Water absorption test method

Abstract

To solve problems that prior arts have, namely, to provide an ignition loss estimation device capable of grasping ignition loss of coal ash more speedily and easily than the prior arts and an ignition loss estimation method using the same.SOLUTION: An ignition loss estimation device is configured to estimate ignition loss of object coal ash based upon intensity by wavelengths which is spectral intensity by wavelengths acquired by photographing means, and comprises estimation expression storage means and ignition loss calculation means. The ignition loss calculation means serves to find the ignition loss of the object coal ash from specific wavelength intensity with an ignition loss estimation expression. The ignition loss estimation expression is set by extracting the specific wavelength intensity from intensity by wavelengths obtained from sample coal ash, and executing multiple regression analysis based upon the specific wavelength intensity as an explanatory variable and the ignition loss as an objective variable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to technology relating to admixtures to be mixed into concrete, and more specifically to an ignition loss estimation device capable of evaluating the ignition loss of coal ash used as an admixture, and an ignition loss estimation method using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Thanks to various initiatives led by the national and local governments, Japan's waste generation has been declining in recent years. Meanwhile, the volume of incineration ash, including coal ash, garbage incineration ash, paper sludge incineration ash, and sludge incineration ash, as well as finely divided slag, is said to be increasing, albeit slowly. Coal ash, primarily generated by coal combustion at coal-fired power plants, is broadly divided into fly ash, which is collected suspended in the high-temperature combustion gas, and clinker ash, which is the pulverized porous ash mass at the bottom of the boiler. Coal-fired power generation is carried out by several electric utilities and general industries, using approximately 100 million tons of coal annually, of which approximately 10% is discharged as coal ash. This means that more than 10 million tons of coal ash alone is generated annually. Considering the remaining capacity of final disposal sites, the costs borne by incineration ash generators, and environmental concerns, the disposal of incineration ash and finely divided slag is an extremely serious issue.

[0003] On the other hand, in light of the situation where a large amount of used goods and by-products are generated due to the large-scale use of resources, and a considerable portion of what could be recycled resources or recycled parts is discarded without being used, the Law Concerning the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Recycling Law") was enacted in 2000, amending the Law Concerning the Promotion of Utilization of Recycled Resources. This Recycling Law specifically defines by-products related to energy supply or construction work, the whole or part of which should be promoted as recycled resources, as "designated by-products," and coal ash is included in this category.

[0004] As coal ash is designated as a designated by-product under the Recycling Law, much of the discharged coal ash is effectively utilized as a cement raw material or construction material. In particular, the applicant of the present application has developed the "Superfluid Method" for producing hardened bodies primarily made from coal ash, and "Ashcrete (registered trademark)" realized through this method, making significant contributions to the reuse of coal ash. For example, ashcrete blocks are manufactured and used as embankment construction materials, as construction materials for artificial undersea mountains, and as seaweed beds in fishing grounds. Furthermore, crushed ashcrete blocks are used as embankment construction materials, and hardened bodies are constructed using the Superfluid Method for embankment construction and road surfaces (i.e., large-scale solidified blocks are formed directly on-site). The Superfluid Method is utilized in a wide variety of situations, thereby reusing coal ash.

[0005] Coal ash is a material specified by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), and fly ash, which is used as an admixture for concrete, undergoes various quality tests before it can be used. For example, loss on ignition, measured as the amount of unburned carbon, is one of the physical properties specified by the JIS. The loss on ignition of fly ash has a significant effect on the air content of concrete, making it difficult to control the amount of air entraining agents (AE agents). Fly ash is porous, and while the AE agent is adsorbed into its pores, it does not function as an air entrainer. Once all the pores in the fly ash are filled, air entrainment suddenly begins. Therefore, determining the appropriate amount of AE agent to be added to a concrete mix is ​​extremely difficult.

