Method for operating a gas burner device and controller

Abstract

A method for operating a gas burner device (10) including a combustion chamber (11), an ignition device (27), a fan (14), a gas safety valve unit (19) assigned to a gas conduit (16), an electric gas flow regulator (18) assigned to the gas conduit (16), and a sensor (21) positioned between the gas safety valve unit (19) and the gas flow regulator (18), wherein the gas burner device (10) operates by the following steps to determine the gas family of the gas in the gas / air mixture: before the gas burner device becomes activated: measuring ambient air pressure by the sensor (21), wherein the ambient air pressure is measured when the safety valve unit (19) is closed, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is stopped. When the gas burner device (10) becomes activated: the fan (14) operates at a defined fan speed, the opening of the gas flow regulator (18) is increased, and the ignition device (27) is activated to attempt to ignite the gas / air mixture until the activation of the ignition device results in combustion of the gas / air mixture. The air volume flow rate is determined by the fan speed of the fan (14) and the measured ambient air pressure. When the safety valve unit (19) is open, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is running, the gas pressure is measured by the sensor (21). The gas volume flow rate is determined by the opening of the gas flow regulator (18) at the start of combustion and the measured gas pressure. The ratio between the gas volume flow rate and the air volume is determined, and the gas family of the combusted gas is determined by the ratio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for operating a gas burner device. Further, this invention relates to a controller for operating a gas burner device. Background Technology

[0002] EP 2667097 A1 discloses a method for operating a gas burner device. During the burner-on phase of the gas burner device, a gas / air mixture having a defined gas-air mixing ratio is supplied to the burner for combustion. The gas-air mixing ratio of the gas / air mixture corresponds to a so-called λ value of the gas / air mixture. The gas / air mixture is supplied by a mixing device that mixes an air flow supplied by an air duct with a gas flow supplied by a gas duct. This mixing device may be provided by a Venturi nozzle. The air flow through the air duct is provided by a fan whose fan speed depends on the nominal burner load of the gas burner device, wherein the fan speed range defines a so-called adjustment range of the gas burner device. According to EP2667097A1, the defined gas-air mixing ratio of the gas / air mixture, and therefore the λ value, is kept constant throughout the adjustment range of the gas burner device by a pneumatic gas control valve. This pneumatic gas control valve is provided by a gas armature. In addition to pneumatic gas control valves, gas fittings also include safety gas valves and throttle valves for calibration. The pneumatic gas control valve uses the pressure difference between the gas pressure of the gas flow in the gas pipeline and a reference pressure, wherein ambient pressure or the air pressure of the air flow in the air pipeline is used as the reference pressure, and wherein the pressure difference between the gas pressure of the gas flow in the gas pipeline and the reference pressure is determined and controlled pneumatically. EP2667097 A1 discloses a method for operating a gas burner device, wherein a defined mixing ratio of the gas / air mixture is kept constant throughout the entire regulation range of the gas burner. This is achieved by a pneumatic gas control valve that establishes pneumatic control to maintain a constant gas-air mixing ratio within the gas / air mixture.

[0003] Instead of using a pneumatic gas control valve, it is also known in the prior art to control the gas-air mixture ratio within the gas / air mixture using an electric gas flow regulator. This invention relates to a gas burner control utilizing such an electric gas flow regulator.

[0004] DE 19824521 A1 discloses a method for controlling the gas-to-air mixture ratio and thus the λ value of a gas / air mixture based on signals provided by an electrical or electronic sensor, such as an anemometer. The actual value corresponding to the pressure ratio between the gas pressure in the gas pipeline and the air pressure in the air pipeline, or the pressure ratio corresponding to the gas pressure in the gas pipeline and the air pressure at a reference point, is provided by the electrical or electronic sensor, wherein this actual value is compared with a nominal value. A control variable for an electric gas flow regulator is generated based on the control deviation between the actual and nominal values, wherein the electric gas flow regulator is adjusted based on this control variable to control a defined gas-to-air mixture ratio in the gas / air mixture, thereby maintaining a constant λ value for the gas / air mixture.

