Oxidant Gas Safety Controller for Spectrometer Flame Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometer systems face the risk of flash back events during power failures, which can cause damage due to uncoordinated shutdowns of mechanical flow restricting valves in flame modules, particularly in atomic absorption and emission spectrometers.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply system with an oxidant gas safety controller that rapidly increases the oxidant gas flow rate to extinguish the flame upon power failure, using an energy storage circuit to ensure safe shutdown independent of firmware, combined with a fuel gas safety controller to close the fuel gas flow valve rapidly, reducing the risk of flash back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical flow restricting valves are used to control gas flow in flame modules, then the system structure is simple, but uncoordinated shutdown during power failure causes flash back events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a controlled shutdown sequence before power failure can cause damage. The oxidant gas flow valve is commanded to open and the oxidant gas flow rate is increased to a higher level than normal operating levels before the fuel gas is shut off, ensuring the flame is extinguished in a safe manner that prevents flash back events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static mechanical flow restricting valves to dynamic electronically controlled flow valves. This allows real-time adjustment of gas flow rates during shutdown, enabling coordinated control where oxidant gas flow is increased before fuel gas is reduced, preventing the uncoordinated shutdown that causes flash back.
2Reliability
If electronic control is added to coordinate valve shutdown, then shutdown safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the safety control functionality into the existing spectrometer control system. The safety controller receives control signals from the spectrometer controller and executes coordinated shutdown sequences, combining multiple control functions into a unified system that manages both oxidant and fuel gas valves through centralized electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting gas flow rate parameters during shutdown. The system changes the oxidant gas flow rate to a higher level than normal operation before shutting off fuel gas, using parameter transformation to achieve safe shutdown without requiring complex additional hardware.
3Reliability
If rapid shutdown is implemented to prevent flash back, then safety is improved, but the flame may not extinguish completely due to residual gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by increasing the oxidant gas flow rate to levels higher than normal operation before shutting off the fuel gas. This preliminary increase in oxidant flow ensures that when the fuel is cut off, there is sufficient oxidant present to completely extinguish the flame and prevent flash back, rather than simply reducing both flows simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional shutdown approach. Instead of reducing both oxidant and fuel flows together or reducing fuel first, the system increases oxidant flow before cutting fuel, using the opposite sequence to achieve complete flame extinguishment and prevent residual combustion.
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 solution effectively prevents flash back events by ensuring rapid and controlled extinguishment of the flame during power failures, thereby protecting the spectrometer system from damage and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage circuit to ensure safe shutdown independent of firmware
Implementation Method 2
rapidly increases the oxidant gas flow rate to extinguish the flame upon power failure
Implementation Method 3
a fuel gas safety controller to close the fuel gas flow valve rapidly, reducing the risk of flash back
Implementation Method 4
a burner head where a flame is present
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a gas supply system for a flame module of a spectrometer and a method of controlling a flame module. The gas supply system comprises an oxidant gas supply line for providing a supply of oxidant gas, an oxidant gas flow valve for varying a gas flow rate of an oxidant gas in the oxidant gas supply line, an oxidant gas safety controller configured to control the oxidant gas flow valve, a fuel gas supply line for providing a supply of fuel gas, a fuel gas flow valve configured to control a gas flow rate of a fuel gas on the fuel gas supply line, and a fuel gas safety controller configured to control the fuel gas flow valve. During normal operation, the oxidant gas safety controller is configured to charge an energy storage circuit of the oxidant gas safety controller. In the event of a power failure, a first switch of the oxidant gas safety controller is configured to connect the energy storage circuit to the oxidant gas flow valve, wherein the energy storage circuit is configured to discharge energy to the oxidant gas flow valve to increase the oxidant gas flow rate in order to extinguish a flame of the flame module, and the fuel gas safety controller is configured to close the fuel gas flow valve.