Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to operation of a combustion control system for a furnace
(by which is meant an enclosed space such as a combustion chamber in which fuel and
gaseous oxidant are combusted) in which material is heated and the heating may cause
formation of carbon monoxide, to control and/or lessen the emissions of carbon monoxide
from the furnace.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Operations in which material is heated in a furnace can lead to formation of carbon
monoxide in the furnace. Mechanisms by which carbon monoxide may be formed include
incomplete combustion of fuel in the furnace; incomplete combustion of combustible
material when the material to be heated in the furnace is also intended to be combusted;
and/or conversion of carbonaceous material that is present in or on the material to
be heated. Examples of such conversion include pyrolysis and/or incomplete combustion
of the carbonaceous material.
[0003] When carbon monoxide forms in the furnace, emission of the carbon monoxide out of
the furnace is usually undesirable. Various technologies exist for removing carbon
monoxide from the gaseous offgas that leaves the furnace, such as absorption of the
carbon monoxide onto absorbents, or adding reactants to the offgas which react with
the carbon monoxide. Such technologies exhibit drawbacks such as expense and difficulty
of implementation and control.
[0004] The present invention provides an efficient method for avoiding emission of carbon
monoxide from a furnace. It also provides an efficient method for controlling operation
of the furnace to obtain improved efficiency and production rates.
[0005] US 2007/264604 A1 relates to a method of heating a material in a furnace, wherein the flow of fuel
to post-combustion burners situated in a post-combustion chamber is controlled according
to video imagining of the flame in the furnace.
US 2009/190799 A1 relates to a method of heating a material in a furnace wherein overall combustion
conditions in a flue gas burnout zone downstream of the chamber in which flue gas
is generated are controlled based on measurement of soot content determined from video
imaging.
DE 197 10 206 A1 relates to a combustion process wherein combustion conditions are monitored based
on flame analysis using a CCD camera.
Brief Summary of the Invention
[0006] The invention relates to a method of heating material in a furnace as defined in
claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007]
Figure 1 is a schematic representation showing how the present invention may be implemented
on furnace apparatus.
Figure 2 is a chart showing the sequence of steps of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0008] The present invention is useful in heating of any materials that can be heated in
a furnace. Examples of such materials include ferrous metals such as iron and steel,
including finished products as well as scrap, as well as ferrous ores and other compounds.
Additional examples include nonferrous metals, such as aluminum and copper, including
finished products as well as scrap, and ores and other compounds thereof. Heating
of any such materials is employed to prepare them for further chemical and/or physical
processing.
[0009] The present invention is also useful in heating of materials in which a portion or
all of the material is melted. In such operations, materials may include any of the
foregoing metals, metal oxides and other metal compounds. Other examples include products
that are melted together in a glassmaking furnace to form molten glass; such materials
include recycled glass pieces known as cullet, and raw materials known as batch which
are molten together to make glass, such materials including typically sodium oxide,
potassium oxide, and silicates of sodium and potassium. Another example of such an
operation is a cement kiln, in which raw materials typically including lime or limestone,
and silica and/or aluminosilicates (clays) and other desired additives, are heated
together so that they melt and react with each other to form the compounds which constitute
cement.
[0010] The present invention is also useful in heating of materials in which a portion or
all of the material is to be combusted, such as incinerators. Materials that may be
heated in the practice of this aspect of the present invention include all combustible
products such as carbonaceous fuels, and solid waste.
[0011] Any of the materials treated in accordance with this invention have the characteristic
that they include some carbonaceous matter, such that heating the material may cause
carbon monoxide to form in the furnace from the carbonaceous matter. The carbonaceous
matter that is present may be organic compounds present in the material being heated,
and/or may comprise a portion or all of the material that is being heated and then
combusted in the furnace. For example, scrap that comprises aluminum, copper, iron
and/or steel may carry thereon carbonaceous matter such as paint or other organic
coatings, organic food and/or human waste, and the like. Cullet that is present in
glassmaking materials may carry thereon organic matter that is a residue of food products
or other organic matter that had been present on the cullet before it is recycled
as cullet.
