US20110008737A1 - Optical sensors for combustion control - Google Patents

Optical sensors for combustion control Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110008737A1
US20110008737A1 US12/484,447 US48444709A US2011008737A1 US 20110008737 A1 US20110008737 A1 US 20110008737A1 US 48444709 A US48444709 A US 48444709A US 2011008737 A1 US2011008737 A1 US 2011008737A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
optical
flame
light emission
operable
combustor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/484,447
Inventor
Keith Robert McManus
Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US12/484,447 priority Critical patent/US20110008737A1/en
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY reassignment GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MCMANUS, KEITH ROBERT, DAVIS, LEWIS BERKLEY, JR.
Priority to DE102010017195A priority patent/DE102010017195A1/en
Priority to JP2010130598A priority patent/JP2010286487A/en
Priority to CH00933/10A priority patent/CH701198A2/en
Priority to CN2010102134727A priority patent/CN101922731A/en
Publication of US20110008737A1 publication Critical patent/US20110008737A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23NREGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N1/00Regulating fuel supply
    • F23N1/02Regulating fuel supply conjointly with air supply
    • F23N1/022Regulating fuel supply conjointly with air supply using electronic means
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23NREGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/02Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
    • F23N5/08Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using light-sensitive elements
    • F23N5/082Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using light-sensitive elements using electronic means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01JMEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/02Details
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01JMEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/02Details
    • G01J3/0205Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
    • G01J3/0208Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01JMEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/02Details
    • G01J3/0205Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
    • G01J3/0237Adjustable, e.g. focussing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01JMEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/02Details
    • G01J3/0264Electrical interface; User interface
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01JMEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
    • G01J3/00Spectrometry; Spectrophotometry; Monochromators; Measuring colours
    • G01J3/28Investigating the spectrum
    • G01J3/30Measuring the intensity of spectral lines directly on the spectrum itself
    • G01J3/36Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/62Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
    • G01N21/71Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited
    • G01N21/72Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light thermally excited using flame burners
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23NREGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2229/00Flame sensors
    • F23N2229/20Camera viewing
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23NREGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2241/00Applications
    • F23N2241/20Gas turbines
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23RGENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY, e.g. GAS-TURBINE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
    • F23R2900/00Special features of, or arrangements for continuous combustion chambers; Combustion processes therefor
    • F23R2900/00013Reducing thermo-acoustic vibrations by active means

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to sensors, and more particularly relates to optical sensors for combustion control.
  • Modern industrial gas turbines are required to convert energy at a high efficiency while producing minimum polluting emissions. But these two requirements are at odds with each other since higher efficiencies are generally achieved by increasing overall gas temperature in the combustion chambers, while pollutants such as nitrogen oxide are typically reduced by lowering the maximum gas temperature.
  • the maximum gas temperature can be reduced by maintaining a lean fuel-to-air ratio in the combustion chamber, but if the fuel/air mixture is too lean, incomplete fuel combustion can produce excessive carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Therefore, the temperature in the reaction zone must be adequate to support complete combustion.
  • one conventional system includes a control system where fuel flow rates, pressure levels, and discharge exhaust temperature distributions are utilized as input for setting fuel trim control valves.
  • combustion dynamics include measuring light emission from the combustion burner flame, and using the measured signal to control certain combustion parameters.
  • one conventional system uses a closed loop feedback system employing a silicon carbide photodiode to sense the combustion flame temperature via the measurement of ultraviolet radiation intensity. The sensed ultraviolet radiation is utilized to control the fuel/air ratio of the fuel mixture to keep the temperature of the flame below a predetermined level associated with a desired low level of nitrogen oxides.
  • Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing optical sensors for combustion control.
  • a method for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor can include providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, detecting at least a portion of the light emission from the flame region within the at least one optical path, and controlling at least one of the combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission.
  • a system for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor can include at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region, and at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photo detectors.
  • a gas turbine can include a combustor, at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port, and operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region, and at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photodetectors.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative optical sensor in communication with the flame region of a turbine combustor, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the optical sensor imaging system, in accordance with a narrow field-of-view example embodiment of the invention, where the lens is positioned to collect light primarily from one flame region of the combustor.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the optical sensor imaging system, in accordance with a wide field-of-view example embodiment of the invention, where the lens is positioned to collect light from multiple flame regions of the combustor.
  • FIG. 4 is an example method flowchart for measuring flame combustion parameters, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • An embodiment of the invention may enable combustion parameters to be measured in a turbine combustor by selectively detecting spatial, temporal, and/or spectral light emissions from combustor burner flames.
