Flame velocity measuring device, flame velocity measuring method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a flame velocity measuring device, a flame velocity measuring method, and a program that can measure the flame velocity inside an incinerator at a relatively low cost. [Solution] The flame velocity measuring device 90 includes a processing device 92 that calculates the flame velocity based on a first image G1 acquired at a first timing M1 by an imaging device 91 that acquires an image of the flame inside the incinerator 10, and a second image G2 acquired by the imaging device 91 at a second timing M2 that is different from the first timing M1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present application relates to a flame flow rate measuring device, a flame flow rate measuring method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for determining the situation inside an incinerator, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6543390 describes a method for determining the situation inside a furnace using a three-dimensional video. This method for determining the situation inside a furnace includes a video acquisition step, a three-dimensional video creation step, a flame cross-sectional area calculation step, and a flame flow rate calculation step. In the video acquisition step, videos of flames reaching from the primary combustion zone to the secondary combustion zone are acquired respectively using a plurality of imaging devices with different viewpoints. In the three-dimensional video creation step, a three-dimensional video including the flame in the secondary combustion zone is created by performing image synthesis processing on the plurality of videos from different viewpoints acquired in the video acquisition step. In the flame cross-sectional area calculation step, by analyzing the three-dimensional video, the time change of the flame cross-sectional area of the secondary combustion zone cut by a predetermined virtual plane intersecting the flow path of the combustion gas is calculated. In the flame flow rate calculation step, by analyzing the three-dimensional video, the time change of the flame flow rate in the direction along the flow path of the combustion gas is calculated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the method for determining the situation inside a furnace described in Japanese Patent No. 6543390, since a plurality of videos from different viewpoints are taken using two cameras and a three-dimensional video is generated by image synthesis processing from the plurality of videos, two cameras and a high-performance image processing device are required, resulting in an increase in cost.

[0005] The problem that the technology disclosed in this application can solve is to provide a flame velocity measuring device, a flame velocity measuring method, and a program that can measure the flame velocity in an incinerator at a relatively low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the first feature, the flame velocity measuring device includes a processing device that calculates the flame velocity based on a first image acquired at a first timing by an imaging device that acquires an image of the flame inside the incinerator, and a second image acquired by the imaging device at a second timing different from the first timing.

[0007] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the first feature, the processing unit calculates the flame velocity based on the first and second images acquired by the same imaging device. Therefore, compared to the case where multiple imaging devices are used, the flame velocity can be measured at a relatively low cost.

[0008] According to the second feature, in the flame velocity measuring device relating to the first feature, the processing device calculates the flame velocity based on the first and second images without using flame images acquired by other imaging devices.

[0009] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the second feature, since it does not use flame images acquired by other imaging devices, the load on the processing device can be made relatively low compared to the case where multiple images acquired by multiple imaging devices are used. This allows for a reduction in the cost of the processing device by lowering its specifications, or an increase in the processing speed of the processing device. Therefore, flame velocity can be measured more cheaply, or flame velocity can be measured relatively cheaply and quickly.

[0010] According to the third feature, in the flame velocity measuring device relating to the first or second feature, the processing device calculates the flame velocity based on the first and second images without generating a three-dimensional image using the first and second images.

[0011] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the third feature, since the processing unit does not generate a 3D image, the load on the processing unit can be made relatively low compared to cases where a 3D image is generated, and the cost of the processing unit can be reduced. Therefore, the flame velocity can be measured at a lower cost.

[0012] According to the fourth feature, in a flame velocity measuring device relating to any one of the first to third features, the processing device calculates the distance traveled by the flame based on the first image and the second image, and calculates the flame velocity based on the time difference between the first timing and the second timing and the distance traveled.

[0013] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the fourth feature, the flame velocity is calculated using the distance traveled and the time difference, which simplifies the calculations in the processing unit and reduces the load on the processing unit. As a result, the cost of the processing unit can be reduced by lowering its specifications, or the processing speed of the processing unit can be increased. Consequently, the flame velocity can be measured more cheaply, or the flame velocity can be measured relatively cheaply and quickly.

[0014] According to the fifth feature, in the flame velocity measuring device relating to the fourth feature, the processing device calculates the flame velocity based on a first unit image which is a part of the first image and a second unit image which is a part of the second image and has the same size as the first unit image.