[0012] The carbon monoxide that is formed in the furnace may be produced by any one or more
of several possible mechanisms, such as incomplete combustion of fuel in the furnace;
incomplete combustion of combustible material when the material to be heated in the
furnace is also intended to be combusted; and/or conversion of carbonaceous material
that is in or on the material to be heated, examples of such conversion including
pyrolysis or incomplete combustion of the carbonaceous material. Just as carbon monoxide
emissions from furnaces are undesirable regardless of the source of the carbon monoxide,
the present invention is useful regardless of the source or mechanism from which the
carbon monoxide is formed that is at risk of being emitted from the furnace.
[0013] Turning to Figure 1, furnace 1 is shown in cross-section. While the furnace depicted
has the shape that is typical of a furnace that can be rotated about an axis that
would be horizontal in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the present invention may
be practiced with any other type and shape of furnace as well. In furnace 1, material
to be heated is represented as 2. Material 2 is heated by heat from a flame 4 that
is formed in the furnace by combustion of fuel 13 with oxidant 12 at burner11. Suitable
fuel 13 can be any combustible carbonaceous substance, preferred examples of which
include methane, natural gas, and atomized fuel oil. Suitable oxidants fed at 12 include
any gaseous product that contains oxygen, such as air, oxygen-enriched air, and streams
having oxygen contents at least 50 vol.%, preferably at least 90 vol.%. Streams having
such elevated oxygen contents are commercially available from any of several suppliers
of atmospheric gases. While one flame 4 is shown, the furnace with which the present
invention may be practiced may include more than one burner 11 and more than one flame
4.
[0014] Furnace 1 includes at least one flue 6 through which gaseous products can pass out
of furnace 1. The gaseous products which pass out of flue 6 include gaseous products
of combustion between the oxidant 12 with the fuel 13, such as carbon dioxide and
water vapor, and may contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and may contain carbon
monoxide. In the practical application of this invention, if only one flue 6 is present
then a flame 15 extends from the outlet 7 of flue 6. If two or more flues 6 are present,
there is a flame 15 present extending from at least one outlet 7 of at least one flue
6. Carbon monoxide may be present in flame 15 and may be or may not be completely
combusted in flame 15.
[0015] Furnace 1 may include a sight port 10 in a wall of the furnace, through which flame
4 inside furnace 1 may be observed from outside furnace 1, however, such is not subject-matter
of the present invention.
[0016] According to the present invention, camera 21 is positioned outside furnace 1. Camera
21 includes aperture 22 through which camera 21 receives an image. In one embodiment
of the invention, camera 21 is positioned in relation to furnace 1 so that the aperture
22 of camera 21 is pointed toward flame 15. In another embodiment not according to
the the invention, camera 21 is positioned in relation to furnace 1 so that aperture
22 of camera 21 is aligned with sight port 10, so that camera 21 can receive an image
of flame 4 inside the furnace 1.
[0017] Camera 21 is a digital camera, meaning that camera 21 detects one or more characteristics
of the object (in this case, the detected characteristics including at least an intensity
of the flame toward which the camera 21 is pointed) and expresses electronically in
digital form an image that corresponds to the detected characteristics. Digital cameras
with this capability are commercially available. They can be a standalone unit or
can be part of an item of equipment that has additional functional capabilities as
well (such as telephony, timekeeping, and the like).
[0018] Still referring to Figure 1, controls 25 control the rate of flow of oxidant 12 and
fuel 13 to burner 11 (or to multiple burners if more than one burner 11 is present).
Optionally but preferably, lance 27 is provided to emit supplemental oxidant into
furnace 1 when additional oxidant is to be passed into furnace 1. The flow of oxidant
through lance 27 is controlled by controls 29. The oxidant that may be passed through
lance 27 into furnace 1 can be air, oxygen-enriched air, or higher purity oxidant
having an oxygen content of at least 50 vol.% and even at least 90 vol.%. The oxygen
content of oxidant that is fed through lance 27 into furnace 1 can be the same or
different relative to the oxygen content of the oxidant 12 that is fed into furnace
1.