[0006] As such, the loss on ignition of fly ash used as a mineral admixture is an important factor, and various technologies have been proposed to use fly ash used as a mineral admixture while limiting the value of the loss on ignition, including Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-52073 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Fly ash is generated in large quantities every day from coal-fired power plants and other sources, and the properties of coal ash, such as fly ash, vary greatly depending on the type of coal. This means that large amounts of fly ash with different properties are generated every day (and sometimes even depending on the time of day). Measurement of the loss on ignition of fly ash is typically carried out at specialized testing laboratories, and it takes several days from sample collection until the measurement results are obtained. Naturally, the use of the fly ash is withheld until the test results are obtained, so the large amounts of fly ash shipped from coal-fired power plants and other sources are pooled by users for a certain period of time, necessitating the installation of silos of considerable size.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the problems associated with the prior art, that is, to provide an ignition loss estimation device and an ignition loss estimation method using the same that can determine the ignition loss of coal ash more quickly and easily than the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention was made based on an unprecedented concept, focusing on the use of images of coal ash taken with a spectral camera to estimate its loss on ignition based on the spectral intensity at each wavelength.

[0011] The loss-on-ignition estimation device of the present invention estimates the loss-on-ignition of target coal ash based on wavelength-specific intensities, which are spectral intensities for each wavelength, acquired by an imaging means. The device includes an estimation formula storage means and a loss-on-ignition calculation means. The estimation formula storage means stores a loss-on-ignition estimation formula, and the loss-on-ignition calculation means calculates the loss-on-ignition of the target coal ash using the "loss-on-ignition estimation formula" read from the estimation formula storage means and the "wavelength-specific intensity" of the target coal ash acquired by the imaging means. The loss-on-ignition estimation formula is set by extracting specific wavelength intensities for two or more predetermined wavelengths from the wavelength-specific intensities acquired by an imaging means of a sample coal ash whose loss-on-ignition is known, and then performing a multiple regression analysis with the specific wavelength intensities of the sample coal ash as explanatory variables and the loss-on-ignition of the sample coal ash as a target variable. The loss-on-ignition calculation means calculates the loss-on-ignition using the specific wavelength intensities from the wavelength-specific intensities.

[0012] The loss on ignition estimation device of the present invention may further include an estimation equation setting means for setting an estimation equation for loss on ignition. In this case, the estimation equation setting means is a means having a specific wavelength intensity extraction means and an analysis means. The specific wavelength intensity extraction means extracts specific wavelength intensities from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing the sample coal ash with an imaging means, and sets the loss on ignition estimation equation by performing multiple regression analysis using the specific wavelength-specific intensities of the sample coal ash as explanatory variables and the loss on ignition of the sample coal ash as a response variable.

[0013] The ignition loss estimation device of the present invention may further include a wavelength-specific intensity input means through which an operator inputs the wavelength-specific intensities of the target coal ash acquired by the imaging means. In this case, the ignition loss calculation means extracts a specific wavelength intensity from the wavelength-specific intensities input by the wavelength-specific intensity input means, and then calculates the ignition loss of the target coal ash using the ignition loss estimation formula and the specific wavelength intensity.

[0014] The loss-on-ignition estimation formula setting program of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute a function for setting an ignition loss estimation formula that can obtain the ignition loss of target coal ash, and includes functions for causing the computer to execute a specific wavelength intensity extraction process and an estimation formula setting process. In the specific wavelength intensity extraction process, specific wavelength intensities are extracted from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing the sample coal ash with an imaging means, and in the estimation formula setting process, the loss-on-ignition estimation formula is set by performing a multiple regression analysis in which the specific wavelength-specific intensities of the sample coal ash are used as explanatory variables and the loss-on-ignition of the sample coal ash as a response variable. The ignition loss of the target coal ash can be obtained using this loss-on-ignition estimation formula and the specific wavelength-specific intensity of the target coal ash.