  • the measured combustion parameters may in turn be utilized to control various parameters of the combustor, including, but not limited to fuel flow rates, fuel/air ratios, and fuel flow distributions to optimize nitrous oxide emissions, dynamic pressure oscillations, and fuel efficiencies.
  • chemiluminescence emissions from one or more flames in a combustor may be monitored using optical detectors.
  • the light energy emissions may be spectrally filtered to identify the partial contribution of the total light emission from specific excited-state species such as OH*, CH*, C2* and CO2*. Ratios of these measured signals may be correlated to the fuel-to-air ratio, heat release rate, and temperature.
  • the time-resolved output from optical detectors may be analyzed to reveal unsteady phenomena associated with the combustion, and may be used to indicate combustion-acoustic oscillations (combustion dynamics), incipient flame blowout, and flame extinction.
  • the output signals may be used as feedback for use in a closed-loop combustion control system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example can combustor with a flame sensor and control system 100 for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • the flame sensor components may be placed or mounted adjacent to the can combustor 102 and may selectively detect light emission from the flames 104 within the can combustor 102 near the flame region 106 of the can combustor 102 .
  • the light emission from at least a portion of the burner flames 104 may pass through an optical port 112 in the side wall of the can combustor 102 and may be focused, imaged, or transformed by one or more lenses 114 .
  • the one or more lenses 114 may be moveable in order to vary the optical system field of view, as will be discussed in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 below.
  • an aperture 130 may be placed adjacent to the lens 114 in order to control the intensity of the light from the flames 104 .
  • the aperture 130 may also be utilized for adjusting the optical system depth of field.
  • a portion of the spectrum of the light from the burner flames 104 may be filtered before reaching the first optical detector 122 by a first optical filter 118 to aid in identifying the partial contribution of the total light emission from specific excited-state species that produce optical radiation in narrow-band portions of the optical spectrum.
  • the optical detector 122 may be selected for its response within wavelength spectra windows of interest.
  • a silicon carbide (SiC) photo detector may be selected because of its sensitivity to the ultra violet portion of the wavelength spectrum, and therefore, may be suitable for sensing the emission from the excited state OH* radical in the 300 nm wavelength range.
  • the OH* emission can be a primary indicator of chemical reaction intensity (heat release) and therefore, wavelengths in the 300 nm region may be used to determine gas temperature.
  • a silicon (Si) photo detector may be utilized for monitoring the emission from chemical species in the 400 to 1000 nm spectrum including CH* (about 430 nm) and C2* (about 514 nm). These flame radicals have been found to be proportional to heat release and local fuel-to-air ratio in pre-mixed flames.
  • a beam splitter 116 may be utilized to redirect a portion of the light emission through a second optical filter 120 to a second optical detector 124 .
  • the spectral transmission characteristics of the first optical filter 118 and the second optical filter 120 may be selected such that specific excited-state species ratios may be measured with increased accuracy while partially eliminating interfering background emissions from excited-state species that may be of less interest.
  • the first optical filter 118 and the second optical filter 120 may be interchangeable, fixed, or tunable.
  • the optical filters 118 120 may be narrowband filters. Fabry-Perot or dichroic optical filters are examples of the types of filters that may be utilized for transmitting certain wavelength bands while attenuating or reflecting out-of-band wavelengths.
  • the detector electronics 126 may be operable to condition, amplify, filter, and process the signals from the optical detectors 122 , 124 .
  • the detector electronics 126 may also provide control for adjusting the diameter of the aperture 130 and/or for positioning the lens 114 .
  • the output signal from the detector electronics may be used as a control signal for the combustion control system 128 .
  • the measured ratio of CH to OH chemiluminescence CH*/OH*
  • CH*/OH* may be utilized as feedback in the combustion control system 128 , and may provide a control to dynamically adjust the fuel/air ratio.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an end view of combustion zone and a narrow field-of-view flame imaging and sensor system 200 , according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • the beam splitter 116 , second optical detector 124 , and the first and second optical filters 118 , 120 are omitted from this figure.
  • a portion of the light emission from the burner flames 104 may be imaged onto the surface of the optical detector 122 .
  • the flame object 208 may be imaged at the image plane 204 to produce a flame image 210 .
  • the optical detector 122 at the image plane 204 may comprise a single sensing element having a finite sensing area, and therefore, the optical radiation that is imaged onto the sensor area may produce an output signal proportional to the integrated sum of the total optical energy incident on the detector.
