Instrumented burner

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel burner (2) integrated into a furnace (3) or a boiler and arranged in a target position in said furnace (3) or said boiler, the burner (2) comprising means (C1-C9) for measuring an offset with respect to the target position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a burner integrated into, for example, an industrial furnace or a boiler. The invention more particularly relates to an instrumented burner equipped with a position sensor. The invention also relates to a device comprising such a burner and a method of controlling the device so as to optimize the operation of the device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Burners are used in many industries. They are key elements in many industrial devices.

[0003] Examples of these devices include a clinker production plant, ultimately used to produce cement, and a domestic hot water or steam production network.

[0004] Devices having an integrated burner and one or more sensors for measuring the temperature to obtain a thermal profile are known. Devices having sensors, such as imaging devices, to analyze various characteristics of the flame are also known.

[0005] These devices having such monitoring systems claim to improve the calcination quality in the kiln and / or to reduce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

[0006] While progress has been made in this respect, many problems remain.

[0007] The adjustment of the target position of the burner in the furnace or boiler is done empirically, that is to say by making a number of successive tests. The target position depends on the industrial sector in which the burner is used. These settings are made during the assembly of the device and are improved after start-up.

[0008] The target position is chosen so that the calcination meets the quality standards of the end product, such as clinker for cement production, while minimizing carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. It should also be noted that legislation concerning these pollutant emissions is becoming increasingly stringent.

[0009] During the use of the device, the calcination quality can decrease and the pollutant emissions can increase. This is the result of several factors, alone or in combination.

[0010] Examples of these factors include:

[0011] - mechanical drift and fatigue of the burner, which causes the burner to be offset with respect to the furnace,

[0012] - modification of the fuel characteristics, in particular the enrichment of the mixture, which has an impact on the calcination quality and the emissions,

[0013] - fuel change problems caused by raw material price, which change the combustion characteristics.

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above. SUMMARY

[0015] To this end, a fuel burner is proposed, which is integrated into a furnace or boiler and arranged in a target position in said furnace or boiler, the burner comprising means for measuring an offset with respect to the target position.

[0016] Such a burner equipped with measuring means can advantageously detect a positioning error with respect to the furnace or boiler. Action can then be taken to correct the positioning.

[0017] Various additional features can be provided, alone or in combination:

[0018] - the measuring means are able to measure the overall offset of the burner with respect to the furnace or boiler;

[0019] - the measuring means are able to measure the offset between subassemblies of the burner;

[0020] - the burner comprises a main body with measuring means;

[0021] - the burner comprises a plurality of distance sensors able to measure the separation distance of the furnace or boiler from the main body of the burner, each sensor being directed towards a point on the furnace along a longitudinal axis of the burner, and each point being different from the others;

[0022] - the burner comprises an absorption sensor able to measure the distance between the burner main body and the furnace and / or boiler, said distance being measured along a longitudinal axis of the burner;

[0023] - the burner comprises a height sensor adapted to measure the height of the main body of the burner;

[0024] - the burner comprises at least one sensor able to measure the dynamic pressure in one of the supply lines of the burner;

[0025] - the burner further comprises an adjustment member adapted to change the operating point in the burner, said adjustment member being movable, said burner comprising measuring means adapted to measure the distance and / or the inclination between the main body and the adjustment member;

[0026] Secondly, a device is proposed, comprising a burner as described previously and a furnace or boiler, the burner being arranged in the furnace or boiler, the device further comprising a connection device connected to the sensors and able to receive the measurements from said sensors and transmit them to a computer, the computer being able to process the measurements received from the connection device.

[0027] Thirdly, a method for controlling a device as previously described is proposed, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0028] - measuring the instantaneous position of the burner,

[0029] - sending the measurement of the instantaneous position of the burner to the computer,

[0030] - comparing the measurement of the instantaneous position of the burner with the predetermined target position,

[0031] - issuing a warning if a deviation between the instantaneous position and the target position is detected.

[0032] Various additional features can be provided, alone or in combination:

[0033] - the method indicates an adjustment of the burner position in order to return to the target position;

[0034] - the method automatically performs a modification of the combustion parameters in order to return to the target position, as a function of the measured deviation of the burner position and / or of the modification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which can be understood in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A device 1 according to the invention is shown. The device 1 comprises a burner 2, a furnace 3 and a computer 4.