[0015] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the fifth feature, the processing unit calculates the flame velocity based on the first unit image and the second unit image, which are parts of the first and second images. This further reduces the load on the processing unit, and by lowering the specifications of the processing unit, the cost of the processing unit can be further reduced, or the processing speed of the processing unit can be further increased. Therefore, the flame velocity can be measured more reliably and inexpensively, or the flame velocity can be measured relatively inexpensively and even faster.

[0016] According to the sixth feature, in the flame velocity measuring device relating to the fifth feature, the processing device acquires the first luminance value distribution of the first unit image, which is a predetermined range within the first image, identifies the range having the luminance value distribution with the highest correlation to the first luminance value distribution within the second image as the second unit image, and calculates the distance between the first center coordinate of the first unit image in the first image and the second center coordinate of the second unit image in the second image as the displacement distance.

[0017] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the sixth feature, the processing device identifies the range having the brightness value distribution with the first brightness value distribution of the first unit image as the second unit image. By using the distance between the first and second center coordinates as the displacement distance, the distance the flame moves between the first and second timings can be calculated with relatively accuracy. Therefore, the flame velocity can be measured relatively inexpensively and accurately.

[0018] According to the seventh feature, in the flame velocity measuring device relating to the sixth feature, the processing device defines a first unit image at multiple locations within the first image, and identifies the same number of second unit images corresponding to the first unit image using the same number of luminance value distributions. The processing device calculates the distance between the first center coordinate and the second center coordinate as the travel distance at multiple locations. Based on the travel distance and time difference calculated at multiple locations, the processing device obtains the flame velocity at multiple locations.

[0019] In the flame velocity measuring device relating to the seventh feature, the processing unit acquires the flame velocity at multiple locations, so a two-dimensional distribution of flame velocity can be obtained. For example, the flame velocity at the required locations can be used to control the incinerator, or the average value of a part or the whole can be calculated and used to control the incinerator.

[0020] According to the eighth feature, in a flame velocity measuring device relating to any one of the first to seventh features, the processing device calculates the flame velocity using an image correlation method based on the first and second images.

[0021] In the flame flow rate measuring device according to the eighth feature, by using the image correlation method, the load on the processing device can be relatively low, and by reducing the specifications of the processing device, the cost of the processing device can be reduced, or the computing speed of the processing device can be increased. Therefore, the flow rate of the flame can be measured at a lower cost, or the flow rate of the flame can be measured relatively cheaply and quickly. According to the ninth feature, in the flame flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to eighth features, the first image and the second image are images of two consecutive frames.

[0022] In the flame flow rate measuring device according to the ninth feature, a plurality of images acquired by the imaging device can be used without waste, and the specifications of the imaging device can be utilized to the maximum extent. Therefore, the flow rate of the flame can be measured at a relatively low cost including the imaging device.

[0023] According to the tenth feature, in the flame flow rate measuring device according to any one of the first to ninth features, the device further includes an imaging device for acquiring an image of the flame in the incinerator.

[0024] In the flame flow rate measuring device according to the tenth feature, the flow rate of the flame can be measured at a relatively low cost including the imaging device.

[0025] [[ID=I7]] According to the eleventh feature, in the flame flow rate measuring device according to the tenth feature, the frame rate of the imaging device is 120 fps or more.

[0026] ` In the flame flow rate measuring device according to the eleventh feature, the first image and the second image can be acquired relatively quickly, so that even when the speed of the flame is high, the speed of the flame can be accurately calculated.

[0027] According to the twelfth feature, the flame flow rate measuring method includes a flame flow rate calculation step of calculating the flow rate of the flame by a processing device based on a first image acquired by an imaging device at a first timing and a second image acquired by the imaging device at a second timing different from the first timing of an image of the flame in the incinerator.

[0028] In the flame velocity measurement method relating to the 12th feature, the processing unit calculates the flame velocity based on the first and second images acquired by the same imaging device, so the flame velocity can be measured relatively inexpensively compared to the case where multiple imaging devices are used.

[0029] According to the 13th feature, in the flame velocity measurement method relating to the 12th feature, in the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity is calculated by the processing device based on the first and second images without using images acquired by other imaging devices.

