between an

actual colour value and a reference colour value, and that an actual position
of
the glowing fire edge is determined by evaluating the individual sensor
states.
These sensor states can be evaluated in a very simple manner by means of a
check program and a current glowing fire edge position can be derived
therefrom.
Especially by arranging the virtual sensors in rows, the glowing fire edge
position
is can be associated to the rows of sensors for example, which can then be
output by the check program for example.
Brief description of the drawing
The invention will be explained below schematically by way of example by
reference to the enclosed Fig. 1. Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary
sequence of the method in accordance with the invention in an exemplary
combustion or gasification device for small-size solid fuels with throw-
feeding.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary combustion or gasification device VB
for
solid small-size fuels BS, which is set up for performing the method in
accordance with the invention. The device VB comprises at least one combustion

chamber BK and a grate R, on which combustion or gasification of the fuels BS
is
performed. The fuels BS are injected into the combustion chamber BK for
combustion or gasification by means of so-called throw-feeder WB and thus
evenly distributed on the grate R.
The grate R, on which the fuels BS to be incinerated and the ash A are
situated,
can be subdivided into at least two grate zones, which are arranged in the
longitudinal direction of the grate R. Such grate zones are especially a so-
called
combustion or gasification zone which assumes approximately 4/5th of the grate

area for example, and a so-called burnout zone which comprises approximately

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1/5th of the grate zone. The combustion or gasification zone of the grate R is

characterized by the combustion or gasification of the fuels BS over a large
area,
which are combusted from top to bottom and are repeatedly restocked by the
throw-feeder WB simultaneously. No fuels BS are supplied to the burnout zone.
The burnout zone is therefore characterized by a so-called glowing fire edge
GK.
The embers extinguish at this glowing fire edge GK, the temperature decreases
rapidly and the colour of the ash A changes, because only burnout and cooling
of
the ash A occurs there. The burnt-out ash A is then conveyed to an ash
discharge AS.
Control of the combustion or gasification device VB occurs in form of feedback

control of an air supply LV1, LV2 depending on input parameters such as
performance specifications, water content of the fuel, combustion parameters
etc,
wherein it is possible to distinguish between primary PL1, PL2, secondary and
optionally tertiary air, wherein a supply of the primary air PL1, PL2 occurs
directly for combustion or gasification from beneath the grate R. Temperature
values can be measured in the combustion chamber BK at different temperature
measuring points T as reaction parameters, as shown in Fig. 1 above the grate
R
in the combustion/gasification zone or in the burnout zone, in an exhaust gas
outlet AB etc. The input parameters are also used for controlling a ratio of
primary air PL1, PL2 to a so-called primary recirculation air RL1, RL2 and to
a so-
called secondary recirculation air.
Only a primary air supply PL1, PL2 and a primary recirculation air RL1, RL2
are
shown for reasons of simplicity in the combustion or gasification device VB as

illustrated in Fig. 1 by way of example, which are controlled by means of the
method in accordance with the invention.
The entire air supply LV1, LV2 with primary and recirculation air can be
supplied
for example to a single zone beneath the grate R in a combustion or
gasification
device VB with a throw-feeder WB. In further developed combustion or
gasification devices VB (as in the device VB shown by way of example in Fig.
1),
the at least two zones such as combustion/gasification zone, burnout zone etc
are supplied separately with air. The combustion or gasification zone is
supplied
with a via a first air supply LV1, consisting of a first primary air PL1 and a
first
recirculation air RL1. A second air supply LV2 with a second primary air PL2
and
a second recirculation air RL2 is used for the burnout zone. A respective
feedback
control of the air supply LV1, LV2 prevents that glowing ash A reaches the ash

discharge AS. This means that a position of a glowing fire edge GK needs to be

controlled continuously.