[0038] The burner 2 is arranged in the furnace, but can also be arranged in a boiler.

[0039] In the furnace 3, the burner 2 is arranged in a predetermined position, hereinafter called the target position. This position is determined empirically, i.e. by performing a series of successive tests. The target position corresponds to the position in the furnace 3 where the calcination efficiency is the highest, i.e. the position with the best mass production while limiting the production of fuel losses and pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

[0040] For various reasons related to the use of the burner 2, it can deviate from its target position; when this deviation is related to mechanical wear, it is an involuntary drift. This drift is multidimensional, as it can occur in all three dimensions of space.

[0041] For other reasons, it can be worth deviating from the target position, especially when using a different fuel. Indeed, the target position can be fuel-dependent, and using another fuel can require deviating from the target position. In this case, the offset is not an involuntary drift, but an offset intended to improve the calcination performance.

[0042] The burner 2 advantageously comprises means C1-C9 able to measure the drift, i.e. the offset between the target position and the instantaneous position of the burner 2.

[0043] The measuring means C1-C9 are able to measure the overall drift of the burner 2 relative to the furnace 3. In addition, the measuring means C1-C9 are also able to measure the drift of the burner 2 sub-assemblies relative to each other, as will be described later.

[0044] Defined in a non-limiting manner and without reference to the terrestrial gravity, the trihedron comprises:

[0045] - an X axis defining the direction of extension of the burner 2,

[0046] - a transverse Y axis perpendicular to the X axis and defining, with the Y axis, an XY plane,

[0047] - a vertical Z axis perpendicular to the X and Y axes and defining, with those axes, respectively an XZ plane and a YZ plane.

[0048] The burner 2 comprises a main body 5 on which the measuring means C1-C9 are arranged. As Figure 1 illustrated, the measuring means C1-C9 are positioned on the main body 5 so that, when the burner 2 is arranged in the furnace 3, the measuring means C1-C9 are located outside said furnace 3.

[0049] Among the measuring means, the burner 2 comprises two distance sensors C2, C3. The distance sensors C2, C3 are each able to measure the distance between the furnace 3 and the main body 5 of the burner 2. This distance is measured along the X axis. The sensors C2, C3 are directed in the direction of the furnace 3 along the X axis. They are advantageously mounted on a lateral lug 6 which projects laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X axis. The lateral lug 6 allows the sensors C2, C3 to be laterally separated so that the elements of the burner 2 do not interfere with the measurements taken. In addition, by moving the C2 and C3 sensors laterally, the accuracy of the measurements is improved, since any drift will be more apparent.

[0050] Each distance sensor C2, C3 is directed towards the furnace 3 at a point P2, P3 different from each other and located on said furnace 3.

[0051] Advantageously, the burner 2 comprises an absorption sensor C1. The absorption sensor C1 makes it possible to measure the distance between the furnace 3 and the body 5 of the burner 2. This distance is measured along the X axis. The absorption sensor C1 is advantageously mounted on the upper lug 7 projecting from the body 5 of the burner 2 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the X axis. The upper lug 7 can laterally separate the absorption sensor C1 as the lateral lugs 6 do, so that the elements of the burner 2 do not interfere with the measurements taken. The absorption sensor C1 is directed towards the furnace 3 at a point P1 different from the points P2, P3.

[0052] Advantageously, the burner 2 comprises a height sensor C4. The height sensor C4 is arranged on one of the lateral lugs 6. The height sensor C4 makes it possible to measure the height of the body 5 of the burner 2. This height is measured with respect to a reference element, for example a floor, but depending on the arrangement of the burner 2, another reference element can be referred to. The height sensor C4 is measured along the Z axis.

[0053] As mentioned previously, the burner 2 advantageously comprises a subassembly sensor C9 making it possible to measure the drift of a subassembly of the burner 2. As can be seen in Figure 1 The burner 2 has an adjustment member 8 intended to modify at least one parameter of the combustion. The adjustment member 8 is mobile and can be moved by means of a handle 9. The subassembly sensor C9 makes it possible to measure the distance between the adjustment member 9 and the burner body 5 of the burner 2. Like the sensors C1, C2, C3, the sensor C9 is arranged on a fixed lug 10 projecting from the body 5 of the burner 2. The subassembly sensor C9 is directed towards a plate 11 mounted on the adjustment member 8.