  • the field of view may be determined by a combination of factors including the placement of the lens 114 , the width of the optical detector 122 , the focal length f 202 of the lens 114 , the object distance 212 , and the image distance 214 .
  • FIG. 2 shows an example narrow field-of-view embodiment where a lens 114 , having a focal length f 202 , is placed in an example first position at an image distance 214 from the image plane 204 , where the image plane 204 is coincident with the surface of the optical detector 122 .
  • the flame object 208 located at the object plane 206 produces a flame image 210 at the image plane 204 .
  • the example configuration shown will also allow a small portion of the light from the non-imaged burner flames 104 to be incident on the optical detector 122 , but the majority of the output signal produced by the detector will be related to the portion of the imaged flame 210 that falls on the active area of the detector.
  • the detector may be adjustable such that it is able to move along the image plane to enable different burner flame 104 regions to be selected for detecting.
  • a fixed or adjustable aperture may be placed adjacent to the detector to limit unwanted portions of the flame image 210 that may otherwise be incident on the optical detector 122 .
  • the fixed or adjustable aperture may move parallel to the image plane 204 to selectively transmit regions of the burner flame image 210 for sensing with the detector, thereby, providing an alternative to moving the detector to enable different burner flame 104 regions to be selected for detecting.
  • multiple detectors may be utilized in the image plane 204 to simultaneously detect or monitor spatially separated regions of the burner flames 104 .
  • FIG. 3 depicts an end view of combustion zone wide field-of-view flame imaging and sensor system 300 , according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • the beam splitter 116 , second optical detector 124 , and the first and second optical filters 118 , 120 are omitted from this figure for clarity.
  • the movable lens 114 is positioned closer to the optical detector 122 and image plane 204 as compared to the depiction shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the imaging system may selectively collect and image light emission primarily from a single combustor flame 104 (i.e., the narrow-field-of-view embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 ).
  • the optical detectors 122 , 124 may be selected to measure one- or two-dimensional representations of the primary combustion parameters.
  • optical detectors 122 , 124 may comprise an array, rather than a single sensitive element. Therefore, the arrays may capture flame images over a two-dimensional grid, similar to a digital camera system. Examples of such arrays can include, but are not limited to, charged coupled devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) arrays, and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) arrays.
  • CCD charged coupled devices
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
  • InGaAs indium gallium arsenide
  • At least one optical port such as 112 may be provided in the body of the turbine can combustor such as 102 adjacent to the flame region such as 106 .
  • the optical port may be constructed from high temperature resistant, optically transparent material such as quartz, sapphire, or other suitable materials with low loss and a transmission bandwidth appropriate for the wavelengths of interest.
  • Light emissions from the burner flames such as 104 may be transmitted through the optical port 112 to the remaining optical system, which may reside outside of the can combustor 102 where thermal isolation, cooling, etc., can be used to protect the optics, detectors, and associated electronics and hardware.
  • the optical system may comprise a variable aperture such as 130 adjacent to the optical port such as 112 .
  • the variable aperture 130 may be manually adjusted, or it may be motorized so that the diameter of the aperture opening may be electronically controlled to adjust the total influx of light reaching the optical detectors such as 122 , 124 .
  • the variable aperture 130 may also be used to provide a depth-of-field control for the optical imaging system.
  • the variable aperture 130 may be mounted adjacent to the optical port 112 .
  • the optical imaging system may additionally comprise an adjustable or moveable lens such as 114 or lens system adjacent to the variable aperture 130 , at least one optical detector 122 responsive to at least the portion of the burner flame such as 104 emission spectrum of interest, and at least one optical filter such as 118 in the optical path before the optical detector 122 and operable to selectively transmit a portion of the burner flame 104 emission spectrum to the optical detector 122 .
  • an adjustable or moveable lens such as 114 or lens system adjacent to the variable aperture 130
  • at least one optical detector 122 responsive to at least the portion of the burner flame such as 104 emission spectrum of interest
  • at least one optical filter such as 118 in the optical path before the optical detector 122 and operable to selectively transmit a portion of the burner flame 104 emission spectrum to the optical detector 122 .
  • Decision block 406 depicts two settings available for the optical imaging system: wide and narrow field-of-view.
  • the binary (wide or narrow) settings may be accomplished by selectively inserting or removing fixed lenses into the appropriate position along the optical path.