[0015] The ignition loss estimation formula setting program of the present invention may further include a function for causing a computer to execute a correlation value calculation process for determining the degree of correlation of the ignition loss estimation formula based on the actual measured value of the ignition loss of the sample coal ash and the estimated value of the ignition loss obtained using the ignition loss estimation formula. In this case, the specific wavelength intensity extraction process classifies the sample coal ash into a first group and a second group, and then extracts the specific wavelength intensity for the first group and the specific wavelength intensity for the second group. Furthermore, the estimation formula setting process sets the ignition loss estimation formula for the first group and the ignition loss estimation formula for the second group. The correlation value calculation process determines the degree of correlation for the first group and the second group. Furthermore, the estimation formula setting process determines the ignition loss estimation formula based on the degree of correlation for the first group and the degree of correlation for the second group.

[0016] The loss on ignition estimation method of the present invention is a method for estimating the loss on ignition of target coal ash based on wavelength-specific intensities acquired by an imaging means, and includes an estimation formula setting step, an imaging step, an extraction step, and an ignition loss calculation step. In the estimation formula setting step, an ignition loss estimation formula is set, and in the imaging step, the target coal ash is photographed by the imaging means to acquire wavelength-specific intensities. In the extraction step, a specific wavelength intensity is extracted from the wavelength-specific intensities of the target coal ash acquired in the wavelength-specific intensity acquisition step, and in the ignition loss calculation step, the ignition loss of the target coal ash is calculated using the loss on ignition estimation formula set in the estimation formula setting step and the specific wavelength intensity of the target coal ash extracted in the extraction step. In the estimation formula setting step, the specific wavelength intensity is extracted from the wavelength-specific intensities acquired by photographing the sample coal ash with the imaging means, and then a multiple regression analysis is performed in which the specific wavelength intensity of the sample coal ash is used as an explanatory variable and the loss on ignition of the sample coal ash is used as a target variable to set the loss on ignition estimation formula. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The ignition loss estimation device, ignition loss estimation formula setting program, and ignition loss estimation method of the present invention have the following effects. (1) The ignition loss of coal ash can be estimated by simply photographing the coal ash with a spectral camera, and unlike specialized testing laboratories, the measurement location is not limited. Furthermore, since no special knowledge or skills are required, anyone can perform the test. (2) The ignition loss value of coal ash, which has a large variation in quality, can be determined in a short time (about 10 minutes). (3) Since the ignition loss of coal ash can be determined quickly and easily, the installation of a considerable-scale silo as mentioned above can be avoided and the AE agent can be appropriately controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a moisture state estimation device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the flow of main steps for setting an ignition loss estimation formula. [Figure 3](a) is a mathematical formula diagram showing an ignition loss estimation formula established based on one sample coal ash, (b) is a mathematical formula diagram showing an ignition loss estimation formula established based on two or more sample coal ash, and (c) is a determinant diagram showing an ignition loss estimation formula established based on two or more sample coal ash. [Figure 4] This is a flow chart showing the main steps for classifying sample coal ash into two groups and then setting up an equation for estimating ignition loss. [Figure 5] 1 is a flow chart showing the main steps of the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the degree of correlation between the actually measured ignition loss and the estimated ignition loss of a sample coal ash. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An example of an ignition loss estimation device, an ignition loss estimation formula setting program, and an ignition loss estimation method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] 1.Overview One of the technical features of the present invention is to photograph target coal ash (hereinafter referred to as "target coal ash") using an imaging device (such as a spectral camera) capable of acquiring spectral intensities by wavelength (hereinafter referred to as "wavelength intensities"), and to estimate the ignition loss of the target coal ash using the resulting wavelength intensities. More specifically, the ignition loss of the target coal ash is calculated by inputting the wavelength intensities obtained by imaging into a preset estimation formula (hereinafter referred to as "ignition loss estimation formula").

[0021] 2. Loss on Ignition Estimation Device and Ignition Loss Estimation Formula Setting Program The loss on ignition estimation device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The loss on ignition estimation method of the present invention is a method for estimating the loss on ignition of target coal ash using the loss on ignition estimation device and the loss on ignition estimation equation setting program of the present invention. Therefore, the loss on ignition estimation device and the loss on ignition estimation equation setting program of the present invention will be described first, and then the loss on ignition estimation method of the present invention will be described.

