Furnace Combustion Control Using Oxygen Coefficient and Energy Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion control systems for manually loaded single room furnaces are inefficient and prone to high pollutant emissions due to uncontrolled fuel feed and lack of automation, leading to suboptimal combustion processes and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control combustion by determining an oxygen coefficient based on temperature measurements in the combustion chamber and waste gas flues, using an energy balance to adjust primary and secondary combustion air flows, ensuring efficient and low-pollutant combustion through precise air supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If manual fuel loading and uncontrolled combustion is used in single room furnaces, then device complexity is reduced, but pollutant emissions increase and combustion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously measures oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber and waste gas flue, then automatically adjusts primary and secondary air supply rates based on these measurements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of combustion parameters, reducing pollutant emissions while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of fuel loading and air supply with automated electronic control systems. Sensors measure combustion parameters (oxygen concentration, temperature) and electronic actuators automatically adjust air supply rates, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electromechanical systems that reduce emissions while managing complexity through integration.
2Productivity
If automated combustion control with multiple sensors is implemented, then combustion efficiency improves, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal control algorithm that processes measurements from oxygen sensors and temperature sensors to simultaneously optimize multiple combustion parameters including primary air supply, secondary air supply, and fuel feed rate. This multi-functional control approach improves combustion efficiency while managing system complexity by using a single integrated control system rather than separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts combustion parameters (air supply rates, fuel feed rate) based on real-time measurements of oxygen concentration and temperature. The control system modifies these parameters continuously to optimize combustion efficiency, using parameter changes as the primary mechanism for improving performance while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based control.
3Loss of energy
If precise control of primary and secondary air flows is implemented, then thermal efficiency improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from oxygen concentration measurements in the waste gas flue to automatically adjust the rates of primary and secondary air supply. This closed-loop control optimizes thermal efficiency by ensuring complete combustion while minimizing excess air losses, managing the complexity of precise air flow control through automated measurement and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls air flow rates through pneumatic actuators that adjust dampers or valves in the primary and secondary air supply lines. These pneumatic devices translate electronic control signals into precise mechanical adjustments of air flow, enabling efficient thermal control while managing system complexity through standardized pneumatic actuation mechanisms.
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
Achieves a sustainable reduction in pollutant emissions, improves thermal efficiency, and optimizes heat production by controlling the combustion process with durable, low-maintenance sensors and universal applicability across different furnace designs.
Implementation Method 1
at least two temperature values are detected with at least two temperature sensors in the combustion chamber area and/or in the waste gas flues
Implementation Method 2
the supply of primary and/or secondary combustion air into the combustion chamber area is controlled as a function of the determined oxygen coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a method for controlling the combustion in furnace systems, wherein an oxygen coefficient is determined from the temperature in a combustion chamber area and/or in the waste-gas flues of the furnace system and on the basis of an energy balance of the combustion process in the furnace system, the combustion air and the waste gas, and said oxygen coefficient is used to control the combustion material flows and therefore the thermal output and also the combustion quality. The invention relates to a device for feeding combustion air in the furnace system, which device has a chamber, which on a first side has a main duct for feeding ambient air and/or air from the chimney system and on a second side has a pane-washing air duct and a secondary-air duct, both the pane-washing air duct and the secondary-air duct.