[0054] The sensors C1, C2, C3, C4, C9 use ultrasonic technology. This technology is particularly attractive because it allows measurements to be taken in difficult conditions at a high temperature and in an environment that is sometimes dusty.

[0055] The lugs 6, 7 advantageously can be positionally adjusted in order to modify the position of the sensors housed therein. This allows the sensors to be more or less offset depending on the furnace or boiler receiving the burner.

[0056] Advantageously, the burner 2 comprises an inclination sensor C5. The inclination sensor C5 is mounted directly on the body 5. This inclination sensor C5 advantageously makes it possible to measure the drift of the inclination of the body 5 with respect to a target inclination.

[0057] The burner advantageously comprises sensors C6, C7, C8 making it possible to measure the dynamic pressure in the burner 2. The measurement of the dynamic pressure makes it possible to determine the speed of the fuel and / or of the oxidizing agent. The pressure sensors C6, C7, C8 are arranged in several different positions on the body 5 of the burner 2 in order to make the measurements reliable.

[0058] Advantageously, the burner 2 comprises connection means 12 able to receive the measurements made by the sensors C1-C9. The connection means 12 are for example an electronic junction box. The connection means 12 are able to centralize the measurements made by the sensors C1-C9 and to send them to the computer 4. The connection means 12 are connected to the sensors C1-C9 by wires not shown in the figures. The connection means 12 send the measurements to the computer 4. The connection means 12 can send the measurements by wired or wireless technology. The computer 4 is for example a computing unit. Figure 1

[0059] The computer 4 processes the measurements made as described below.

[0060] The application further relates to a method for controlling the device 1. The information on the target position of the burner 2 is pre-stored in the computer 4.

[0061] This control method comprises:

[0062] - a step of measuring the instantaneous position of the burner 2 with the measurement sensors C1-C9,

[0063] - a step of sending the instantaneous position of the burner 2 to the computer 4 by means of the junction box 12,

[0064] - a step of comparing the measurements of the instantaneous position of the burner 2 with the target position,

[0065] This step is performed by the computer 4,

[0066] - a step of issuing a warning if a drift is detected, i.e. if a deviation has been measured.

[0067] The warning consists of a message sent to a control center. Several actions can then be taken depending on the drift that has been measured. A first action can be to reposition the burner to its target position. In the case where the burner is motorized, this can be done manually or automatically. A second action can be to modify the combustion parameters according to the type of drift measured and its importance in order to maintain the quality of the calcination.

[0068] More in detail, the method comprises several steps, each step being inherent to a specific measurement performed via the C1-C9 sensors.

[0069] Thus, the method comprises:

[0070] - a step of measuring the distance between the furnace 3 and the body 5 of the burner 2 by the absorption sensor C1,

[0071] - a step of sending these measurements to the computer 4 by the junction box 12,

[0072] ​- a step of comparing the measured instantaneous absorption of the burner 2 in the furnace 3 with a target absorption,

[0073] - a step of issuing a warning and / or correcting the position and / or the combustion parameters of the burner 2 if a difference is detected between the measured instantaneous absorption and the target absorption.

[0074] These steps of the method make it possible to correct a possible drift along the X axis of the burner with respect to the furnace.

[0075] The method further comprises:

[0076] - a step of measuring a first instantaneous distance between the furnace 3 and the body 5 of the burner by means of a distance sensor C2,

[0077] - a step of measuring a second instantaneous distance between the furnace 3 and the body 5 of the burner 2 by means of a distance sensor C3,

[0078] - a step of sending the measurements to the computer 4 by means of the junction box 12,

[0079] - a step of comparing the first instantaneous distance with a first target distance and the second instantaneous distance with a second target distance,

[0080] - a step of issuing a warning and / or correcting the position and / or the combustion parameters of the burner 2 if a difference is detected between the first instantaneous distance and the first target distance and / or between the second instantaneous distance and the second target distance.

[0081] These steps of the method make it possible to correct a possible lateral drift of the burner 2, i.e. a possible lateral drift of the burner 2 can be corrected if the burner 2 is in a tilted position with respect to the furnace 3.

[0082] The method further comprises:

[0083] - a step of measuring an instantaneous height by means of a height sensor C4,

[0084] - a step of sending said instantaneous height to the computer 4 by means of the junction box 12,

[0085] - a step of comparing the instantaneous height with a target height,

[0086] - a step of issuing a warning and / or correcting the position and / or the combustion parameters of the burner 2 if a difference is detected between the instantaneous height and the target height.