[0005] As mentioned above, the amount of airflow supplied to the burner chamber, and thus the amount of gas / air mixture with a defined gas-air mixture ratio, depends on the desired burner load. The nominal burner load corresponds to the desired heat demand. The nominal burner load defines the fan speed at which the fan operates. The fan speed range of the gas burner unit defines the adjustment range of the gas burner unit. The maximum fan speed defines the maximum burner load of the gas burner unit. If the desired heat demand requires the maximum burner load, the fan operates at the maximum fan speed. If the desired heat demand requires 50% of the maximum burner load, the fan operates at 50% of the maximum fan speed. If the desired heat demand requires 20% of the maximum burner load, the fan operates at 20% of the maximum fan speed. As mentioned above, at any burner load and at any fan speed of the gas burner unit, the gas-air mixture ratio remains constant.

[0006] Gas burner units can operate with different gases belonging to different gas families. These gases can belong to the so-called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) family, the so-called natural gas family, or the so-called city gas family. These gas families differ from each other due to the so-called Wobbe Index, which represents the calorific value of the gas. To ensure proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in a gas burner unit, it is important to know the gas family of the gas being burned. When the gas family of the gas being burned is known, the operation of the gas burner unit can be adapted to that gas family.

[0007] Currently, considering the gas family to be burned, the operation of gas burner units requires the use of mass flow sensors. This results in high costs.

[0008] DE 10114901 A1, EP 1370806 B1 and US 6893152 B2 all disclose methods for operating gas burner devices using mass flow sensors.

[0009] The goal is to operate the gas burner device while taking into account the gas family of the gas being burned, and to determine the gas family of the gas being burned without the need for a mass flow sensor. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In this context, a novel method for operating a gas burner device is provided.

[0011] By means of the method according to the invention, the gas burner device is operated through the following steps to determine the gas family of the gas in the gas / air mixture:

[0012] Before the gas burner unit starts, the ambient air pressure is measured by a sensor located between the gas safety valve unit and the gas flow regulator. The ambient air pressure is measured when the safety valve unit is closed, the gas flow regulator is open, and the fan is stopped.

[0013] When the gas burner device is activated, the fan operates at a defined fan speed, the opening of the gas flow regulator is increased or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator is decreased, and the ignition device is activated to attempt to ignite the gas / air mixture until the activation of the ignition device results in the combustion of the gas / air mixture as monitored by the combustion monitoring device.

[0014] The air volume flow rate or air mass flow rate is determined by the fan speed and the measured ambient air pressure.

[0015] Gas pressure is measured by a sensor positioned between the gas safety valve unit and the gas flow regulator. The gas pressure is measured when the safety valve unit is open, the gas flow regulator is open, and the fan is running.

[0016] The gas volume flow rate or gas mass flow rate is determined by the opening degree of the gas flow regulator or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator when the ignition device is activated or at the start of combustion, and the measured gas pressure.

[0017] Determine the ratio between the gas volume flow rate and the air volume flow rate, or the ratio between the gas mass flow rate and the air mass flow rate.

[0018] The gas family of the combusted gas is determined by the corresponding ratio, that is, whether the combusted gas belongs to the liquefied petroleum gas family, the natural gas family, or the city gas family.

[0019] The method according to the invention allows for the determination of the gas family of the gas to be burned without the need for a mass flow sensor.

[0020] Based on the determined gas family, proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in the gas burner unit can be ensured.

[0021] The method may further include the following steps: measuring the ambient air temperature; determining the air mass flow rate based on the air volumetric flow rate and the ambient air temperature; measuring the gas temperature; and determining the gas mass flow rate based on the gas volumetric flow rate and the gas temperature. This allows for further improvements in determining the gas family of the gas to be burned without requiring a mass flow sensor.

[0022] The method may further include the step of determining a set of operating parameters for controlling the combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber of a gas burner device, based on the gas family of the combusted gas. Proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in the gas burner device can be ensured based on this set of operating parameters.

[0023] The method may further include the following steps: determining a preliminary gas family of gases to be burned based on gas pressure measured when the safety valve unit is open, the gas flow regulator is open, and the fan is running. Determining a preliminary set of parameters for starting the gas burner device based on the preliminary gas family of gases to be burned. These method steps can improve the startup of the gas burner device.

[0024] The method may further include the following steps: operating the gas burner device based on the set of operating parameters to control the gas-to-air mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture at a constant value; determining the opening degree of the gas flow regulator or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator to maintain the gas-to-air mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture at the constant value; and verifying the previously detected gas family of the combusted gas based on the opening degree of the gas flow regulator or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator. With these method steps, the operation of the gas burner device can be further improved, thereby ensuring proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in the gas burner device.