[0030] In the flame velocity measurement method relating to the 13th feature, since flame images acquired by other imaging devices are not used, the load on the processing device can be made relatively low compared to the case where multiple images acquired by multiple imaging devices are used, and the cost of the processing device can be reduced by lowering the specifications of the processing device, or the processing speed of the processing device can be increased. Therefore, flame velocity can be measured more cheaply, or flame velocity can be measured relatively cheaply and quickly.

[0031] According to the 14th feature, in the flame velocity measurement method relating to the 12th or 13th feature, in the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity is calculated by the processing device based on the first and second images without generating a three-dimensional image using the first and second images.

[0032] In the flame velocity measurement method relating to the 14th feature, a 3D image is not generated in the flame velocity calculation step. Therefore, the load on the processing unit can be relatively low compared to the case where a 3D image is generated, and the cost of the processing unit can be reduced. Consequently, the flame velocity can be measured at a lower cost.

[0033] According to the 15th feature, the program includes an instruction to cause the processor of the processing unit to execute a flame velocity measurement method relating to any one of the 12th to 14th features.

[0034] The program related to the 15th feature allows for the measurement of flame velocity relatively inexpensively using a processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] The technology disclosed herein provides a flame velocity measuring device, a flame velocity measuring method, and a program that can measure the flame velocity inside an incinerator at a relatively low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a waste treatment facility equipped with an incinerator and a flame velocity measuring device according to an embodiment of the facility. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the flame velocity measuring device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the first unit image of the first image and the second unit image of the second image. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the calculation of flame travel distance and flow velocity based on the first center coordinates of the first unit image and the second center coordinates of the second unit image. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the second unit image is defined as the range having the highest correlation with the first unit image's first luminance value distribution at multiple locations. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the results of calculating the flame velocity at multiple locations. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the flame velocity measurement method. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the flame velocity calculation steps. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate corresponding or identical components.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the waste treatment facility 1 comprises an incinerator 10, a first air supply device 20, and a second air supply device 30. The incinerator 10 is equipment for incinerating waste. The combustion gas discharged from the incinerator 10 is discharged to the outside through a chimney, passing through, for example, a boiler, economizer, cooling tower, dust collector, and induced draft fan (not shown).

[0039] The incinerator 10 includes an input hopper 11, a dust feeder 12, a combustion device 13, and a furnace body 14. The furnace body 14 has a primary combustion chamber 14A, a secondary combustion chamber 14B, and an ash discharge port 14C. The combustion device 13 is located inside the primary combustion chamber 14A of the furnace body 14. The secondary combustion chamber 14B is located above the primary combustion chamber 14A. The first air supply device 20 supplies air to the primary combustion chamber 14A from below the combustion device 13. The second air supply device 30 supplies air to the secondary combustion chamber 14B in order to burn unburned gas contained in the combustion gas flowing from the primary combustion chamber 14A to the secondary combustion chamber 14B.

[0040] Waste materials such as garbage are fed into the input hopper 11. The dust supply device 12 supplies the waste materials fed into the input hopper 11 to the combustion device 13. The combustion device 13 burns the waste materials supplied from the dust supply device 12 at a high temperature while stirring them, and finally turns them into ash. The incinerated ash discharged from the combustion device 13 is discharged, for example, from the ash discharge port 14C to an ash conveying device (not shown).

[0041] The combustion device 13 includes a drying stoker 13A, a combustion stoker 13B, and a post-combustion stoker 13C. The first air supply device 20 can independently supply air to each of the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C. The first air supply device 20 can independently adjust the amount of air supplied to the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C. For example, the first air supply device 20 includes a blower 21 and three dampers 22, 23, and 24. The dampers 22, 23, and 24 are provided in ducts connected to the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C, respectively. By adjusting the opening of the dampers 22, 23, and 24, the amount of air supplied to the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C can be independently adjusted.

[0042] Furthermore, the dust supply device 12, drying stoker 13A, combustion stoker 13B, and post-combustion stoker 13C can each be driven separately by a hydraulic system (not shown). The driving speeds of the dust supply device 12, drying stoker 13A, combustion stoker 13B, and post-combustion stoker 13C can be adjusted separately, for example, using proportional solenoid valves provided in the hydraulic system.