[0019] In Figure 1, block 23 refers to the complete system that carries out the sequence
of steps that are set forth in Figure 2 as 31, 33 and 35. The system can be present
in one integrated apparatus, or components that carry out particular steps can be
physically separated from other components and connected to each other by suitable
cables or by cableless wireless connection. Some or all of the components can be included
in the camera 21. However, for ease of function and because of the possibility that
camera 21 may be located in an environment that may be hot and dusty and thus potentially
harsh to the components such as processors, it is preferred for camera 21 to be physically
separated from the other components, and for camera 21 to be connected by cable or
wireless connection to at least the component that carries out the step 31 that first
follows the acquisition of images by camera 21. As can be seen in Figure 1, system
23 is connected to camera 21 to receive input from camera 21, and system 23 is connected
to controls 25 and (if present) to controls 29, to provide signals to controls 25
and 29.
[0020] In operation, combustion is carried out inside furnace 1 in the presence of material
2 in furnace 1. A flame is formed in the furnace which may appear as flame 15 extending
out from opening 7 of a flue 6. According to the invention, camera 21 is pointed at
flame 15 so that images of flame 15 are received through aperture 22. In another embodiment
not according to the invention, camera 21 is pointed toward furnace 1 so that an image
of a flame 4 inside furnace 1 is received at aperture 22 through sight port 10. The
flame 15 or 4 can be very bright, so the aperture 22 and exposure should be adjusted
to prevent blooming of the image. In some circumstances it might be desirable to be
able to adjust the exposure of the image dynamically so that adequate resolution is
achieved when the image is very dark. In most circumstances such dynamic adjustment
is not necessary. The view factor and resolution of the camera image should be such
that the image size is at least 50 by 50 pixels, preferably at least 300 by 300 pixels.
A person skilled in the art can easily determine the appropriate image resolution
and image view factor for a given distance of the camera 21 from flame 15 or 4, and
for a given size of flame 15 or 4. The camera 21 creates a digital electronic image
of flame 15 or flame 4, based on at least one parameter of the flame, such as an intensity
of the flame 15 or flame 4. The electronic image is transmitted electronically by
the camera 21 to apparatus that carries out step 31.
[0021] In step 31 the signal corresponding to the image of the flame 15 or 4 is converted
to one or more values that represent the intensity or variety of intensities of the
flame, and may comprise a range of values over the area of the flame that is within
the field of view of the camera 21. The intensities are detected and expressed digitally
to create an array of values that correspond to the detected intensity. The detected
intensity parameter corresponds also to a concentration of carbon monoxide that is
present in the flame.
[0022] In step 33, the detected intensity parameter is compared to preestablished correlations
of the intensity parameter to actual concentrations of carbon monoxide in the flame.
The preestablished correlations can be established by simultaneously measuring the
concentration of carbon monoxide in the flame via an established technique such as
gas sampling using a gas sampling probe followed by analysis of the sampled gas, or
continuous emission monitoring, and observing the value of the expressed parameter
that is derived in step 31 from the value based on intensity as detected by the camera
21, and recording the measured concentration and the parameter value together where
they can be read together, such as in a computer or in a written catalog. In this
way, each intensity parameter that is expressed by the system corresponds to an actual
concentration value of carbon monoxide in the flame. The determination of the preexisting
correlations between the expressed parameter and the measured carbon monoxide concentration,
can have already been carried out, during the initial setup of the system at a furnace,
and usually does not need to be repeated at a given furnace every time that the furnace
is being operated. However, the operator may find it preferable to establish a fresh
set of correlations for different furnaces, as well as at a given furnace in situations
in which the conditions under which the given furnace is to be operated will differ
significantly.
[0023] The system described herein can be used to achieve any of several methods of controlling
furnace operation. One such method is to control carbon monoxide emissions by control
of oxygen feed to the furnace, which is now described:
The operation of the furnace will have a preestablished value for the concentration
of carbon monoxide in the flame, such that carbon monoxide concentration values above
that value are not acceptable and must be lowered. Typical values of excess carbon
monoxide can be in the range of 3 vol.% to 30 vol.%, although values may vary depending
on the location, the nature of the material 2 being heated in furnace 1, or other
conditions. The preestablished value is based on any factor or group of factors that
have significance to the operator, such as values that represent excessive risk of
environmental harm, or that risk violation of applicable environmental regulations,
or that indicate an undesired imbalance of economic and thermodynamic conditions in
the furnace.
[0024] In step 33 the preestablished value for the concentration of carbon monoxide in the
flame (which may also be termed a threshold value, or a set point) is stored, and
the detected intensity parameter that corresponds to the carbon monoxide concentration
in the flame at a point in time is compared to the preestablished threshold value.
