Combustion Efficiency Monitoring via Normalized Signal Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the efficiency of combustion equipment is challenging due to incomplete measurements from existing instrumentation and unknown variables, leading to inadequate identification and prevention of faults and degradations, which can result in reduced performance and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using existing sensors attached to the combustion equipment to measure data periodically, comparing it to a theoretical efficiency signal derived from offline data, and normalizing the unscaled efficiency signal to provide a clear, physical unit representation of efficiency, allowing for more frequent monitoring and improved detection of operational changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing instrumentation is used to monitor combustion equipment efficiency, then monitoring can be performed without additional hardware, but measurements are incomplete and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computational intermediary (processor executing algorithms) that mediates between the existing incomplete sensor measurements and the desired complete efficiency assessment. The intermediary calculates missing variables (such as liquid mass flow from temperature and pressure data) and synthesizes a comprehensive efficiency metric from fragmented measurements, resolving the contradiction by adding intelligence rather than hardware.
2Measurement precision
If technical units are used to represent efficiency output, then precise calculations can be performed, but user understanding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the efficiency parameter from technical units (such as raw calculated values in scientific notation) to normalized, user-friendly representations (such as percentages or scaled indices). This parameter change maintains the mathematical precision of underlying calculations while presenting the final output in intuitively understandable form, allowing users to grasp efficiency levels at a glance without needing specialized knowledge.
3Reliability
If monitoring frequency is increased to detect faults early, then equipment stability is extended, but computational resources and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational actions by pre-calculating efficiency baselines, storing historical performance data, and pre-configuring fault detection thresholds during system setup or idle periods. This preliminary preparation enables rapid real-time monitoring with minimal computational overhead during operation, as the system only needs to compare current measurements against pre-established criteria rather than performing complex analyses continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein. One method embodiment includes determining an unscaled efficiency signal of combustion equipment using data measured from the combustion equipment, determining a theoretical efficiency signal of the combustion equipment using a theoretical efficiency surface of the combustion equipment and a subset of the measured data, and normalizing the unscaled efficiency signal using values from a correlated portion of the theoretical efficiency signal to monitor efficiency of the combustion equipment. Other embodiments can include providing a performance indicator of the combustion equipment in response to an operational mode change.