[0022] 1 is a block diagram showing the main components of a loss on ignition estimation device 100 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the loss on ignition estimation device 100 of the present invention is configured to include ignition loss calculation means 101 and estimation formula storage means 104, and can also be configured to include estimation formula setting means 102, wavelength-specific intensity input means 103, etc.

[0023] Of the main components constituting the loss on ignition estimation device 100, the loss on ignition calculation means 101, the estimation formula setting means 102, and the wavelength-specific intensity input means 103 can be manufactured as dedicated components, or a general-purpose computer device can be used. This computer device is equipped with a processor such as a CPU, memories such as ROM and RAM, input means such as a mouse and keyboard, and a display, and can be configured as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC such as an iPad (registered trademark), a mobile terminal including a smartphone, or the like.

[0024] The estimation formula storage means 104 can be a storage device of a general-purpose computer or can be built in a database server. When built in a database server, it can be placed on a local network (LAN: Local Area Network) or can be a cloud server that stores data via the Internet.

[0025] As described above, one of the features of the loss on ignition estimation device 100 is that it estimates the loss on ignition of target coal ash using a pre-set "loss on ignition estimation formula." This loss on ignition estimation formula is a function (particularly, a multivariate linear function) that expresses the relationship between wavelength-specific intensities (hereinafter referred to as "specific wavelength intensities") associated with two or more predetermined wavelengths (hereinafter referred to as "specific wavelengths") and the loss on ignition of the coal ash. In other words, it is a mathematical formula that obtains the loss on ignition of the coal ash when two or more specific wavelength intensities are input. Furthermore, as will be described later, the loss on ignition estimation formula is set by performing an analysis using the (known) loss on ignition of coal ash as a test specimen (hereinafter referred to as "sample coal ash") and its specific wavelengths. Therefore, the wavelength intensity obtained by photographing sample coal ash will be referred to as the "sample wavelength intensity," the specific wavelength intensity extracted from this sample wavelength intensity will be referred to as the "sample-specific wavelength intensity," the wavelength intensity obtained by photographing target coal ash will be referred to as the "target wavelength intensity," and the specific wavelength intensity extracted from this target wavelength intensity will be referred to as the "target-specific wavelength intensity."Furthermore, the ignition loss of coal ash obtained by actual measurement will be referred to as the "measured loss on ignition," and the ignition loss of coal ash estimated from the ignition loss estimation formula will be referred to as the "estimated loss on ignition."

[0026] Below, each of the main elements constituting the ignition loss estimation device 100 will be described in detail.

[0027] (Estimation formula setting means) The estimation formula setting means 102 is a means for setting the "loss on ignition estimation formula." The procedure for setting this ignition loss estimation formula will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the main procedures for setting the ignition loss estimation formula, with the central column showing the processes to be performed, the left column showing the input information required for that process, and the right column showing the output information resulting from that process. Note that the processes shown with dashed lines (Steps 210 and 250 in FIG. 2) are steps in which a person photographs coal ash, and are not processes that directly use the ignition loss estimation device 100.

[0028] The ignition loss estimation formula is established through testing. First, two or more types of sample coal ash (preferably, more than the number of specific wavelength intensities) are prepared, and each sample coal ash is photographed using a spectral camera or other imaging device to obtain sample wavelength intensities (Step 210 in Figure 2). Once the sample wavelength intensities are obtained, sample specific wavelength intensities are extracted from them (Step 220 in Figure 2). As previously mentioned, specific wavelength intensities, such as sample specific wavelength intensities and target specific wavelength intensities, are wavelength-specific intensities associated with two or more predetermined specific wavelengths. These intensities can be determined by setting a wavelength range, such as 100–500 nm or 500–1,000 nm, and wavelength intervals, such as 10 nm or 50 nm. For example, if the wavelength range is 500–800 nm and the wavelength intervals are 10 nm, 31 specific wavelengths (i.e., specific wavelength intensities) can be determined: 500 nm, 510 nm, 520 nm, and 800 nm.