The comparison can be performed at any desired rate, but preferably the comparison
is performed at a rate of once every 2 to 5 seconds. Preferably the comparison is
performed automatically by a suitably programmed controller.
[0025] When the detected and processed intensity parameter corresponds to an actual carbon
monoxide concentration in the flame that exceeds the preestablished threshold value,
then the system performs an action that results in additional oxygen being provided
within furnace 1. In Figure 2, this action is represented as generating in step 33
a signal which activates combustion control system 35 to cause additional oxygen to
be present within furnace 1. The additional oxygen is to react with carbon monoxide
present in the furnace, so that less carbon monoxide leaves the furnace 1 via flue
6 in flame 15 or otherwise. Additional oxygen may be provided into furnace 1, to react
with the detected excess of carbon monoxide, by any of several modes. For instance,
one such mode is for control system 35 to increase the amount of oxygen 12 being fed
into furnace 1 through burner 11 without increasing the flow rate of fuel 13 into
furnace 1. Another possible mode is to feed supplemental oxidant, or an increased
amount of supplemental oxygen, through supplemental feed line 29 (shown in Figure
1), also without increasing the flow rate of fuel 13 into furnace 1. Yet another possible
mode is decreasing the amount of fuel 13 fed into furnace 1, without decreasing the
amount of oxygen 12 or supplemental oxygen 27 that is fed into furnace 1. Or, any
combination of these modes can be implemented at the same time.
[0026] The preferred embodiment is to provide supplemental oxygen 27, so that the operator
does not have to adjust the stoichiometric ratio of the oxidant and fuel being fed
through the one or more burners 11. Supplemental feed line 27 should preferably be
positioned so that it feeds oxidant into regions within the furnace in which relatively
higher amounts of carbon monoxide may be present, or into regions where carbon monoxide
would particularly be undesirable, such as near the area where the interior of furnace
1 connects with the upstream end of flue 6.
[0027] The provision of additional oxygen is continued until the detected and processed
value representing the carbon monoxide concentration in the flame decreases to a value
equal to or less than the aforementioned preestablished threshold value. If preferred,
the additional oxygen should be provided until the detected and processed value is
less than the preestablished threshold value, such as 0.5% to 2% below the preestablished
threshold value, to minimize the number of times that the provision of the additional
oxygen has to be initiated and then discontinued.
[0028] The steps 31, 33 and 35 can be carried out in suitably programmed controllers that
are connected to each other by suitable cables or by wireless connections. Instead,
they may all be present in one piece of hardware.
[0029] As indicated, the system described herein can also be used to carry out other methods
of controlling the operation of the furnace, by adjusting the feed of oxygen (oxidant),
fuel, or both oxygen and fuel, to achieve desired combustion characteristics within
the furnace or to carry out control of furnace operation from startup. In this embodiment
of the invention, one set point or more than one set point (typically 3 to 10 set
points) are preestablished in the controller that correspond to fuel flow rates and
oxygen flow rates to the furnace (in one burner or in each of several burners if the
furnace has multiple burners).
[0030] In these embodiments, the image analysis parameters are received in step 33 and compared
with the control levels set-points defined by the user who also pre-set the flow rate
values to be used in the burner and oxidant lance for each level. This last part is
communicated with the furnace combustion control PLC. The user can also select other
process parameters such as timers to activate / deactivate the control levels. The
user may at this stage also select the language that will appear on control panels
that the operator will see, and may also select other variables to be controlled.
The controller 33 collects data from the camera and related software, processes this
data along with user inputs (limits, oxygen flow set point, natural gas flow set point,
delay times) and dynamically adjusts the process to reduce CO emissions and increase
production of the furnace.
[0031] The user selects the control variable and sets up the start limits, the stop limits,
and "off-delay" values (in any number of each that is desired, typically 1 to 10 of
each, and a number (typically 1 to 5) of "on-delay" values. The user also sets an
oxygen flow set point and burner natural gas flow set point for each corresponding
limit. When the first start limit has been exceeded for more than the on delay time,
the software sets the corresponding oxygen flow set point and natural gas flow set
point. The set points are processed in order as the limits are exceeded. Once the
control variable falls below the stop limit and the off delay timer is complete, the
preceding level is set.