[0025] Claim 12 defines a controller for operating a gas burner device according to the invention.

[0026] Preferred improvements to the invention are provided by the dependent claims and the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The exemplary embodiments will be explained in more detail based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1A first gas burner device operated by the method and controller of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 2 A second gas burner device operated by the method and controller of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This invention relates to a method and controller for operating a gas burner device. The invention allows for the determination of the gas family of the gas in the gas / air mixture burned by the gas burner device. Furthermore, the invention allows for the operation of the gas burner device based on the determined gas family to ensure proper combustion.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first exemplary gas burner device 10 is shown. The gas burner device 10 includes a gas burner chamber 11, in which combustion of a gas / air mixture M having a defined mixing ratio of gas G and air A occurs during the burner start-up phase of the gas burner device 10. The mixing ratio of gas G to air A in the gas / air mixture M corresponds to a so-called λ value of the gas / air mixture M.

[0032] Ignition device 27 is used to ignite the gas / air mixture M to achieve combustion of the gas / air mixture M within the combustion chamber 11. Ignition device 27 of the gas burner device 10 is preferably located within the combustion chamber 11. Ignition device 27 can be activated by controller 26 of the gas burner device 10.

[0033] The combustion of the fuel / air mixture produces flame 12. The combustion of the fuel / air mixture that produces flame 12 is monitored by combustion monitoring device 13. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the combustion monitoring device 13 is provided by a flame ionization sensor. This flame ionization sensor provides an electrical flame ionization current as an output signal.

[0034] The combustion monitoring device 13 provides its output signal to the controller 26.

[0035] The gas / air mixture M is supplied to the burner chamber 11 of the gas burner unit 10 by mixing the flow of air A with the flow of gas G. A fan 14 draws in air A flowing through an air duct 15 and gas G flowing through a gas duct 16. The fan 14 is operated by a controller 26.

[0036] A gas flow regulator 18 for adjusting the gas flow through the gas conduit 16 and a safety gas valve unit 19, preferably having two safety gas valves 19a, are provided to the gas conduit 16. The gas flow regulator 18 and the safety gas valves 19a are part of a gas fitting 17, which further includes a sieve 20 and at least one sensor 21.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In this configuration, sensor 21 is a pressure and temperature sensor that measures both pressure and temperature. It is possible that the gas fitting 17 may include separate sensors to measure both pressure and temperature. It is also possible that the gas fitting 17 may include only a pressure sensor.

[0038] At least one sensor 21 provides its output signal to the controller 26.

[0039] Gas safety valve 19a is operated by an electric coil 22, which is part of the gas fitting 17. During the burner start-up phase, the electric coil 22 is energized by the controller 26 to open the gas safety valve 19a. During the burner shut-off phase, the gas safety valve 19a is closed. Figure 1 In this system, each gas safety valve 19a is operated by a separate coil 22. Gas safety valves 19a can also be operated via a common coil 22.

[0040] The gas flow regulator 18 is operated by a motor 23, which also has an electrical coil 24. The gas flow regulator 18 is an electrical gas flow regulator 18 operated by a controller 26.

[0041] A gas / air mixture M, having a defined mixing ratio of gas G and air A, is supplied to the burner chamber 11 of the gas burner unit 10. The gas / air mixture M is provided by mixing an air flow A supplied by air conduit 15 with a gas flow G supplied by gas conduit 16. The air and gas flows are mixed via a mixing device 25. The mixing device 25 may be a venturi nozzle.

[0042] The amount of airflow A, and thus the amount of gas / air mixture flow M, is adjusted by fan 14 (i.e., by the speed of fan 14). The fan speed can be adjusted based on the nominal burner load. Fan 14 is operated by controller 26. The fan speed range of fan 14 defines the adjustment range of the gas burner unit 10. Adjustment "1" means that fan 14 operates at its maximum fan speed (100% of the maximum fan speed), and thus at full load of the gas burner unit 10. Adjustment "2" means that fan 14 operates at 50% of the maximum fan speed, and adjustment "5" means that fan 14 operates at 20% of the maximum fan speed. By changing the fan speed of fan 14, the burner load of the gas burner unit 10 can be adjusted.