  • the lens such as 114 may be moveable, and therefore, the field-of-view may also be variable, and may be set as desired at any intermediate setting between the extreme wide and narrow field-of-view settings.
  • the optical imaging system may be set to comprise a wide field-of-view, for example, by adjusting the distance between the lens such as 114 and the optical detector such as 122 to be approximately the focal length f 202 of the lens 114 (as depicted in FIG. 3 ).
  • the optical imaging system may be set to comprise a narrow field-of-view, for example, by adjusting the distance between the lens 114 and the optical detector 122 to be approximately twice the focal length f 202 of the lens 114 (as depicted in FIG. 2 ).
  • Physical constraints may limit the actual movement of the lens 114 , therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that additional lens methods can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
  • Block 412 indicates that an optional ratiometric technique may be utilized for simultaneously measuring and relating two or more wavelengths of interest.
  • the ratiometric measurement technique may be achieved by providing a beam splitter 116 , a first optical filter 118 , a first optical detector 122 , a second optical filter 120 , and a second optical detector 124 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the ratiometric measurement may be achieved by utilizing the first optical filter 118 and the first optical detector 122 to selectively measure the emission response from one excited species (for example CH* near 425 nm) and simultaneously measuring the response of another excited species (for example, OH* near 310 nm) using the second optical filter 120 and second optical detector 124 .
  • the ratiometric measurement may be achieved, for example, by dividing the response of the CH* by the response of the OH*.
  • the ratio CH*/OH* has been shown to relate to the equivalence ratio ( ⁇ ), which is a universal function related to many combustion characteristics.
  • equivalence ratio
  • One other aspect of the ratiometric measurement technique is that background radiation common to each detector may be eliminated, thereby increasing the signal to noise ratio.
  • the combustion flame properties may be measured.
  • the properties may comprise the emission spectra, time perturbations, flame images, or a combination of these properties.
  • a measurement may include both spectral and time varying information.
  • portions of the flame emission spectra may be selected by filtering, and the filtered emission may be incident upon one or more optical detectors 122 , 124 to produce a time varying signal that can be utilized in block 416 to extract combustion parameters from the measurements.
  • the extracted combustion parameters may be used in block 418 to control and optimize the combustion characteristics using other methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
  • the extracted combustion parameters may be utilized in a feedback control loop for adjusting the fuel flow, fuel-to-air ratio, fuel distribution among the burners, etc.

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing optical sensors for combustion control. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor is provided. The method can include providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, detecting at least a portion of the light emission from the flame region within the at least one optical path, and controlling at least one of the combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention generally relates to sensors, and more particularly relates to optical sensors for combustion control.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Modern industrial gas turbines are required to convert energy at a high efficiency while producing minimum polluting emissions. But these two requirements are at odds with each other since higher efficiencies are generally achieved by increasing overall gas temperature in the combustion chambers, while pollutants such as nitrogen oxide are typically reduced by lowering the maximum gas temperature. The maximum gas temperature can be reduced by maintaining a lean fuel-to-air ratio in the combustion chamber, but if the fuel/air mixture is too lean, incomplete fuel combustion can produce excessive carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Therefore, the temperature in the reaction zone must be adequate to support complete combustion.
  • To balance the conflicting needs for increased efficiency and reduced emissions, extremely precise control is required to adjust the fuel/air mixture in the reaction zones of the combustors. Systems have been proposed for controlling the fuel/air mixture by monitoring various combustion parameters, and using the measured parameters as input to control the fuel system. For example, one conventional system includes a control system where fuel flow rates, pressure levels, and discharge exhaust temperature distributions are utilized as input for setting fuel trim control valves.
  • Other techniques for controlling combustion dynamics include measuring light emission from the combustion burner flame, and using the measured signal to control certain combustion parameters. For example, one conventional system uses a closed loop feedback system employing a silicon carbide photodiode to sense the combustion flame temperature via the measurement of ultraviolet radiation intensity. The sensed ultraviolet radiation is utilized to control the fuel/air ratio of the fuel mixture to keep the temperature of the flame below a predetermined level associated with a desired low level of nitrogen oxides.
  • Other conventional systems can use optical fibers for gathering and transmitting light from a combustion region to detectors. Yet other conventional systems can use a video camera to capture images of the flame primarily for monitoring the presence or absence of a flame.
  • A need remains for improved systems and methods for providing optical sensors.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Some or all of the above needs may be addressed by certain embodiments of the invention. Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing optical sensors for combustion control.