[0029] Once two or more sample-specific wavelength intensities are extracted for each sample coal ash, the estimation formula setting means 102 sets the loss-on-ignition estimation formula (Step 230 in FIG. 2). More specifically, by performing a multiple regression analysis using the two or more sample-specific wavelength intensities for the sample coal ash as explanatory variables and the measured loss-on-ignition for the sample coal ash as the objective variable, a loss-on-ignition estimation formula is set using two or more specific wavelength intensities (k+1 in Equation (1)) as variables, as shown in Equation (1) in FIG. 3(a). Setting the loss-on-ignition estimation formula requires determining the coefficient α shown in Equation (1). To determine this coefficient α, for example, a provisional loss-on-ignition estimation formula is set for each sample coal ash, as shown in Equation (2) in FIG. 3(b), and the determinant shown in FIG. 3(c) is solved by the least squares method or the like to determine each coefficient α, i.e., the loss-on-ignition estimation formula can be set. Therefore, it is desirable to prepare a number of sample coal ash samples equal to or greater than the number of specific wavelength intensities (k+1 in this case). The ignition loss estimation formula set here is stored in estimation formula storage means 104 (FIG. 1).

[0030] As mentioned above, the ignition loss estimation formula can be set using two or more types of sample coal ash as one unit, or it can be set after classifying two or more types of sample coal ash into two or more units. Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the main steps for setting up an ignition loss estimation formula after classifying sample coal ash into two groups; as with Figure 2, the central column shows the processing to be performed, the left column shows the input information required for that processing, and the right column shows the output information resulting from that processing.

[0031] In the case of classifying sample coal ashes into two groups, two or more types of prepared sample coal ashes are photographed and their respective sample wavelength intensities are obtained (Step 210 in FIG. 4). These sample coal ashes (or sample wavelength intensities related to the sample coal ashes) are then classified into two groups (referred to here as "first group" and "second group" for convenience) (Step 221 in FIG. 4). Next, a sample-specific wavelength intensity (hereinafter referred to as "first sample-specific wavelength intensity") is extracted from the sample wavelength intensities related to the sample coal ashes in the first group (Step 222 in FIG. 4), and a sample-specific wavelength intensity (hereinafter referred to as "second sample-specific wavelength intensity") is extracted from the sample wavelength intensities related to the sample coal ashes in the second group (Step 223 in FIG. 4).

[0032] Once the first-sample-specific wavelength intensity is extracted, a formula for estimating the loss on ignition of the first group (hereinafter referred to as the "first loss on ignition estimation formula") is set based on this first-sample-specific wavelength intensity and the measured loss on ignition of the first group (Step 231 in FIG. 4). Once the first loss on ignition estimation formula is set, an estimated loss on ignition of the first group is obtained, and a value representing the degree of correlation (hereinafter referred to as the "correlation value"), such as a correlation coefficient, is calculated from the estimated loss on ignition and the measured loss on ignition of the first group (Step 241 in FIG. 4). At this time, it is preferable to input the second-sample-specific wavelength intensity into the first loss on ignition estimation formula to obtain the estimated loss on ignition of the first group, and then calculate the correlation value of the first group (hereinafter referred to as the "first correlation value").

[0033] As with the first group, once the second-sample-specific wavelength intensity is extracted, a loss-on-ignition estimation formula for the second group (hereinafter referred to as the "second loss-on-ignition estimation formula") is set based on this second-sample-specific wavelength intensity and the measured loss-on-ignition of the second group (Step 232 in FIG. 4). Once the second loss-on-ignition estimation formula is set, the estimated loss-on-ignition of the second group is determined, and a correlation value such as a correlation coefficient (hereinafter referred to as the "second correlation value") is calculated from the estimated loss-on-ignition and the measured loss-on-ignition of the second group (Step 242 in FIG. 4). At this time, it is preferable to input the first-sample-specific wavelength intensity into the second loss-on-ignition estimation formula to determine the estimated loss-on-ignition of the second group, and then calculate the second correlation value.