[0032] When the control variable falls below all stop limits and the final off delay is
finished, the oxygen set point is set to zero and the burner fuel set point is returned
to normal control.
[0033] If the furnace door is opened, the oxygen set point is set to zero and the burner
fuel set point is returned to normal control.
[0034] The system and method described herein enable the operator to realize benefits in
the operation of the furnace, such as more efficient operation in terms such as fuel
consumption and reduced cycle time. By monitoring the carbon monoxide content of the
flame (and doing so in real time, which is how the present invention can be utilized),
the operator can adjust the oxygen and/or fuel feed rates to the furnace so that the
heat of combustion of carbon monoxide can be retained in the furnace and utilized
to advantage, thereby enabling the operator to achieve the same degree of heating
and/or melting of material within the furnace in a shorter cycle time, and enabling
the operator to achieve the heating and/or melting with less fuel consumption per
unit of material heated.
[0035] The present invention is an advantageous method for controlling carbon monoxide emissions
from furnaces, and for controlling overall furnace operation, for several reasons.
One reason is that implementation of the method of the present invention to an operating
furnace does not require ongoing direct measurement of the concentration of the carbon
monoxide in the flame. Another reason is that the present invention measures detects
parameters that characterize carbon monoxide in the flame, rather than in flue gases
or exhaust gases where the measurement is prone to be more variable and less reliable.
Also, the method of the present invention does not measure temperatures of the flame,
and is not based on measuring differences of flame temperature, and thus is more reliable
and less vulnerable to temperature fluctuations in the flame. Instead, the method
of the present invention is based on correlations of image parameters that correspond
to the carbon monoxide concentration in the flame, which is believed to be a novel
and efficient mode of operation.
[0036] Other advantages would include reduced requirement for maintenance of the equipment
that is used; lower installation cost and little or no downtime of the furnace for
installation of the system that performs the invention; and faster response time to
adjust the oxygen feed, the fuel feed, or both the oxygen feed and the fuel feed,
when the system detects a condition that requires an increase or other change in the
amount of oxygen and/or the amount of fuel being fed into the furnace.
1. A method of heating material in a furnace, comprising
(A) heating material (2) comprising carbonaceous matter in a furnace (1) having a
flue (6), using heat generated by combustion in the furnace of fuel (13) and gaseous
oxidant (12) being fed into the furnace, thereby producing carbon monoxide derived
from the carbonaceous matter, wherein a flame (4, 15) is formed in the furnace which
extends out of the furnace from the flue (6);
(B) characterizing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the flame (15) from images
of the flame (15) taken outside the furnace by a digital camera (21) that is located
outside the furnace, by expressing electronically at least one parameter that corresponds
to the intensity of the flame (15) and that corresponds to the concentration of carbon
monoxide in the flame, and determining the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide
in the flame from predetermined correlations of the actual concentrations of carbon
monoxide in a flame to expressed values of the at least one parameter;
(C) comparing the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide in the flame as characterized in accordance with step (B) to a preestablished threshold concentration value for said
concentration;
(D) when the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide in the flame exceeds said
preestablished threshold concentration value, adjusting the amount of oxygen, the
amount of fuel, or the amounts of both oxygen and fuel, being fed into the furnace
that is available to react in the furnace to an amount or amounts thereof that is
effective to lower the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide in the flame
to be equal or less than the preestablished threshold concentration value for a predetermined
length of time, while continuing to characterize the concentration of carbon monoxide
in the flame from images of the flame (15) taken by the digital camera outside the
furnace,
characterised in that
images are taken by the digital camera (21) of the flame (15) extending out of the
furnace (1) from the flue (6).
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said material (2) comprises metal.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step (A) at least a portion of said material
(2) that is heated is combusted.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step (A) at least a portion of said material
(2) that is heated is melted.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step (D), adjusting the amount of oxygen
(12) in the furnace that is available to react in the furnace (1) comprises increasing
the amount of oxygen that is fed into said furnace relative to the amount of said
fuel (13) that is fed into said furnace.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein in step (D), adjusting the amount of oxygen
(12) in the furnace (1) that is available to react in the furnace comprises decreasing
the amount of said fuel (13) that is fed into said furnace relative to the amount
of oxygen that is fed into said furnace.