  • According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor is provided. The method can include providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, detecting at least a portion of the light emission from the flame region within the at least one optical path, and controlling at least one of the combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission.
  • According to another example embodiment, a system for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor is provided. The system can include at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region, and at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photo detectors.
  • According to another example embodiment, a gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine can include a combustor, at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor, one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port, and operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region, and at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photodetectors.
  • Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. Other embodiments and aspects can be understood with reference to the description and to the drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
  • Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
  • FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative optical sensor in communication with the flame region of a turbine combustor, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the optical sensor imaging system, in accordance with a narrow field-of-view example embodiment of the invention, where the lens is positioned to collect light primarily from one flame region of the combustor.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the optical sensor imaging system, in accordance with a wide field-of-view example embodiment of the invention, where the lens is positioned to collect light from multiple flame regions of the combustor.
  • FIG. 4 is an example method flowchart for measuring flame combustion parameters, according to an example embodiment of the invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
  • An embodiment of the invention may enable combustion parameters to be measured in a turbine combustor by selectively detecting spatial, temporal, and/or spectral light emissions from combustor burner flames. According to embodiments of the invention, the measured combustion parameters may in turn be utilized to control various parameters of the combustor, including, but not limited to fuel flow rates, fuel/air ratios, and fuel flow distributions to optimize nitrous oxide emissions, dynamic pressure oscillations, and fuel efficiencies.
  • According to example embodiments of the invention, chemiluminescence emissions from one or more flames in a combustor may be monitored using optical detectors. The light energy emissions may be spectrally filtered to identify the partial contribution of the total light emission from specific excited-state species such as OH*, CH*, C2* and CO2*. Ratios of these measured signals may be correlated to the fuel-to-air ratio, heat release rate, and temperature. According to example embodiments, the time-resolved output from optical detectors may be analyzed to reveal unsteady phenomena associated with the combustion, and may be used to indicate combustion-acoustic oscillations (combustion dynamics), incipient flame blowout, and flame extinction. In addition, the output signals may be used as feedback for use in a closed-loop combustion control system. Various sensor options and configurations for combustion control applications, according to embodiments of the invention, will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example can combustor with a flame sensor and control system 100 for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor, according to an example embodiment of the invention. The flame sensor components may be placed or mounted adjacent to the can combustor 102 and may selectively detect light emission from the flames 104 within the can combustor 102 near the flame region 106 of the can combustor 102. The light emission from at least a portion of the burner flames 104 may pass through an optical port 112 in the side wall of the can combustor 102 and may be focused, imaged, or transformed by one or more lenses 114. According to example embodiments of the invention, the one or more lenses 114 may be moveable in order to vary the optical system field of view, as will be discussed in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 below.
  • According to an example embodiment of the invention, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, an aperture 130 may be placed adjacent to the lens 114 in order to control the intensity of the light from the flames 104. The aperture 130 may also be utilized for adjusting the optical system depth of field. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a portion of the spectrum of the light from the burner flames 104 may be filtered before reaching the first optical detector 122 by a first optical filter 118 to aid in identifying the partial contribution of the total light emission from specific excited-state species that produce optical radiation in narrow-band portions of the optical spectrum. According to example embodiments of the invention, the optical detector 122 may be selected for its response within wavelength spectra windows of interest. For example, a silicon carbide (SiC) photo detector may be selected because of its sensitivity to the ultra violet portion of the wavelength spectrum, and therefore, may be suitable for sensing the emission from the excited state OH* radical in the 300 nm wavelength range. The OH* emission can be a primary indicator of chemical reaction intensity (heat release) and therefore, wavelengths in the 300 nm region may be used to determine gas temperature. According to another embodiment, a silicon (Si) photo detector may be utilized for monitoring the emission from chemical species in the 400 to 1000 nm spectrum including CH* (about 430 nm) and C2* (about 514 nm). These flame radicals have been found to be proportional to heat release and local fuel-to-air ratio in pre-mixed flames.
  • According to an example embodiment of the invention, a beam splitter 116 may be utilized to redirect a portion of the light emission through a second optical filter 120 to a second optical detector 124. The spectral transmission characteristics of the first optical filter 118 and the second optical filter 120 may be selected such that specific excited-state species ratios may be measured with increased accuracy while partially eliminating interfering background emissions from excited-state species that may be of less interest. According to an example embodiment, the first optical filter 118 and the second optical filter 120 may be interchangeable, fixed, or tunable. According to an example embodiment, the optical filters 118 120 may be narrowband filters. Fabry-Perot or dichroic optical filters are examples of the types of filters that may be utilized for transmitting certain wavelength bands while attenuating or reflecting out-of-band wavelengths.
