Optical Bed Material Circulation Measurement in Fluidized Bed Combustors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the circulation quantity of bed material in circulating fluidized bed combustors are qualitative and complex, making it difficult to accurately compare simulation results with actual operation data and stabilize combustion furnace temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that measure the time taken for bed material to reach a predetermined height in a downcomer, using light sensors and a timer to calculate the flow rate and accumulated amount, allowing for quantitative estimation of circulation quantity based on the downcomer's inner diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If qualitative evaluation methods are used to assess bed material circulation, then the measurement system remains simple, but the accuracy and reliability of circulation quantity measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a simple optical measurement system. Light sources and light receivers are positioned to detect bed material height in the downcomer, substituting elaborate mechanical sensors and complex measurement apparatus with a straightforward optical detection method that achieves accurate quantitative measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to measure bed material circulation. Instead of directly measuring circulation quantity through complex mechanical means, the system uses light transmission through the downcomer to indirectly detect bed material height, which then correlates to circulation quantity through calculation.
2Measurement precision
If complex measurement systems are used to achieve accurate circulation quantity measurement, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a simple optical measurement system. Light sources and light receivers are positioned to detect bed material height in the downcomer, substituting elaborate mechanical sensors and complex measurement apparatus with a straightforward optical detection method that achieves accurate quantitative measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement function into distinct components: light sources positioned at specific heights, light receivers, and a calculation system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If simulation results are compared with actual operation data without accurate measurement methods, then the analysis process remains simple, but the reliability of thermal balance comparison deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where actual bed material circulation is continuously measured using the optical detection system, and this measured data is fed back to compare with simulation results. This feedback loop enables reliable thermal balance comparison by providing accurate actual operation data that can be directly correlated with simulation predictions.
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
Enables simple and accurate quantification of bed material circulation, enhancing the comparison of thermal balance results between simulations and actual operations, and ensuring stable combustion furnace temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
measuring time required for the bed material accumulated in the downcomer to reach an upper predetermined height from a lower reference height
Data Source
AI summary
In order to quantitatively evaluate actual circulation quantity of bed material extremely simply and to enhance accuracy of comparison of results of thermal balance examined through simulation or the like with actual operation results, time is measured which is required for bed material in a downcomer 5 to reach an upper predetermined height H1 from a lower reference height H0 during stopped feeding of fluidizing air to an external heat exchanger 7; a flow rate of the bed material as circulation quantity is determined from the time and an accumulated amount of the bed material based on an inner diameter D of the downcomer 5.