[0043] Throughout the entire adjustment range of the gas burner device 10, the defined mixing ratio of gas G and air A in the gas / air mixture M, and thus the λ value of the gas / air mixture M, remains constant. The defined mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture M in the gas / air mixture M is controlled by the electric gas flow regulator 18 of the gas fitting 17 within the adjustment range of the gas burner device, so as to maintain a constant defined gas-air mixing ratio within the adjustment range of the gas burner device 10, and thus maintain a constant λ value. Figure 1 In this process, the controller 26 generates an electrical gas flow regulator 18 based on the flame ionization current provided by the flame ionization sensor 13, which is the control variable used to maintain a constant λ value.

[0044] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another exemplary gas burner device 10' is shown.

[0045] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this context, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following references are only for... Figure 2 Describe the differences between gas burner devices 10 and 10'.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the gas / air mixture M, the constant mixing ratio of gas G and air A is controlled by an electric gas flow regulator 18 based on a signal provided by an electric or electronic pressure sensor 28, rather than based on a flame ionization current provided by a flame ionization sensor 13.

[0047] exist Figure 2 In this configuration, the electrical or electronic sensor 28 can provide the controller 26 with an actual value corresponding to the pressure ratio between the gas pressure in the gas pipe 16 and the air pressure in the air pipe 15, or the pressure ratio between the gas pressure in the gas pipe 16 and the air pressure at a reference point. The controller 26 can compare the actual value with a nominal value. In this case, the controller 26 can generate a control variable for the electrical gas flow regulator 18 based on the control deviation between the actual and nominal values, wherein the gas flow regulator 18 can operate based on this control variable to maintain a defined gas-air mixture ratio constant throughout the entire regulation range of the gas burner device 10 and thus maintain a constant λ value.

[0048] exist Figure 2 In this process, the combustion monitoring device 13 can be provided by a photodiode that monitors the presence of the flame 12.

[0049] According to the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2The method for operating a gas burner device, preferably gas burner devices 10, 10', allows for the determination of the gas family of the gas in the gas / air mixture. The method includes the following steps:

[0050] Before the gas burner units 10, 10' are started, the ambient air pressure is measured by pressure and temperature sensor 21.

[0051] The ambient air pressure is measured when the safety gas valve unit 19, which has at least one gas safety valve 19a, is closed, the gas flow regulator 18 is open, and the fan 14 is stopped. The pressure and temperature sensor 21 can also measure the ambient air temperature when the safety gas valve unit 19 is closed, the gas flow regulator 18 is open, and the fan 14 is stopped.

[0052] When the gas burner devices 10 and 10' are activated, fan 14 operates at a defined fan speed, increasing the opening of gas flow regulator 18 or decreasing the flow resistance of gas flow regulator 18, while simultaneously activating ignition device 27 to attempt to ignite the gas / air mixture M until the activation of ignition device 27 results in combustion of the gas / air mixture. Combustion of the gas / air mixture is monitored by combustion monitoring device 13.

[0053] The air volume flow rate or air mass flow rate is determined by the fan speed of fan 14 and the measured ambient air pressure.

[0054] The gas pressure is measured by pressure and temperature sensor 21. The gas pressure is also measured when the gas flow regulator 18 is open and the fan 14 is running, with the safety gas valve unit 19, which has two safety valves 19a, open.

[0055] The pressure and temperature sensor 21 can also measure the gas temperature.

[0056] The gas volume flow rate or gas mass flow rate is determined by the opening degree of the gas flow regulator 18 when the ignition device is activated or at the start of combustion, or by the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18 and the measured gas pressure.

[0057] Determine the ratio between the volumetric flow rate of the gas and the volumetric flow rate of the air, or the ratio between the mass flow rate of the gas and the mass flow rate of the air.

[0058] When pressure and temperature sensors 21 measure ambient air temperature and gas temperature, gas mass flow rate can be determined based on gas volume flow rate and gas temperature, and air mass flow rate can be determined based on air volume flow rate and ambient air temperature. This can be accomplished based on characteristic curves, characteristic graphs, or characteristic tables implemented within controller 26.

[0059] The gas family of the combusted gas is determined by the ratio between the gas volume flow rate and the air volume flow rate, or by the ratio between the gas mass flow rate and the air mass flow rate. Specifically, it is determined whether the combusted gas belongs to the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) family, the natural gas family, or the city gas family. This can also be accomplished based on characteristic curves, characteristic diagrams, or characteristic tables implemented within the controller 26.