  • Also shown in FIG. 1 are blocks representing the detector electronics 126 and the combustion control system 128. According to an example embodiment, the detector electronics 126 may be operable to condition, amplify, filter, and process the signals from the optical detectors 122, 124. The detector electronics 126 may also provide control for adjusting the diameter of the aperture 130 and/or for positioning the lens 114. The output signal from the detector electronics may be used as a control signal for the combustion control system 128. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the measured ratio of CH to OH chemiluminescence (CH*/OH*) may be utilized as feedback in the combustion control system 128, and may provide a control to dynamically adjust the fuel/air ratio.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an end view of combustion zone and a narrow field-of-view flame imaging and sensor system 200, according to an example embodiment of the invention. For clarity, the beam splitter 116, second optical detector 124, and the first and second optical filters 118, 120 are omitted from this figure. According to an example embodiment, a portion of the light emission from the burner flames 104 may be imaged onto the surface of the optical detector 122. In an example embodiment, the flame object 208 may be imaged at the image plane 204 to produce a flame image 210. In an example embodiment, the optical detector 122 at the image plane 204 may comprise a single sensing element having a finite sensing area, and therefore, the optical radiation that is imaged onto the sensor area may produce an output signal proportional to the integrated sum of the total optical energy incident on the detector. According to optical imaging theory for thin lenses, the field of view may be determined by a combination of factors including the placement of the lens 114, the width of the optical detector 122, the focal length f 202 of the lens 114, the object distance 212, and the image distance 214. The approximate relationship between the object distance d o 212, the image distance d i 214, and the focal length f of the lens may be expressed as 1/do +1/d i=1/f. The image magnification can be expressed as M=−di/do, where the minus sign indicates that the image is reversed with respect to the optical axis 216.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example narrow field-of-view embodiment where a lens 114, having a focal length f 202, is placed in an example first position at an image distance 214 from the image plane 204, where the image plane 204 is coincident with the surface of the optical detector 122. In this example configuration, the flame object 208 located at the object plane 206 produces a flame image 210 at the image plane 204. The example configuration shown will also allow a small portion of the light from the non-imaged burner flames 104 to be incident on the optical detector 122, but the majority of the output signal produced by the detector will be related to the portion of the imaged flame 210 that falls on the active area of the detector. In an example embodiment of the invention, the detector may be adjustable such that it is able to move along the image plane to enable different burner flame 104 regions to be selected for detecting.
  • According to an example embodiment of the invention, a fixed or adjustable aperture (not shown) may be placed adjacent to the detector to limit unwanted portions of the flame image 210 that may otherwise be incident on the optical detector 122. The fixed or adjustable aperture may move parallel to the image plane 204 to selectively transmit regions of the burner flame image 210 for sensing with the detector, thereby, providing an alternative to moving the detector to enable different burner flame 104 regions to be selected for detecting. According to an example embodiment of the invention, multiple detectors may be utilized in the image plane 204 to simultaneously detect or monitor spatially separated regions of the burner flames 104.
  • FIG. 3 depicts an end view of combustion zone wide field-of-view flame imaging and sensor system 300, according to an example embodiment of the invention. The beam splitter 116, second optical detector 124, and the first and second optical filters 118, 120 are omitted from this figure for clarity. In this example depiction, the movable lens 114 is positioned closer to the optical detector 122 and image plane 204 as compared to the depiction shown in FIG. 2. One consequence of moving the lens 114 closer to the optical detector 122 is that the distance between the image plane 204 and the object plane 206 may increase approximately according to the thin lens formula 1/do+1/di =1/f. Another consequence of moving the lens 114 closer to the optical detector 122 is that size of the flame image 210 may decrease approximately according to the magnification M=−di/do. Therefore, depending on the geometry of the imaging system, the position of the lens 114, and the area of the optical detector 122, the flame image 210 incident on the optical detector 122 may comprise the image of multiple burner flame objects 208. Thus, by adjusting the position of the moveable lens 114 towards the detector, the imaging system may selectively collect and image light emission from multiple combustor flames 104 (i.e., the wide-field-of-view embodiment as shown in FIG. 3). Conversely, by adjusting the position of the moveable lens 114 away from the detector, the imaging system may selectively collect and image light emission primarily from a single combustor flame 104 (i.e., the narrow-field-of-view embodiment as shown in FIG. 2).