7. A method according to claim 1 comprising adjusting the amount of oxygen (12) being
fed into the furnace (1) when the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide in
the flame (4, 15) exceeds said preestablished threshold concentration value.
8. A method according to claim 1 comprising adjusting the amount of fuel (13) being fed
into the furnace (1) when the characterized concentration of carbon monoxide in the
flame (4, 15) exceeds said preestablished threshold concentration value.
9. A method according to claim 1 comprising adjusting the amount of oxygen (12) and the
amount of fuel (13) being fed into the furnace (1) when the characterized concentration
of carbon monoxide in the flame (4, 15) exceeds said preestablished concentration
value.
1. Verfahren zum Erhitzen von Material in einem Ofen, umfassend
(A) Erhitzen von Material (2), umfassend kohlenstoffhaltiges Material in einem Ofen
(1) mit einem Kamin (6) unter Verwendung von Wärme, die durch Verbrennung von Brennstoff
(13) und gasförmigem Oxidationsmittel (12), die in den Ofen eingespeist werden, in
dem Ofen erzeugt wird, wodurch Kohlenmonoxid erzeugt wird, das von dem kohlenstoffhaltigen
Material abgeleitet wird, wobei in dem Ofen eine Flamme (4, 15) gebildet wird, die
sich von dem Kamin (6) aus dem Ofen heraus erstreckt;
(B) Kennzeichnen der Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme (15) aus Bildern der
Flamme (15), die außerhalb des Ofens von einer Digitalkamera (21) aufgenommen wurden,
die sich außerhalb des Ofens befindet, durch elektronisches Ausdrücken mindestens
eines Parameters, welcher der Intensität der Flamme (15) entspricht und welcher der
Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme entspricht, und Bestimmen der gekennzeichneten
Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme aus vorbestimmten Korrelationen der tatsächlichen
Kohlenmonoxidkonzentrationen in einer Flamme mit ausgedrückten Werten des mindestens
einen Parameters;
(C) Vergleichen der gekennzeichneten Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme, wie
sie gemäß Schritt (B) gekennzeichnet wurde, mit einem vorher festgelegten Konzentrationsschwellenwert
für die Konzentration;
(D) wenn die gekennzeichnete Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme den vorher festgelegten
Konzentrationsschwellenwert überschreitet, Einstellen der Sauerstoffmenge, der Brennstoffmenge
oder der Menge von sowohl Sauerstoff als auch Brennstoff, die in den Ofen eingespeist
werden, die zur Reaktion in dem Ofen verfügbar sind, mit einer Menge oder Mengen davon,
die wirksam ist/sind, um die gekennzeichnete Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme
für eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer so zu senken, dass sie gleich oder kleiner als der
vorher festgelegte Konzentrationsschwellenwert ist, während weiterhin die Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration
in der Flamme aus Bildern der Flamme (15) gekennzeichnet wird, die von der Digitalkamera
außerhalb des Ofens aufgenommen wurden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Bilder von der Flamme (15), die sich von dem Kamin (6) aus dem Ofen (1) heraus erstrecken,
von der Digitalkamera (21) aufgenommen werden.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Material (2) Metall umfasst.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei in Schritt (A) zumindest ein Teil des Materials (2),
das erhitzt wird, verbrannt wird.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei in Schritt (A) zumindest ein Teil des Materials (2),
das erhitzt wird, geschmolzen wird.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei in Schritt (D) das Einstellen der Menge an Sauerstoff
(12) in dem Ofen, die verfügbar ist, um in dem Ofen (1) zu reagieren, das Erhöhen
der Menge an Sauerstoff, die in den Ofen eingespeist wird, relativ zu der Menge an
Brennstoff (13), die in den Ofen eingespeist wird, umfasst.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei in Schritt (D) das Einstellen der Menge an Sauerstoff
(12) in dem Ofen (1), die verfügbar ist, um in dem Ofen zu reagieren, das Verringern
der Menge an Brennstoff (13), die in den Ofen eingespeist wird, relativ zu der Menge
an Sauerstoff, die in den Ofen eingespeist wird, umfasst.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, umfassend das Einstellen der Menge an Sauerstoff (12),
die in den Ofen (1) eingespeist wird, wenn die gekennzeichnete Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration
in der Flamme (4, 15) den vorher festgelegten Konzentrationsschwellenwert überschreitet.