[0060] The method according to the invention determines the gas family of the combusted gas. Based on the determined gas family, proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in the gas burner devices 10, 10' can be ensured.

[0061] Preferably, the method includes the following steps: initially determining a preliminary gas family of the gas to be burned based on the gas pressure measured by sensor 21 when safety valve unit 19 is open, gas flow regulator 18 is open, and fan 14 is running. Based on the preliminary gas family of the gas to be burned, a preliminary set of parameters for starting the gas burner devices 10, 10' is determined. This preliminary set of parameters can be implemented within controller 26. These method steps improve the startup of the gas burner devices 10, 10'.

[0062] Preferably, the method includes the step of determining a set of operating parameters for controlling the combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber 11 of the gas burner devices 10 and 10' based on the gas family of the combusted gas. This set of operating parameters can be implemented within the controller 26. Proper combustion of the gas / air mixture in the gas burner devices 10 and 10' can be ensured based on this set of operating parameters.

[0063] After the gas family of the combusted gas has been determined, and after the set of operating parameters for controlling the combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber 11 of the gas burner devices 10 and 10' has been determined based on this gas family, the gas burner devices 10 and 10' can be operated at a defined burner load. This defined burner load is preferably at least 50% of the maximum burner load, most preferably at least 75% of the maximum burner load, or at the maximum burner load. Under this defined burner load, the gas-to-air mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture is controlled at a constant value using the set of operating parameters. The opening degree or flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18 is determined to maintain the gas-to-air mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture at a constant value. The gas family of the combusted gas is verified based on the opening degree or flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18. For example, it can be checked whether the opening degree or flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18, as well as the ambient air pressure and gas pressure, match the corresponding values ​​of the relevant gas family. If so, verification confirms that the determined gas family is correct. If not, verification confirms that the determined gas family is incorrect. If the gas family is found to be incorrect, the method for determining the gas family is repeated.

[0064] As mentioned above, the electric gas flow regulator 18 of the gas burner devices 10, 10' controls the gas-air mixing ratio or the λ value within the adjustment range of the gas burner devices 10, 10'.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In this process, the electric gas flow regulator 18 controls the defined mixing ratio or λ value of the gas / air mixture by measuring the flame ionization current through the combustion monitoring device 13 and generating a control variable for the electric gas flow regulator 18 based on this flame ionization current. Figure 2 In the process, the pressure difference between the gas pressure and the air pressure is measured by the electrical or electronic sensor 28 of the gas burner device 10', and the control variable of the electrical gas flow regulator 18 is generated based on the output signal provided by the electrical or electronic sensor 28.

[0066] The electric gas flow regulator 18 of the gas fitting 17 is operated by energizing the coil 24 of the gas fitting 17. At least one safety gas valve 19a of the gas fitting 17 is operated by energizing at least one coil 22 of the gas fitting 17.

[0067] The method may include the following steps: determining at least one coil resistance of at least one of the coils 22, 24; determining at least one temperature offset based on the at least one coil resistance and based on at least one time interval during which the respective coils 22, 24 become energized; compensating for the measured ambient air temperature and / or the measured gas temperature by the at least one temperature offset, thereby providing a compensated ambient air temperature and / or a compensated gas temperature; determining an air mass flow rate based on ambient air pressure and based on the compensated ambient air temperature, and / or determining a gas mass flow rate based on gas pressure and / or based on the compensated gas temperature.

[0068] Preferably, the coil resistance of the respective coils 22, 24 is calculated based on the current and based on the voltage measured at or across the respective coils 22, 24.

[0069] The present invention further provides a controller 26 for operating gas burner devices 10, 10'. The controller 26 is configured to operate gas burner devices 10, 10' according to the method described above.

[0070] The controller 26 is configured to determine the nominal burner load that provides the heat demand based on the heat demand, wherein the nominal burner load is the load within the regulation range of the gas burner units 10, 10'.

[0071] The controller 26 is further configured to determine the fan speed of the fan 14 required to supply the nominal burner load for the gas burner units 10, 10', wherein the fan speed range of the fan 14 defines the adjustment range of the gas burner units 10, 10'.