  • According to example embodiments, the optical detectors 122, 124 may be selected to measure one- or two-dimensional representations of the primary combustion parameters. For example, optical detectors 122, 124 may comprise an array, rather than a single sensitive element. Therefore, the arrays may capture flame images over a two-dimensional grid, similar to a digital camera system. Examples of such arrays can include, but are not limited to, charged coupled devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) arrays, and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) arrays.
  • An example method for measuring flame parameters for use in controlling combustion characteristics will now be described with reference to the flowchart 400 of FIG. 4. Beginning in block 402 and according to an example embodiment of the invention, at least one optical port such as 112 may be provided in the body of the turbine can combustor such as 102 adjacent to the flame region such as 106. The optical port may be constructed from high temperature resistant, optically transparent material such as quartz, sapphire, or other suitable materials with low loss and a transmission bandwidth appropriate for the wavelengths of interest. Light emissions from the burner flames such as 104 may be transmitted through the optical port 112 to the remaining optical system, which may reside outside of the can combustor 102 where thermal isolation, cooling, etc., can be used to protect the optics, detectors, and associated electronics and hardware.
  • In block 404, according to an example embodiment of the invention, the optical system may comprise a variable aperture such as 130 adjacent to the optical port such as 112. The variable aperture 130 may be manually adjusted, or it may be motorized so that the diameter of the aperture opening may be electronically controlled to adjust the total influx of light reaching the optical detectors such as 122, 124. The variable aperture 130 may also be used to provide a depth-of-field control for the optical imaging system. According to one example embodiment, the variable aperture 130 may be mounted adjacent to the optical port 112. The optical imaging system may additionally comprise an adjustable or moveable lens such as 114 or lens system adjacent to the variable aperture 130, at least one optical detector 122 responsive to at least the portion of the burner flame such as 104 emission spectrum of interest, and at least one optical filter such as 118 in the optical path before the optical detector 122 and operable to selectively transmit a portion of the burner flame 104 emission spectrum to the optical detector 122.
  • Decision block 406 depicts two settings available for the optical imaging system: wide and narrow field-of-view. According to an example embodiment, the binary (wide or narrow) settings may be accomplished by selectively inserting or removing fixed lenses into the appropriate position along the optical path. However, according to another example embodiment, the lens such as 114 may be moveable, and therefore, the field-of-view may also be variable, and may be set as desired at any intermediate setting between the extreme wide and narrow field-of-view settings.
  • In block 408, the optical imaging system may be set to comprise a wide field-of-view, for example, by adjusting the distance between the lens such as 114 and the optical detector such as 122 to be approximately the focal length f 202 of the lens 114 (as depicted in FIG. 3).
  • In block 410, the optical imaging system may be set to comprise a narrow field-of-view, for example, by adjusting the distance between the lens 114 and the optical detector 122 to be approximately twice the focal length f 202 of the lens 114 (as depicted in FIG. 2). Physical constraints may limit the actual movement of the lens 114, therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that additional lens methods can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
  • Block 412 indicates that an optional ratiometric technique may be utilized for simultaneously measuring and relating two or more wavelengths of interest. According to an example embodiment, the ratiometric measurement technique may be achieved by providing a beam splitter 116, a first optical filter 118, a first optical detector 122, a second optical filter 120, and a second optical detector 124, as shown in FIG. 1. In one example embodiment, the ratiometric measurement may be achieved by utilizing the first optical filter 118 and the first optical detector 122 to selectively measure the emission response from one excited species (for example CH* near 425 nm) and simultaneously measuring the response of another excited species (for example, OH* near 310 nm) using the second optical filter 120 and second optical detector 124. The ratiometric measurement may be achieved, for example, by dividing the response of the CH* by the response of the OH*. The ratio CH*/OH* has been shown to relate to the equivalence ratio (φ), which is a universal function related to many combustion characteristics. One other aspect of the ratiometric measurement technique is that background radiation common to each detector may be eliminated, thereby increasing the signal to noise ratio.