[0043] The drying stoker 13A dries the waste supplied by the dust supply device 12 while agitating it with air supplied from the first air supply device 20. The combustion stoker 13B and post-combustion stoker 13C burn the waste dried by the drying stoker 13A at a high temperature while agitating it, ultimately turning it into ash. Note that the stoker is an example of the combustion device 13. The combustion device 13 may be a device other than a stoker. In addition to garbage, other materials processed in the incinerator 10 include, for example, sludge and biomass.

[0044] When the waste is being burned in the combustion device 13, the automatic combustion control automatically adjusts the driving speed of the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C, as well as the amount of air supplied from the first air supply device 20 to each of the drying stoker 13A, the combustion stoker 13B, and the post-combustion stoker 13C. At this time, the flame velocity of the incinerator 10 can serve as one indicator when controlling the waste treatment facility 1.

[0045] Therefore, the waste treatment facility 1 is equipped with a flame velocity measuring device 90. The flame velocity measuring device 90 includes an imaging device 91 and a processing device 92. The imaging device 91 acquires images of the flame inside the incinerator 10. For example, the imaging device 91 acquires multiple images continuously at a predetermined period, that is, it shoots a video at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging device 91 is, for example, located outside the incinerator 10 and photographs the flame near the burnout point of the combustion device 13 from a glass window provided downstream of the combustion device 13. Therefore, the imaging device 91 can continuously acquire multiple images of the flame inside the incinerator 10 at a predetermined frame rate. Considering the normal flame velocity, the frame rate of the imaging device 91 is preferably 120 fps or higher, but depending on the specifications of the incinerator 10, it may be less than 120 fps (for example, 60 fps).

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the processing unit 92 is electrically connected to the imaging device 91, and it acquires the image captured by the imaging device 91 and performs the necessary processing. The processing unit 92 includes, for example, an image processing unit 93, a user interface 94, and a display 95.

[0047] The image processing device 93 includes, for example, an arithmetic unit 96 and a storage device 97. The arithmetic unit 96 is electrically connected to the storage device 97. The arithmetic unit 96 includes, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit). When performing image processing, it is preferable that a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) is installed. The storage device 97 includes, for example, at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. An example of volatile memory includes at least one of RAM (Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). An example of non-volatile memory includes at least one of ROM (Read Only Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0048] The image processing device 93 is programmed to implement the control algorithm for the flame velocity measuring device 90. The storage device 97 of the image processing device 93 stores software, such as a program for implementing the control algorithm for the flame velocity measuring device 90. The arithmetic unit 96 implements the control algorithm for the processing device by reading and executing the program stored in the storage device 97. In other words, the various functions of the flame velocity measuring device 90 are realized through the cooperation of software and hardware.

[0049] The configuration of the image processing device 93 is not limited to the arithmetic unit 96 and the storage device 97. The configuration of the arithmetic unit 96 and the storage device 97 is not limited to the configuration described above. The configuration of the image processing device 93 can be realized by hardware alone or by a combination of hardware and software. In addition, the arithmetic unit 96 and the storage device 97 may be configured on a single chip, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0050] The user interface 94 is configured to accept user input. The user inputs information such as input data to the processing unit via the user interface 94. The user interface 94 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The user interface 94 may also include other user interfaces 94, such as a touch panel. The image processing unit 93 is electrically connected to the user interface 94 to receive the user input received by the user interface 94. The image processing unit 93 is electrically connected to the user interface 94 to store the user input received by the user interface 94 in the storage unit 97.

[0051] The display 95 is configured to display the output of the image processing device 93. The image processing device 93 is configured to control the display 95 so that it displays the output. For example, the display 95 is configured to display input data input to the user interface 94. The image processing device 93 is electrically connected to the display 95 so that it controls the display 95 so that it displays the input data.

[0052] The processing unit 92 continuously acquires multiple images captured by the imaging unit 91 from the imaging unit 91. Based on the multiple images, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity inside the incinerator 10. Here, "image" refers to data containing multiple pixels. A "pixel" is the smallest unit that makes up an image and contains information such as color and brightness.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the processing device 92 calculates the flame velocity based on a first image G1 acquired at a first timing M1 by an imaging device 91 that acquires an image of the flame inside the incinerator 10, and a second image G2 acquired by the imaging device 91 at a second timing M2 that is different from the first timing M1. The second timing M2 is later than the first timing M1. In this embodiment, the first image G1 and the second image G2 are two consecutive frames, but they may be two non-contiguous frames.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame's travel distance D based on the first image G1 and the second image G2, and calculates the flame's velocity V based on the time difference T between the first timing M1 and the second timing M2 and the travel distance D. For example, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame's velocity V by dividing the travel distance D by the time difference T between the first timing M1 and the second timing M2. However, the processing unit 92 may also calculate the flame's velocity V using other calculation methods (e.g., differentiation) based on the time difference T and the travel distance D.