[0072] The controller 26 is further configured to receive measured ambient air pressure and preferably measured ambient air temperature from the sensor 21, wherein the ambient air pressure and preferably ambient air temperature are measured when the safety valve unit 19 is closed, the gas flow regulator 18 is open and the fan 14 is stopped (i.e. before the gas burner units 10, 10' become activated).

[0073] The controller 26 is further configured to receive measured gas pressure and preferably measured gas temperature from the sensor 21, wherein the gas pressure and preferably measured gas temperature are measured when the safety valve unit 19 is open, the gas flow regulator 18 is open, and the fan 14 is running.

[0074] The controller 26 is further configured to operate the fan 14 at a defined fan speed and increase the opening of the gas flow regulator 18 or decrease the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18, while also activating the ignition device 27, i.e., when the gas burner devices 10, 10' become activated.

[0075] The controller 26 is further configured to receive from the combustion monitoring device 13 a signal indicating that the activation of the ignition device 27 results in combustion of the gas / air mixture. When the activation of the ignition device 27 results in combustion of the gas / air mixture, the controller 26 is further configured to determine the corresponding opening degree of the gas flow regulator 18 or the corresponding flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18.

[0076] The controller 26 is further configured to determine the air volume flow rate or air mass flow rate based on the fan speed of the fan 14 and the measured ambient air pressure.

[0077] The controller 26 is further configured to determine the gas volume flow rate or gas mass flow rate by the opening of the gas flow regulator 18 or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator 18 and the measured gas pressure when the ignition device 27 is activated or combustion begins.

[0078] The controller 26 is further configured to determine the ratio between the gas volume flow rate and the air volume flow rate or the ratio between the gas mass flow rate and the air mass flow rate, and to determine the gas family of the gas being burned, i.e., whether the gas being burned belongs to the liquefied petroleum gas family, the natural gas family, or the city gas family, based on the corresponding ratio.

[0079] The controller 26 is further configured to adjust the settings of the gas burner device based on the determined gas family. This setting is preferably in... Figure 1 The relationship between ionization current and λ value is described in the text.

[0080] List of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0081] 10 Gas burner unit