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At least one optical camera K is provided for such monitoring. This camera K
is
used to carry out snapshots of the combustion chamber BK, especially the
glowing fire edge GK, in a first method step 1 through one of the so-called
inspection holes of the combustion device VB. A current or actual position of
the
glowing fire edge GK is thus monitored continuously. Changes in the actual
position of the glowing fire edge GK can thus be determined in a very simple
way.
The camera K can be fixed to a tripod or introduced into the combustion
chamber
BK for example for taking the snapshots.
If the camera K is attached outside of the combustion chamber BK for example,
snapshots can be taken through a so-called inspection hole, especially the
inspection hole in the so-called firebox door. Said inspection hole offers a
suitable
visual angle on the flames, the glowing fire edge GK and the grate R in order
to
evaluate the current or actual position of the glowing fire edge GK. In order
to
enable snapshots through a window of an inspection hole, the visual field of
the
camera K must be kept free from ash deposits, dust particles etc. A compressed-

air nozzle is used for this purpose for example. In the case of permanent use,
the
camera K must be provided with a cooling system because heating of the camera
K and damage thereto can occur as a result of the strong thermal radiation of
the
combustion or gasification device VB.
It is alternatively possible to introduce the camera K into the combustion
chamber BK of the combustion or gasification device VB. The camera K is
protected for this purpose by a specially cooled housing or a cooling system
for
example. An optimal and sufficiently large visual angle for recording flames,
the
glowing fire edge GK and the grate R is enabled by introduction into the
combustion chamber BK or into the incineration chamber, which allows an even
better evaluation of a glowing fire edge position than a visual angle through
an
inspection hole.
It is determined in a second method step on the basis of the snapshots whether

or not and the extent to which the actual position of the glowing fire edge GK

deviates from a target position. The camera K may comprise an integrated
processor P for an analysis of the snapshots for example if it is attached
outside
of the combustion chamber BK. If the camera K is introduced into the
combustion chamber BK, the processor P (as shown in Fig. 1 by way of example)
is attached separate from the camera K outside of the combustion chamber BK
and is connected to the camera K. It is further also possible that the camera
K
and/or the processor P are connected via a network connection (e.g. a network
cable) to an evaluation and/or output unit (e.g. a personal computer etc), via

which the glowing edge GK can be monitored continuously by the operators of
the combustion or gasification device VB.

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A so-called colour evaluation is used for the analysis of the snapshots and
therefore the actual position of the glowing fire edge GK in the second method

step 2. Small image sections, especially the colour values of said image
sections,
of the respective snapshots are analysed by means of virtual sensors. The
virtual
sensors are ideally arranged in rows, wherein a glowing fire edge position can
be
associated with each row, which can then be output or displayed to the
operators.
The target position of the glowing fire edge GK can be predetermined for
example by defined reference colour values for the respective positions of the

virtual sensors.
A virtual sensor can assume three states for example: a positive state when
the
analysed image colour value corresponds to a predetermined reference colour
value, a warning state when a colour difference from a previously defined
reference colour value has occurred, but which still lies within a defined
limit or
beneath a freely definable limit value for example, and an error state when
the
colour difference from a previously defined reference colour value has risen
above the freely definable limit value. The current actual position of the
glowing
fire edge GK or a deviation of the glowing fire edge GK from the target
position
can be determined in the respective snapshot by an evaluation of the
respective
sensor states (e.g. via a check program etc). Changes in the actual position
of
the glowing fire edge GK (e.g. the direction in which the glowing fire edge is

moved etc) can be determined by analysing several snapshots taken successively

by the camera K.
In addition, the virtual sensors must also consider fluctuating brightness
caused
by brief flaring in the combustion chamber BK, so that an error state is not
erroneously output by the virtual sensors. In order to prevent this, different

tolerance ranges can be set for example for different fuels BS (e.g. wood,
rejects,
fibrous paper materials, conditioned waste, dried sewage sludge, special
(ecological) fuels etc). In addition, it is possible to prevent by means of a
buffer
in the output of the determined fire edge position that flaring will distort
the
result of the image analysis or that a wrong actual position of the glowing
fire
edge GK is output. As a result of the buffer, values or changes in the glowing
fire
edge position are only accepted after a longer definable period of time. This
means that an actual position of the glowing fire edge GK will only be output
by
the buffer for example when a specific state (e.g. error state, positive state
etc)
is applied to the respective virtual sensors for a specific period of time
(e.g. a few
minutes).
A controlled change in the air supply via the air supply LV1, LV2 to the
combustion chamber BK is performed in a third method step 3 depending on a
deviation of the glowing fire edge GK from the target position or as a result
of