8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, umfassend das Einstellen der Menge an Brennstoff (13),
die in den Ofen (1) eingespeist wird, wenn die gekennzeichnete Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration
in der Flamme (4, 15) den vorher festgelegten Konzentrationsschwellenwert überschreitet.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, umfassend das Einstellen der Menge an Sauerstoff (12) und
der Menge an Brennstoff (13), die in den Ofen (1) eingespeist werden, wenn die gekennzeichnete
Kohlenmonoxidkonzentration in der Flamme (4, 15) den vorher festgelegten Konzentrationswert
überschreitet.
1. Procédé de chauffage de matériau dans un four, comprenant
(A) le chauffage d'un matériau (2) comprenant une matière carbonée dans un four (1)
ayant un conduit de cheminée (6), en utilisant de la chaleur générée par la combustion
dans le four d'un combustible (13) et d'un oxydant gazeux (12) étant alimentés dans
le four, ce qui produit du monoxyde de carbone dérivé de la matière carbonée, dans
lequel une flamme (4, 15) est formée dans le four laquelle s'étend à l'extérieur du
four à partir du conduit de cheminée (6) ;
(B) la caractérisation de la concentration de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme (15)
à partir d'images de la flamme (15) prises à l'extérieur du four par une caméra numérique
(21) qui est située à l'extérieur du four, en exprimant électroniquement au moins
un paramètre qui correspond à l'intensité de la flamme (15) et qui correspond à la
concentration de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme, et la détermination de la concentration
caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme à partir de corrélations prédéterminées des
concentrations réelles de monoxyde de carbone dans une flamme aux valeurs exprimées
de l'au moins un paramètre ;
(C) la comparaison de la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme telle que caractérisée conformément à l'étape (B) à une valeur de concentration seuil préétablie pour ladite
concentration ;
(D) lorsque la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme dépasse ladite valeur de concentration seuil
préétablie, l'ajustement de la quantité d'oxygène, de la quantité de combustible,
ou à la fois des quantités d'oxygène et de combustible, étant alimentées dans le four
qui sont disponibles pour réagir dans le four à une quantité ou des quantités de ceux-ci
qui sont efficaces pour abaisser la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme pour être égale ou inférieure à la valeur de
concentration seuil préétablie pendant une durée prédéterminée, tout en continuant
de caractériser la concentration de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme à partir d'images
de la flamme (15) prises par la caméra numérique à l'extérieur du four,
caractérisé en ce que
les images sont prises par la caméra numérique (21) de la flamme (15) s'étendant à
l'extérieur du four (1) à partir du conduit de cheminée (6).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel ledit matériau (2) comprend un métal.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel à l'étape (A) au moins une partie dudit
matériau (2) qui est chauffée est brûlée.
4. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel à l'étape (A) au moins une partie dudit
matériau (2) qui est chauffée est fondue.
5. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel à l'étape (D), l'ajustement de la quantité
d'oxygène (12) dans le four qui est disponible pour réagir dans le four (1) comprend
l'augmentation de la quantité d'oxygène qui est alimentée dans ledit four par rapport
à la quantité dudit combustible (13) qui est alimentée dans ledit four.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel à l'étape (D), l'ajustement de la quantité
d'oxygène (12) dans le four (1) qui est disponible pour réagir dans le four comprend
la diminution de la quantité dudit combustible (13) qui est alimentée dans ledit four
par rapport à la quantité d'oxygène qui est alimentée dans ledit four.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 1 comprenant l'ajustement de la quantité d'oxygène
(12) étant alimentée dans le four (1) lorsque la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme (4, 15) dépasse ladite valeur de concentration
seuil préétablie.
8. Procédé selon la revendication 1 comprenant l'ajustement de la quantité de combustible
(13) étant alimentée dans le four (1) lorsque la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme (4, 15) dépasse ladite valeur de concentration
seuil préétablie.
9. Procédé selon la revendication 1 comprenant l'ajustement de la quantité d'oxygène
(12) et de la quantité de combustible (13) étant alimentée dans le four (1) lorsque
la concentration caractérisée de monoxyde de carbone dans la flamme (4, 15) dépasse ladite valeur de concentration
préétablie.