[0055] For example, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V based on a first unit image R1, which is a part of the first image G1, and a second unit image R2, which is a part of the second image G2 and has the same size as the first unit image R1. The processing unit 92 obtains a first luminance value distribution of the first unit image R1, which is a predetermined range within the first image G1, and identifies the range within the second image G2 that has the luminance value distribution with the highest correlation to the first luminance value distribution as the second unit image R2. For example, when identifying the second unit image R2, the processing unit 92 identifies the range within the second image G2 that has the luminance value distribution with the highest correlation to the first unit image R1, starting from the same position as the first unit image R1.

[0056] The processing unit 92 defines the position and range of the first unit image R1 within the first image G1 based on the first center coordinate C1, the number of vertical pixels, and the number of horizontal pixels of the first unit image R1. The first center coordinate C1 corresponds to the coordinate of the central pixel of the first unit image R1. Therefore, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the first unit image R1 is preferably odd, but may also be even. If the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the first unit image R1 is even, the coordinate of a pixel near the center of the first unit image R1 is defined as the first center coordinate C1.

[0057] The processing unit 92 defines the position and range of the second unit image R2 within the second image G2 based on the second center coordinate C2, the number of vertical pixels, and the number of horizontal pixels of the second unit image R2. The second center coordinate C2 corresponds to the coordinate of the central pixel of the second unit image R2. Therefore, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the second unit image R2 is preferably odd, but may also be even. If the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the second unit image R2 is even, the coordinate of a pixel near the center of the second unit image R2 is defined as the second center coordinate C2.

[0058] The processing unit 92 temporarily stores the first unit image R1 and the second unit image R2 in the storage device 97. Specifically, the processing unit 92 temporarily stores the first center coordinate C1 and information for each pixel of the first unit image R1 in the storage device 97. Similarly, the processing unit 92 temporarily stores the second center coordinate C2 and information for each pixel of the second unit image R2 in the storage device 97.

[0059] Furthermore, the processing unit 92 calculates the distance between the first center coordinate C1 of the first unit image R1 in the first image G1 and the second center coordinate C2 of the second unit image R2 in the second image G2 as the flame movement distance D. The first center coordinate C1 is the horizontal and vertical coordinate within the first image G1 and can be expressed as "[X1, Y1]". Similarly, the second center coordinate C2 is the horizontal (X direction) and vertical (Y direction) coordinate within the second image G2 and can be expressed as "[X2, Y2]". The origin of the coordinates is defined, for example, at the upper left edge of the first image G1. In addition, the length represented by one pixel can be calculated, for example, by placing a reference object for length (for example, a long piece of paper) near the burnout point while the incinerator 10 is shut down, and photographing the long piece of paper with the imaging device 91. Specifically, the length represented by one pixel can be calculated by dividing the length of the photographed long piece of paper by its number of pixels. Therefore, the processing unit 92 uses the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the travel distance D based on the first center coordinate C1, the second center coordinate C2, and the length represented by one pixel. The processing unit 92 temporarily stores the calculated travel distance D in the storage device 97.

[0060] Furthermore, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V by dividing the travel distance D by the time difference T between the first timing M1 and the second timing M2. The processing unit 92 stores the calculated flame velocity V in the storage device 97. The processing unit 92 stores the time difference T in the storage device 97. If the frame rate is 120 fps and the first image G1 and the second image G2 are two consecutive frames, the time difference T is, for example, 0.5 [sec]. The time difference T may be a fixed value or it may be user-configurable.

[0061] The flame velocity V calculated as described above is a scalar quantity, but the flame velocity V may also be a vector quantity originating from the first central coordinate C1. In that case, the processing unit 92 calculates the slope θ[°] of the arrow from the first central coordinate C1 to the second central coordinate C2 with respect to the X direction using trigonometric functions, based on the first central coordinate C1 and the second central coordinate C2. The processing unit 92 stores the slope θ in the storage device 97.

