Burner Flame Imaging Control for Fall-Out Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional burners used in well testing operations face inefficiencies due to manual adjustment based on visual observation, leading to 'fall out' conditions when flow rates or pressures drop below minimum limits, affecting combustion efficiency and environmental safety.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring and control system that captures images of the burner flame, processes them to detect combustion features, and communicates information to operators or initiates control actions to optimize burning operations, using cameras and image processing techniques to maintain efficient combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual visual observation is used to monitor burner operation, then operational simplicity is maintained, but combustion efficiency deteriorates due to delayed detection of fall out conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidcombustion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual observation with an automated optical monitoring system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of the flame and uses computer vision techniques to detect combustion characteristics, substituting human sensory and cognitive processes with mechanical-optical-electronic systems that provide continuous, objective monitoring without requiring human presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring flame characteristics in real-time and providing information about combustion efficiency. The image processing system analyzes flame properties and feeds this information back to operators or control systems, enabling timely detection of fall out conditions and allowing for corrective actions to maintain optimal combustion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automated image processing is implemented for real-time flame analysis, then combustion efficiency is improved through continuous monitoring, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a bridge between the physical flame and the control decision-making process. The system captures optical information from the flame, processes it through algorithms that extract combustion characteristics, and converts this information into meaningful metrics. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall complexity by modularizing the monitoring function into distinct components: sensing, processing, and decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If operators adjust flow rates based on real-time visual analysis, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but response time deteriorates due to human reaction delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse adaptabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuous monitoring and analysis of flame characteristics without interruption. The automated image processing operates continuously, capturing and analyzing flame images at regular intervals, ensuring that combustion conditions are constantly assessed. This continuous action eliminates the intermittent nature of manual observation and enables uninterrupted detection of changing combustion conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces human visual analysis and decision-making with automated optical sensing and algorithmic processing. The system uses computer vision techniques to analyze flame characteristics and automatically determines when adjustments are needed, substituting human cognitive processing with electronic algorithms that operate faster and without fatigue, thereby reducing response time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system ensures consistent and efficient combustion by automatically adjusting parameters based on real-time flame analysis, preventing 'fall out' conditions and improving environmental safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

capturing an image of the flame from the burner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3356736B1Burner monitoring and control systems

Publication Date: 2022.08.10 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA

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AI summary

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling burning operations are provided. A method of one embodiment includes igniting oil or gas with a burner (282) during a burning operation and monitoring the burning operation with a camera (290). This monitoring of the burning operation can include acquiring image data for a flame (290) of the burner via the camera and analyzing the acquired image data to detect image features indicative of combustion of the oil or gas via the burner. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.