Refuse-Derived Fuel Quality Assessment via Multi-Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the quality of substitute fuel particles, such as refuse-derived fuel, provide imprecise assessments of quality parameters like moisture content, chlorine content, and calorific value, leading to high reject rates and suboptimal incinerator performance.
Innovation Solution
A method using a light source and photo sensor to irradiate and analyze substitute fuel particles, comparing recorded light spectra with reference spectra to determine material composition and applying a material-specific correlation function, derived from regression methods like partial least squares regression, to quantify quality parameters like moisture, chlorine, and calorific value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic methods are used to determine quality parameters of substitute fuel particles, then the assessment is obtained, but the precision and accuracy of the quality parameters (moisture content, chlorine content, calorific value) are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing multiple wavelength ranges (visible, near-infrared, short-wave infrared) instead of a single wavelength. This multi-spectral approach transforms the measurement parameters to capture different absorption and reflection characteristics of the substitute fuel particles, thereby improving the precision and reliability of quality parameter determination including moisture content, chlorine content, and calorific value
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite measurement system that combines multiple light sources operating at different wavelength ranges. This composite spectral information, when processed through the evaluation unit with reference spectra and correlation functions, enables accurate determination of multiple quality parameters simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability
2Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic methods are used, then quality assessment is provided, but the reject rate in subsequent sorting remains unnecessarily high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces imprecise conventional spectroscopic methods with an advanced optical measurement system that uses multiple wavelength ranges and sophisticated evaluation algorithms. This substitution provides accurate quality parameter determination before sorting, enabling precise classification of substitute fuel particles and minimizing unnecessary rejections, thus reducing the loss of substance
3Productivity
If inaccurate quality determination is performed, then the process continues, but incinerator performance becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the evaluation unit continuously analyzes spectral data from substitute fuel particles, determines quality parameters (moisture content, chlorine content, calorific value) with high precision, and provides this information for process control. This feedback enables optimization of incinerator performance by ensuring accurate quality assessment of the fuel material
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 quick and accurate determination of quantitative quality parameters, reducing reject rates and ensuring optimal incinerator performance by providing precise assessments of substitute fuel quality.
Implementation Method 1
The substitute fuel particles are irradiated with at least one light source. The light reflected or transmitted by the RDF particles is projected onto a photo sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The photo sensor detects at least one light spectrum of a substitute fuel particle from the reflected or transmitted light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method for determining the quality of substitute fuel particles comprises irradiating the substitute fuel particles and recording at least one light spectrum of a substitute fuel particle from the reflected and/or transmitted light. The recorded light spectrum is compared with reference light spectra of reference substitute fuel particles made of known materials. Subsequently, any deviation of the reference light spectra from the recorded light spectrum is determined, and the material of the reference substitute fuel particle whose reference light spectrum exhibits the smallest deviation from the recorded light spectrum is assigned to the recorded light spectrum.Subsequently, at least one quantitative quality parameter of the recorded light spectrum is determined by evaluating the recorded light spectrum at least in part using a material-specific correlation function between light spectral data of substitute fuel particles and reference-analytically determined quantitative quality parameters of substitute fuels.