[0034] Once the first correlation value and the second correlation value are obtained, these first correlation value and second correlation value are compared, and the ignition loss estimation formula that shows the largest correlation value (the first heat loss estimation formula or the second heat loss estimation formula) is determined to be the ignition loss estimation formula to be adopted (Step 233 in FIG. 4). Note that up to this point, an example has been described in which the sample coal ash is classified into the first and second groups, but the present invention is not limited to this; the sample coal ash can also be classified into three or more groups and then the ignition loss estimation can be set.

[0035] (Means for inputting intensity by wavelength) The wavelength-specific intensity input means 103 is a means used by an operator to input wavelength-specific intensities (sample wavelength intensity, target wavelength intensity) and measured ignition loss, and as this wavelength-specific intensity input means 103, for example, a pointing device (mouse, touch panel, pen tablet, touchpad, trackpad, trackball, etc.), a keyboard, etc. can be used.

[0036] (Ignition loss calculation method) The loss on ignition calculation means 101 is a means for calculating an estimated loss on ignition of target coal ash based on the target specific wavelength intensity and the loss on ignition estimation formula. More specifically, the target coal ash is first photographed using an imaging means such as a spectral camera to obtain the target wavelength intensity (Step 250 in FIG. 2). Then, when an operator inputs the target wavelength intensity using the wavelength-specific intensity input means 103, the loss on ignition calculation means 101 reads the loss on ignition estimation formula from the estimation formula storage means 104, extracts the target specific wavelength intensity from the target wavelength intensity, and inputs this target specific wavelength intensity into the loss on ignition estimation formula to calculate the estimated loss on ignition of the target coal ash (Step 260 in FIG. 2).

[0037] (Ignition loss estimation formula setting program) The loss-on-ignition estimation formula setting program of the present invention causes a computer to execute a function for setting an ignition loss estimation formula. The following describes the procedure for setting an ignition loss estimation formula using the loss-on-ignition estimation formula setting program of the present invention. When an operator inputs sample wavelength intensities using the wavelength-specific intensity input means 103, sample-specific wavelength intensities are extracted from the sample wavelength intensities (specific wavelength intensity extraction process). Once the sample-specific wavelength intensities are extracted, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a multiple regression analysis is performed in which the sample-specific wavelength intensities are used as explanatory variables and the measured loss-on-ignition of the sample coal ash is used as a response variable, thereby setting a loss-on-ignition estimation formula (estimation formula setting process).

[0038] As described above, the loss on ignition estimation formula can be set after classifying the sample coal ash into two groups. In this case, the computer executes the following processes: classifying the sample wavelength intensities input by the operator into a first group and a second group; extracting a first sample-specific wavelength intensity from the sample wavelength intensities for the sample coal ash in the first group; and extracting a second sample-specific wavelength intensity from the sample wavelength intensities for the sample coal ash in the second group. Then, the first loss on ignition estimation formula is set based on the first sample-specific wavelength intensity and the measured loss on ignition of the first group, and a first correlation value is calculated by inputting the second sample-specific wavelength intensity into the first loss on ignition estimation formula (correlation value calculation process). Similarly, the second loss on ignition estimation formula is set based on the second sample-specific wavelength intensity and the measured loss on ignition of the second group, and a second correlation value is calculated by inputting the first sample-specific wavelength intensity into the second loss on ignition estimation formula (correlation value calculation process). Once the first correlation value and the second correlation value are obtained, the first correlation value and the second correlation value are compared, and the ignition loss estimation formula (the first heat loss estimation formula or the second heat loss estimation formula) that shows the largest correlation value is determined as the ignition loss estimation formula to be adopted (estimation formula setting process).

[0039] 3.Ignition loss estimation method Next, the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention is a method for estimating the ignition loss of target coal ash using the ignition loss estimation device 100 and ignition loss estimation equation setting program of the present invention described up to this point. Therefore, we will avoid explanations that overlap with the contents explained in the ignition loss estimation device 100 and ignition loss estimation equation setting program, and will only explain the contents unique to the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention. In other words, the contents not described here are the same as those explained in "2. Ignition loss estimation device and ignition loss estimation equation setting program."