[0062] As described above, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V using the image correlation method based on the first image G1 and the second image G2. However, the processing unit 92 may also calculate the flame velocity V using a method other than the image correlation method.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V at multiple locations within the first image G1. Specifically, the processing unit 92 defines a first unit image R1 at multiple locations within the first image G1, and identifies the same number of second unit images R2 corresponding to the first unit image R1 using the same brightness value distribution as the number of locations. At multiple locations, the processing unit 92 calculates the distance between the first center coordinate C1 and the second center coordinate C2 as the travel distance D. The processing unit 92 stores the travel distance D calculated at multiple locations in the storage device 97. In the example shown in Figure 5, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V at a total of 44 locations, with 4 columns in the X direction and 11 rows in the Y direction.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the processing unit 92 obtains the flame velocity V at multiple locations based on the calculated travel distance D and time difference T at multiple locations. That is, the processing unit 92 obtains a two-dimensional distribution of the flame velocity V at multiple locations. For example, the processing unit 92 obtains the flame velocity V at multiple locations by dividing the calculated travel distance D at multiple locations by the time difference T. However, the processing unit 92 may calculate the flame velocity V using other calculation methods (e.g., differentiation) based on the calculated travel distance D and time T at multiple locations. Furthermore, the flame velocity V may be expressed numerically as a scalar quantity, or as a vector quantity as shown in Figure 6.

[0065] Furthermore, once the processing unit 92 has completed calculating the flame velocity V based on the first image G1 and the second image G2, it acquires the first image G1 and the second image G2 again and repeats the process up to the completion of the calculation of the flame velocity V at a predetermined calculation cycle. The predetermined calculation cycle may be a fixed value or it may be set by the user.

[0066] Possible settings include, for example, the length of one pixel [m], the time difference T [sec] between the first timing M1 and the second timing M2, the number of locations for calculating the flame velocity V (number of columns in the X direction × number of rows in the Y direction), the size of the first unit image R1 (number of pixels vertically and horizontally), and the calculation period for the flame velocity V [sec]. If the user can freely change these settings, the user inputs at least one of the following via the user interface 94: the length of one pixel [m], the time difference T, the number of locations for calculating the flame velocity V (number of columns × number of rows), the size of the first unit image R1 (number of pixels vertically and horizontally), and the calculation period. The processing unit 92 stores the input information as settings in the storage device 97.

[0067] As described above, the processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V based on the first image G1 and the second image G2 without using flame images acquired by other imaging devices. The processing unit 92 calculates the flame velocity V based on the first image G1 and the second image G2 without generating a three-dimensional image using the first image G1 and the second image G2. Therefore, with the flame velocity calculation process of this embodiment, the flame velocity V can be calculated using a single imaging device, and the load on the processing unit 92 is relatively low.

[0068] The program stored in the memory device 97 of the processing unit 92 includes instructions to cause the processor of the arithmetic unit 96 of the processing unit 92 to execute the flame flow velocity measurement method described below.

[0069] The method for measuring flame velocity using the flame velocity measuring device 90 will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, in step S1, the user inputs a setting value via the user interface 94 of the processing unit 92. The input setting value is stored in the storage device 97 of the processing unit 92. The input of the setting value may occur after step S2, or the setting value may be changed at another time.

[0071] After the setting values ​​are entered, in step S2, the imaging device 91 starts acquiring images, and the processing device 92 starts capturing the images acquired by the imaging device 91. For example, the imaging device 91 acquires multiple images continuously at a predetermined frame rate. The multiple images acquired continuously are temporarily stored in the storage device 97 of the processing device 92.

[0072] In step S3, the first image G1 acquired by the imaging device 91 at the first timing M1 and the second image G2 acquired by the imaging device 91 at the second timing M2 are acquired by the processing device 92. Specifically, the first image G1 acquired at the first timing M1 and the second image G2 acquired at the second timing M2 are temporarily stored in the storage device 97 of the processing device 92. In the initial processing, the images of the two most recent frames after the start of imaging are stored in the storage device 97 as the first image G1 and the second image G2. In subsequent repeated processing, the images of the two most recent frames, the first image G1 and the second image G2, are stored in the storage device 97 at predetermined calculation cycles.