. .
CA 02863911 2014-08-06
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established changes in the actual position of the glowing fire edge GK.
Changes
are made especially to the primary air or the primary air quantity PL1, PL2
and/or the primary recirculation air (quantity) RL1, RL2, which are supplied
from
beneath the grate R.
If it is determined in the second method step 2 during the analysis for
example
that the glowing fire edge GK moves away from the camera K in the direction
towards the combustion or gasification zone, the primary air quantity PL1, PL2
is
reduced in the third method step 3 for example and the recirculation air
quantity
RL1, RL2 is increased. If it is determined in the second method step 2 however

that the glowing fire edge GK moves in the direction towards the ash discharge

AS (i.e. towards the camera K), the primary air quantity PL1, PL2 is increased
in
the third method step 3 and the recirculation air quantity RL1, RL2 is
decreased.
If the analysis of snapshots in the second method step 2 determines for
example
that the glowing fire edge GK remains stable but is not situated in the target

position, the total air quantity (primary and reduction air) PL1, PL2, RL1,
RL2 can
be decreased in the third method step 3 when the glowing fire edge GK is
displaced in the direction towards the combustion or gasification zone, or the

total air quantity (primary and reduction air) PL1, PL2, RL1, RL2 is increased
and
in addition an advancing motion of the grate R is decelerated when the glowing

fire edge GK is displaced in the direction towards the ash discharge AS.
Intervention in the air supply LV1, LV2 of the combustion device VB will not
occur
only when the snapshots show that the glowing fire edge GK is situated at the
target position.
A respective intervention in the air supply LV1, LV2 in the third method step
3
prevents that glowing ash will reach the ash discharge AS, thereby reducing
the
temperature load on the discharge devices. In addition, complete burnout of
the
ash A is ensured and the combustion device VB is able to respond automatically

to changing burnout properties as a result of changing fuel properties for
example. A so-called glowing fire tongue can further be recognised by
respective
logic changes/adaptations in the evaluation of snapshots or the respective
sensor
states (e.g. via a check program etc), which can occur for example in
combustion
or gasification devices VB with more than one throw-wheel in the throw-feeder
WB.

= =
CA 02863911 2014-08-06
- 11 -
List of reference numerals
VB Combustion or gasification device
AB Exhaust gas outlet
BK Combustion chamber
BS Fuels
WB Throw-feeder
K Camera (optical)
P Processor for image analysis
GK Glowing fire edge
R Grate
A Ash
LV1 Air supply of the combustion zone
PL1 Primary air for the combustion zone
RL1 Primary recirculation air for the combustion zone
LV2 Air supply of the burnout zone
PL2 Primary air for the burnout zone
RL2 Primary recirculation air for the burnout zone
AS Ash discharge
T Temperature measuring points
1, 2, 3 Method steps of the method in accordance with the invention

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2017-02-28
(86) PCT Filing Date 2012-12-04
(87) PCT Publication Date 2013-07-18
(85) National Entry 2014-08-06
Examination Requested 2014-12-19
(45) Issued 2017-02-28

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $204.00 was received on 2021-11-29


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2022-12-05 $125.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2022-12-05 $347.00

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

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Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Reinstatement of rights $200.00 2014-08-06
Application Fee $400.00 2014-08-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2014-12-04 $100.00 2014-08-06
Request for Examination $800.00 2014-12-19
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2015-12-04 $100.00 2015-12-01
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2016-12-05 $100.00 2016-12-02
Final Fee $300.00 2017-01-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2017-12-04 $200.00 2017-12-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2018-12-04 $200.00 2018-11-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2019-12-04 $200.00 2019-11-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2020-12-04 $200.00 2020-11-27
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2021-12-06 $204.00 2021-11-29
Registration of a document - section 124 2022-01-17 $100.00 2022-01-17
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CHRISTOF GLOBAL IMPACT LTD.
Past Owners on Record
CHRISTOF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT GMBH
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 2014-09-24 1 5
Drawings 2014-08-06 1 10
Abstract 2014-08-06 2 108
Claims 2014-08-06 1 45
Description 2014-08-06 11 599
Cover Page 2014-10-31 2 51
Claims 2016-06-14 2 52
Cover Page 2017-01-25 2 51
PCT 2014-08-06 12 360
Assignment 2014-08-06 3 128
Prosecution-Amendment 2014-12-19 1 34
Examiner Requisition 2015-12-14 5 335
Amendment 2016-06-14 8 289
Final Fee 2017-01-11 1 36