[0040] Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing the main steps of the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the ignition loss estimation method of the present invention can be broadly divided into a "testing step" and an "estimation step," enclosed by dashed lines. Of these, the testing step is a step of setting up an ignition loss estimation formula, while the estimation step is a step of estimating the ignition loss of the target coal ash. The testing step and estimation step will be described in order below.

[0041] First, the testing process will be described. As previously mentioned, first, two or more types of sample coal ash (preferably, more than the number of specific wavelength intensities) are prepared, and each sample coal ash is photographed using an imaging device such as a spectral camera to obtain the sample wavelength intensities (Step 311 in Figure 5). Once the sample wavelength intensities have been obtained, sample-specific wavelength intensities are extracted from them (Step 312 in Figure 5). Once the sample-specific wavelength intensities have been extracted, a multiple regression analysis is performed, as described in Figures 2 and 3, with the sample-specific wavelength intensities as explanatory variables and the measured ignition loss of the sample coal ash as the response variable, to set up an ignition loss estimation equation (Step 313 in Figure 5).

[0042] Next, the estimation process will be described. As shown in Figure 5, first, the target coal ash is photographed using an imaging device such as a spectral camera to obtain the target wavelength intensities (Step 321 in Figure 5). Once the target wavelength intensities are obtained, a target specific wavelength intensity is extracted from them (Step 322 in Figure 5). Once the target specific wavelength intensity is extracted, this target specific wavelength intensity is input into an ignition loss estimation formula to calculate the estimated ignition loss of the target coal ash (Step 323 in Figure 5).

[0043] 4. Experimental Results The following describes the results of experiments conducted by the inventors of the present invention to verify the practicality of the present invention.

[0044] In this experiment, 97 types of sample coal ash were photographed, and each image was divided into 16 parts to obtain 1,552 sample wavelength intensities (97 types x 16 parts).The 1,552 sample wavelength intensities were then classified into a first group (776 sample wavelength intensities) and a second group (776 sample wavelength intensities).The first sample-specific wavelength intensities were extracted from each group, and a first heat loss estimation formula was set to calculate the first correlation value.The second sample-specific wavelength intensities were extracted, and a second heat loss estimation formula was set to calculate the second correlation value.The first correlation value was then compared with the second correlation value to determine the ignition loss estimation formula.

[0045] To verify the practicality of the ignition loss estimation formula established in this experiment, we confirmed the degree of correlation between the actually measured ignition loss of the sample coal ash and the estimated ignition loss obtained by inputting the sample-specific wavelength intensity of the sample coal ash into this ignition loss estimation formula. Figure 6 is a graph showing the degree of correlation between the actually measured ignition loss of the sample coal ash and the estimated ignition loss. As shown in this figure, there is a high correlation (correlation coefficient R 2 =0.6587). In this way, it was verified that the present invention is fully practicable. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The ignition loss estimation device, ignition loss estimation formula setting program, and ignition loss estimation method of the present invention can be used in various concrete structures, including civil engineering structures such as dams, tunnels, and bridges, and architectural structures such as apartment buildings and office buildings. Considering that the present invention provides an ideal solution to the currently urgent issue of "effective use of resources," it is an invention that can be expected to not only be used industrially but also make a significant contribution to society. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Ignition loss estimation device of the present invention 101 (Ignition loss estimation device) Ignition loss calculation means 102 (Ignition loss estimation device) estimation formula setting means 103 Wavelength intensity input means (for ignition loss estimation device) 104 (Ignition loss estimation device) estimation formula storage means

Claims

1. An apparatus for estimating ignition loss of target coal ash based on wavelength-specific intensities, which are spectral intensities for each wavelength acquired by an imaging means, comprising: an estimation formula storage means for storing an ignition loss estimation formula; and an ignition loss calculation means for calculating the ignition loss of the target coal ash based on the ignition loss estimation formula read from the estimation formula storage means and the wavelength-specific intensity of the target coal ash acquired by the imaging means, the ignition loss estimation formula is set by extracting specific wavelength intensities associated with two or more predetermined wavelengths from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing a sample coal ash, the sample coal ash having a known ignition loss, using the photographing means, and then performing multiple regression analysis using the specific wavelength intensities associated with the sample coal ash as explanatory variables and the ignition loss associated with the sample coal ash as a response variable; the ignition loss calculation means calculates the ignition loss using the specific wavelength intensity among the wavelength-specific intensities. The ignition loss estimation device is characterized by the above.