[0073] In the flame velocity calculation step of step S4, the flame velocity V is calculated based on the first image G1 and the second image G2. That is, the flame velocity measurement method includes a flame velocity calculation step S4 in which the processing device 92 calculates the flame velocity V based on the first image G1 acquired at a first timing M1 by the imaging device 91 which acquires an image of the flame inside the incinerator 10, and the second image G2 acquired by the imaging device 91 at a second timing M2 which is different from the first timing M1.

[0074] Figure 8 shows a flowchart of the flame velocity calculation step S4. As shown in Figure 8, in step S41, the first unit image R1 is determined by the processing unit 92 within the first image G1. Specifically, based on data indicating predetermined locations in the set values, the processing unit 92 determines the first unit image R1 centered on one of the predetermined locations within the first image G1.

[0075] In step S42, the first luminance value distribution of the first unit image R1 is acquired by the processing unit 92. For example, the first luminance value distribution is acquired by the processing unit 92 by temporarily storing the luminance value information of each pixel of the first unit image R1 in the storage device 97.

[0076] In step S43, the processing unit 92 identifies the range having the brightness value distribution with the first brightness value distribution of the first unit image R1 as the second unit image R2 from the second image G2. For example, within the second image G2, the processing unit 92 identifies the range having the brightness value distribution with the highest correlation around the same position as the first unit image R1 as the second unit image R2. The second center coordinates C2 of the second unit image R2 are temporarily stored in the storage device 97.

[0077] In step S44, the processing unit 92 calculates the distance between the first center coordinate C1 of the first unit image R1 in the first image G1 and the second center coordinate C2 of the second unit image R2 in the second image G2 as the movement distance D. The calculated movement distance D is temporarily stored in the storage device 97.

[0078] In step S45, the flame velocity V is calculated by the processing unit 92 by dividing the travel distance D by the time difference T between the first timing M1 and the second timing M2. At this time, the flame velocity V is calculated as a vector quantity, including the slope θ, as described above. The calculated flame velocity V is associated with the first center coordinate C1 and temporarily stored in the memory device 97. Thus, the flame velocity calculation step S4 is completed.

[0079] As shown in Figure 7, the flame flow velocity calculation step S4 (steps S41 to S45 in Figure 8) is repeated at a predetermined location within the first image G1.

[0080] In step S5, the processing unit 92 checks whether the setting value has been changed. If the setting value has been changed, the process returns to the loop of steps S3 and S4. If the setting value has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0081] In step S6, the processing unit 92 checks whether or not there is an instruction to terminate the flame velocity measurement method. If there is no termination instruction, steps S3 to S6 are repeated at a predetermined cycle. On the other hand, if there is a termination instruction, the processing of the flame velocity measurement method is terminated. The termination instruction is input by the user, for example, via the user interface 94.

[0082] As described above, in the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity V is calculated by the processing device 92 based on the first image G1 and the second image G2 without using images acquired by other imaging devices 91. In the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity V is calculated by the processing device 92 based on the first image G1 and the second image G2 without generating a three-dimensional image using the first image G1 and the second image G2.

[0083] The calculated flame velocity V can be used, for example, in the automatic combustion control of the incinerator 10. Specifically, if the flame velocity V is slow, the amount of air supplied from the first air supply device 20 to the combustion stoker 13B can be increased, or if the flame velocity V is fast, the amount of air supplied from the first air supply device 20 to the combustion stoker 13B can be decreased. Also, if the amount of air in the width direction of the combustion device 13 (for example, the amount of air in the right half and the amount of air in the left half) can be adjusted individually, if the flame velocity V on the right side is slow, the amount of air in the right half can be increased, or if the flame velocity V on the right side is fast, the amount of air in the right half can be decreased. The same applies to the left half.

[0084] The processing device 92 may, for example, be built into a distributed control system for controlling and monitoring the waste treatment facility 1, or it may be a separate device electrically connected to the distributed control system.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in the embodiment described above, the processing device 92 calculates the flame velocity V at multiple locations for the first image G1, but the processing device 92 may calculate the flame velocity V at only one location for the first image G1.

[0086] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, when calculating the flame velocity V at multiple locations, the multiple first unit images R1 do not overlap with each other, but the multiple first unit images R1 may partially overlap with each other.

[0087] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the processing device 92 calculates the flame velocity V using only the flame images acquired by the imaging device 91 (for example, the first image G1 and the second image G2). However, the processing device 92 may also calculate the flame velocity V using data obtained from sensors or the like in addition to the flame images acquired by the imaging device 91.