[0087] These steps of the method make it possible to correct a possible drift along the Z axis of the burner.

[0088] The method further comprises:

[0089] - a step of measuring the instantaneous tilt by means of the tilt sensor C5,

[0090] - a step of sending said instantaneous tilt to the computer 4 by means of the junction box 12,

[0091] - a step of comparing the instantaneous tilt with the target tilt,

[0092] - a step of issuing a warning and / or correcting the position and / or the combustion parameters of the burner 2 if a difference is detected between the instantaneous tilt and the target tilt.

[0093] These steps of the method make it possible to correct possible drifts in the tilt of the burner 2, i.e. involuntary rotations of the burner around the Y axis can be corrected.

[0094] The method further comprises:

[0095] - a step of measuring the instantaneous dynamic pressure by means of at least one of the pressure sensors C6, C7, C8;

[0096] - a step of sending said instantaneous pressure to the computer 4 by means of the junction box 12,

[0097] - a step of calculating the instantaneous average speed of the oxidizer flow in the burner as a result of the dynamic pressure measurement,

[0098] - a step of comparing the instantaneous average speed with the target speed,

[0099] - a step of issuing a warning and / or correcting the combustion parameters if a difference is detected between the instantaneous average speed and the target average speed.

[0100] These steps of the method make it possible to correct possible drifts in the flow speed in the burner, which can have an impact on the efficiency of the burner. Such drifts can occur with repeated changes in fuel or involuntary drifts in the oxidizer / fuel ratio.

[0101] This device and its control method have several advantages, including:

[0102] - detecting the offset of the burner relative to the furnace,

[0103] - modifying the fuel properties, in particular the enrichment of the mixture, which has an impact on the calcination quality and emissions,

[0104] - the problem of fuel changes due to raw material prices, which change the combustion properties.

Claims

1. Fuel burner, intended to be integrated in a furnace and arranged in a target position in said furnace, comprising a measuring device for measuring the offset with respect to said target position, a main body and an adjustment component; said measuring device is able to measure the overall offset of the fuel burner with respect to the furnace, said measuring device is composed of a sensor CI, a sensor C2, a sensor C3, a sensor C4, a sensor C5, a sensor C6, a sensor C7, a sensor C8 and a subassembly sensor C9, said sensor CI, said sensor C2, said sensor C3, said sensor C4 and said subassembly sensor C9 are ultrasonic sensors, said adjustment component is adapted to modify the operating point in said fuel burner, said adjustment component is movable, said subassembly sensor C9 is configured to measure the distance or the inclination between said main body and said adjustment component.

2. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said main body comprises said measuring device.

3. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said sensor C2 and said sensor C3 are distance sensors, each able to measure the separation distance of said furnace from said main body of said fuel burner, each of said distance sensors is directed to a point on said furnace (3) along the longitudinal axis of said fuel burner, and each point is different from the others.

4. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said sensor CI is an absorption sensor, able to measure the distance between said main body of said fuel burner and said furnace, measured along the longitudinal axis of said fuel burner.

5. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said sensor C4 is a height sensor, able to measure the height of said main body of said fuel burner.

6. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said sensor C5 is an inclination sensor, able to measure the inclination of said main body of said fuel burner.

7. Fuel burner according to claim 1, wherein said sensor C6, said sensor C7 and said sensor C8 are used to measure the dynamic pressure in said fuel burner.

8. Fuel burner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said furnace is a boiler.

9. An apparatus comprising a fuel burner according to any one of claims 1-8 and a furnace, said fuel burner being arranged in said furnace, and a computer, said apparatus further comprising a connection device connected to said sensors CI-C9 and able to receive measurements from said sensors CI-C9 and transmit them to said computer, said computer being able to process said measurements received from said connection device.

10. A method of controlling an apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said method comprises the following steps: - measuring the instantaneous position of a fuel burner according to claim 1, - sending said measurements of the instantaneous position of said fuel burner to said computer, - comparing the measurements of the instantaneous position of the fuel burner with a predetermined target position, - if a deviation between the instantaneous position and the target position is detected, issuing a warning, and - automatically changing a combustion parameter and / or changing the fuel burner position in order to return to the target position depending on the measured deviation.

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