2. Further provided is an estimation formula setting means for setting the ignition loss estimation formula, the estimation formula setting means extracts the specific wavelength intensity from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing the sample coal ash with the photographing means, and sets the loss on ignition estimation formula by performing multiple regression analysis using the specific wavelength intensity of the sample coal ash as an explanatory variable and the loss on ignition of the sample coal ash as a response variable.

2. The ignition loss estimation device according to claim 1.

3. further comprising a wavelength-specific intensity input means through which an operator inputs the wavelength-specific intensity of the target coal ash acquired by the photographing means; the ignition loss calculation means extracts the specific wavelength intensity from the wavelength-specific intensities input by the wavelength-specific intensity input means, and then calculates the ignition loss of the target coal ash using the ignition loss estimation formula and the specific wavelength intensity.

3. The ignition loss estimation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A program for causing a computer to execute a function of setting an ignition loss estimation formula for obtaining the ignition loss of target coal ash based on wavelength-specific intensities, which are spectral intensities for each wavelength acquired by an imaging means, a specific wavelength intensity extraction process for extracting specific wavelength intensities relating to two or more predetermined wavelengths from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing a sample coal ash whose ignition loss is known using the photographing means; an estimation formula setting process for setting the ignition loss estimation formula by performing multiple regression analysis using the specific wavelength intensity of the sample coal ash as an explanatory variable and the ignition loss of the sample coal ash as a response variable, The ignition loss of the target coal ash is obtained based on the ignition loss estimation formula and the specific wavelength intensity of the target coal ash. A program for setting an ignition loss estimation formula, characterized by:

5. The method further includes a function of causing the computer to execute a correlation value calculation process for determining a degree of correlation based on the ignition loss of the sample coal ash and the ignition loss obtained by the ignition loss estimation formula, In the specific wavelength intensity extraction process, the sample coal ash is classified into a first group and a second group, and then the specific wavelength intensity relating to the first group is extracted, and the specific wavelength intensity relating to the second group is extracted; In the estimation formula setting process, the ignition loss estimation formula for the first group is set, and the ignition loss estimation formula for the second group is set, In the correlation value calculation process, a degree of correlation related to the first group is calculated, and a degree of correlation related to the second group is calculated; Furthermore, in the estimation equation setting process, the ignition loss estimation equation is determined based on the degree of correlation of the first group and the degree of correlation of the second group.

5. The ignition loss estimation formula setting program according to claim 4.

6. A method for estimating ignition loss of target coal ash based on wavelength-specific intensities, which are spectral intensities for each wavelength acquired by an imaging means, comprising: an estimation formula setting step of setting an ignition loss estimation formula; an imaging step of imaging the target coal ash with the imaging means to acquire the wavelength-specific intensity; an extraction step of extracting specific wavelength intensities relating to two or more predetermined wavelengths from the wavelength-specific intensities of the target coal ash acquired in the photographing step; an ignition loss calculation step of calculating an ignition loss of the target coal ash using the ignition loss estimation formula set in the estimation formula setting step and the specific wavelength intensity of the target coal ash extracted in the extraction step, In the estimation equation setting step, the specific wavelength intensity is extracted from the wavelength-specific intensities obtained by photographing a sample coal ash whose loss on ignition is known using the photographing means, and the loss on ignition estimation equation is set by performing multiple regression analysis in which the specific wavelength intensity of the sample coal ash is used as an explanatory variable and the loss on ignition of the sample coal ash is used as a response variable. A method for estimating loss on ignition, characterized by:

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