[0088] In this application, “equipped with” and its derivatives are non-restrictive terms that describe the existence of a component and do not exclude the existence of other components not described. This also applies to “having,” “including,” and their derivatives.

[0089] In this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are merely terms used to identify the components and do not have any other meaning (e.g., a specific order). For example, the existence of a "first element" does not implicitly mean that a "second element" exists, nor does the existence of a "second element" implicitly mean that a "first element" exists.

[0090] Furthermore, the expression "at least one of A and B" in this disclosure includes, for example, (1) A only, (2) B only, and (3) both A and B. In this disclosure, the expression "at least one of A and B" is not construed as "at least one of A and at least one of B".

[0091] Based on the above disclosure, it is clear that various changes and modifications to the present invention are possible. Therefore, the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from the specific disclosures of this application, without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1: Waste disposal facilities 10: Incinerator 11: Input hopper 12: Equipment 13: Combustion device 13A: Drying Stoker 13B: Combustion stoker 13C: Post-combustion stoker 14: Furnace body 14A: Primary combustion chamber 14B: Secondary combustion chamber 14C: Ash outlet 20: First air supply device 21: Blower 22: Dump 23: Dump 30: Second air supply device 90: Flame flow velocity measuring device 91: Imaging device 92: Processing unit 93: Image processing device 94: User Interface 95: Display 96: Arithmetic device 97: Storage device C1: 1st center coordinate C2: 2nd center coordinate D: Travel distance G1: First image G2: Second image M1: First timing M2: Second timing R1: First unit image R2: Second unit image S4: Flame flow velocity calculation step T: Time difference V :Flow velocity θ: slope

Claims

1. The system includes a processing device that calculates the flow velocity of the flame based on a first image acquired at a first timing by an imaging device that acquires an image of the flame inside the incinerator, and a second image acquired by the imaging device at a second timing different from the first timing. Flame flow velocity measuring device.

2. The processing device calculates the flow velocity of the flame based on the first image and the second image without using the flame image acquired by another imaging device. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The processing apparatus calculates the flame velocity based on the first image and the second image without generating a three-dimensional image using the first image and the second image. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 1.

4. The processing device calculates the distance traveled by the flame based on the first image and the second image, and calculates the flow velocity of the flame based on the time difference between the first timing and the second timing and the distance traveled. A flame velocity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The processing device calculates the flame velocity based on a first unit image which is a part of the first image and a second unit image which is a part of the second image and has the same size as the first unit image. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 4.

6. The processing device acquires a first luminance value distribution of the first unit image, which is a predetermined range within the first image, identifies the range within the second image that has the luminance value distribution with the first luminance value distribution as the second unit image, and calculates the distance between the first center coordinate of the first unit image in the first image and the second center coordinate of the second unit image in the second image as the displacement distance. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 5.

7. The processing device defines the first unit image at multiple locations within the first image, and identifies the second unit image corresponding to the first unit image using the same number of luminance value distributions as the number of locations. The processing device calculates the distance between the first center coordinate and the second center coordinate at the plurality of locations as the travel distance. The processing apparatus obtains the flame velocity at the plurality of locations based on the travel distance and time difference calculated at the plurality of locations. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 6.

8. The processing apparatus calculates the flame velocity using an image correlation method based on the first image and the second image. A flame velocity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The first and second images are two consecutive frames. A flame velocity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The imaging device further comprises an imaging device for acquiring an image of the flame inside the incinerator. A flame velocity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The frame rate of the imaging device is 120 fps or higher. The flame velocity measuring device according to claim 10.

12. The system includes a flame velocity calculation step in which a processing device calculates the flame velocity based on a first image acquired at a first timing by an imaging device that acquires images of flames inside an incinerator, and a second image acquired by the imaging device at a second timing different from the first timing. Method for measuring flame flow velocity.

13. In the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity is calculated by the processing device based on the first image and the second image, without using images acquired by another imaging device. The flame velocity measurement method according to claim 12.

14. In the flame velocity calculation step, the flame velocity is calculated by the processing device based on the first and second images, without generating a three-dimensional image using the first and second images. The flame velocity measurement method according to claim 12.

15. A program comprising an instruction to cause the processor of the processing device to execute the flame velocity measurement method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

Images