[0082] 10' Gas Burner Unit

[0083] 11. Combustion Chamber

[0084] 12 Flames

[0085] 13 Combustion monitoring equipment

[0086] 14 fans

[0087] 15. Air ducts

[0088] 16 Gas pipelines

[0089] 17 Gas fittings

[0090] 18 Gas flow regulator

[0091] 19 Safety Gas Valve Unit

[0092] 19a Safety Gas Valve

[0093] 20 mesh

[0094] 21 Sensors

[0095] 22 coils

[0096] 23 motors

[0097] 24 coils

[0098] 25 Mixers

[0099] 26 Controllers

[0100] 27 Ignition equipment

[0101] 28 Electrical or electronic sensors

Claims

1. A method for operating a gas burner assembly (10, 10'), the gas burner assembly (10, 10') comprising: Combustion chamber (11), in which a gas / air mixture having a defined mixing ratio of gas and air is burned, Ignition device (27) for igniting the gas / air mixture to achieve combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber (11). A combustion monitoring device (13) for monitoring whether combustion occurs in the combustion chamber (11), A mixing device (25) for providing the gas / air mixture by mixing an air flow provided by an air duct (15) with a gas flow provided by a gas duct (16). A fan (14) is used to provide the airflow or the flow of the gas / air mixture in such a way that the fan speed of the fan (14) depends on the nominal burner load of the gas burner unit (10, 10'). A gas safety valve unit (19) having at least one gas safety valve (19a) assigned to the gas pipeline (16) to open or close the gas pipeline (16). An electric gas flow regulator (18) assigned to the gas pipeline (16) is used to maintain a constant gas-to-air mixture ratio within the defined range of the gas burner device (10, 10') of the gas / air mixture. A sensor (21) is positioned between the gas safety valve unit (19) and the gas flow regulator (18), the sensor (21) being configured to provide at least a pressure measurement result. The gas burner device (10, 10') operates by determining the gas family of the gas in the gas / air mixture through the following steps: Before the gas burner unit (10, 10') becomes activated, The ambient air pressure is measured by the sensor (21). When the safety valve unit (19) is closed, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is stopped, the ambient air pressure is measured. When the gas burner device (10, 10') becomes activated, The fan (14) is operated at the specified fan speed. Increasing the opening of the gas flow regulator (18) or decreasing the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator (18) simultaneously activates the ignition device (27) to attempt to ignite the gas / air mixture until the activation of the ignition device (27) results in combustion of the gas / air mixture as monitored by the combustion monitoring device (13). The air volume flow rate or air mass flow rate is determined by the fan speed of the fan (14) and the measured ambient air pressure. When the safety valve unit (19) is open, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is running, the gas pressure is measured by the sensor (21). The gas volume flow rate or gas mass flow rate is determined by the opening degree of the gas flow regulator (18) or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator (18) when the ignition device (27) is activated or when combustion begins, and by the measured gas pressure. Determine the ratio between the gas volume flow rate and the air volume flow rate, or the ratio between the gas mass flow rate and the air mass flow rate. The gas family of the combusted gas is determined by the corresponding ratio, that is, whether the combusted gas belongs to the liquefied petroleum gas family, the natural gas family, or the city gas family.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Measure ambient air temperature. The air mass flow rate is determined based on the air volume flow rate and the ambient air temperature.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ambient air temperature is measured when the safety valve unit (19) is closed and the gas flow regulator (18) is open.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Measure the gas temperature. The gas mass flow rate is determined based on the gas volume flow rate and the gas temperature.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gas temperature is measured when the safety valve unit (19) is open, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is running.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, The ambient air temperature and / or the gas temperature are measured by a sensor (21) positioned between the gas safety valve unit (19) and the gas flow regulator (18).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The preliminary gas family of the gas to be burned is initially determined by the gas pressure measured when the safety valve unit (19) is open, the gas flow regulator (18) is open, and the fan (14) is running. Based on the preliminary gas family of the gas to be burned, a preliminary set of parameters for starting the gas burner device (10, 10') is determined.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Based on the family of gases being burned, a set of operating parameters is determined to control the combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber (11) of the gas burner device (10, 10').

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The gas burner device (10, 10') is operated based on the set of operating parameters to control the gas-to-air mixing ratio of the gas / air mixture at a constant value. The opening degree of the gas flow regulator (18) or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator (18) is determined to maintain the gas-to-air mixing ratio of the gas / air mixture at the constant value. The family of gases to be burned is verified based on the opening degree of the gas flow regulator (18) or the flow resistance of the gas flow regulator (18).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The electric gas flow regulator (18) controls the defined mixing ratio of gas and air in the gas / air mixture in the following manner: The flame ionization current is measured by a flame ionization sensor of the gas burner device (10, 10'), which monitors the flame (12) generated by the combustion of the gas / air mixture in the combustion chamber (11), and the control variable of the electric gas flow regulator (18) is generated based on the flame ionization current. The pressure difference between the gas pressure and the air pressure is measured by an electrical or electronic sensor (28) of the gas burner device (10, 10'), and the control variable of the electrical gas flow regulator (18) is generated based on the output signal provided by the electrical or electronic sensor (28).

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, The electric gas flow regulator (18) of the gas fitting (17) is operated by energizing the second coil (24) of the gas fitting (17). At least one gas safety valve (19a) of the gas fitting (17) is operated by energizing at least one first coil (22) of the gas fitting (17). Determine the resistance of at least one coil of at least one of the first and second coils (22, 24). At least one temperature shift is determined based on the resistance of the at least one coil and based on at least one time interval during which the corresponding first or second coil (22, 24) becomes energized. By compensating the measured ambient air temperature and / or compensating the measured gas temperature through at least one temperature offset, a compensated ambient air temperature and / or a compensated gas temperature is provided. The air mass flow rate is determined based on the ambient air pressure and the compensated ambient air temperature, and / or the gas mass flow rate is determined based on the gas pressure and / or the compensated gas temperature.

12. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sensor (21) is integrated into the sensor (21) that provides the pressure measurement results.

13. A controller (26) for operating a gas burner device (10, 10'), the controller (26) being configured to: The nominal burner load that provides the heat demand is determined based on the heat demand, wherein the nominal burner load is the load within the adjustment range of the gas burner unit (10, 10'). The fan speed of the fan (14) of the gas burner unit (10, 10') required to supply the burner load is determined based on the nominal burner load, wherein the fan speed range of the fan (14) defines the adjustment range of the gas burner unit (10, 10'). Its features are, The controller (26) is further configured to operate the gas burner device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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