  • In block 414, and according to an example embodiment, the combustion flame properties may be measured. The properties may comprise the emission spectra, time perturbations, flame images, or a combination of these properties. A measurement may include both spectral and time varying information. For example, portions of the flame emission spectra may be selected by filtering, and the filtered emission may be incident upon one or more optical detectors 122, 124 to produce a time varying signal that can be utilized in block 416 to extract combustion parameters from the measurements. The extracted combustion parameters may be used in block 418 to control and optimize the combustion characteristics using other methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, the extracted combustion parameters may be utilized in a feedback control loop for adjusting the fuel flow, fuel-to-air ratio, fuel distribution among the burners, etc.
  • Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (20)

1. A method for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor, the method comprising:
providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor;
detecting within the at least one optical path at least a portion of light emission from the flame region; and
controlling at least one of the combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting within the at least one optical path at least a portion of light emission from the flame region comprises selectively filtering the light emission to isolate spectral information associated with the light emission.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor comprises providing a lens operable to image at least a portion of the light emission from the flame region.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor comprises providing a moveable lens operable to variably adjust at least a field of view associated with the optical path.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting within the at least one optical path at least a portion of light emission from the flame region comprises filtering least a portion of the light with a first filter and detecting at least a portion of the first filtered light with at least one first photodetector.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein detecting within the at least one optical path at least a portion of light emission from the flame region comprises filtering least a portion of the light with a second filter and detecting at least a portion of the second filtered light with at least one second photodetector, wherein the second filter differs from the first filter.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein controlling at least one of the combustion parameters is based in part on signals from the at least one first photodetector and the at least one second photodetector.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling at least one of the combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission comprises controlling at least one of fuel flow rate, fuel flow distribution, air/fuel ratio, combustion flame oscillations, combustion flame extinction, heat release ratio, or flame temperature.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein providing at least one optical path adjacent to a flame region in the combustor comprises providing a beam splitter to spatially separate optical paths.
10. A system for controlling combustion parameters associated with a gas turbine combustor, the system comprising:
at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor;
one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region; and
at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photodetectors.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:
one or more optical filters operable to isolate spectral information associated with the light emission.
12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:
at least one lens operable to image at least a portion of light emission from the flame region.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one lens comprises moveable lens operable to variably adjust at least a field of view associated with the optical path.
14. The system of claim 10, further comprising:
at least one first optical filter, wherein the at least one first optical filter is in communication with at least one first photodetector.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:
at least one second optical filter, wherein the at least one second optical filter is in communication with at least one second photodetector.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one control device is operable to control the one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on signals from the at least one first photodetector and the at least one second photodetector.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters is operable to control at least one of fuel flow rate, fuel flow distribution, air/fuel ratio, combustion flame oscillations, combustion flame extinction, heat release ratio, or flame temperature.
18. The system of claim 10, further comprising:
at least one beam splitter operable to spatially separate light emission from the flame region.
19. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more photodetectors are responsive to at least a portion of the ultraviolet spectrum.
20. A gas turbine comprising:
a combustor;
at least one optical port adjacent to a flame region in the combustor;
one or more photodetectors in communication with the at least one optical port, and operable to detect at least a portion of light emission from the flame region; and
at least one control device operable to control one or more combustion parameters based at least in part on one or more signals from the one or more photodetectors.
US12/484,447 2009-06-15 2009-06-15 Optical sensors for combustion control Abandoned US20110008737A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/484,447 US20110008737A1 (en) 2009-06-15 2009-06-15 Optical sensors for combustion control
DE102010017195A DE102010017195A1 (en) 2009-06-15 2010-06-01 Optical sensors for combustion control
JP2010130598A JP2010286487A (en) 2009-06-15 2010-06-08 Optical sensor for controlling combustion
CH00933/10A CH701198A2 (en) 2009-06-15 2010-06-11 Optical sensors for combustion control.
CN2010102134727A CN101922731A (en) 2009-06-15 2010-06-13 The optical pickocff of control is used to burn

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/484,447 US20110008737A1 (en) 2009-06-15 2009-06-15 Optical sensors for combustion control

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110008737A1 true US20110008737A1 (en) 2011-01-13

Family

ID=43069988

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/484,447 Abandoned US20110008737A1 (en) 2009-06-15 2009-06-15 Optical sensors for combustion control

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20110008737A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2010286487A (en)
CN (1) CN101922731A (en)
CH (1) CH701198A2 (en)
DE (1) DE102010017195A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130273483A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-17 General Electric Company Flame sensor
US20150075170A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 General Electric Company Method and system for augmenting the detection reliability of secondary flame detectors in a gas turbine
CN104807191A (en) * 2014-01-26 2015-07-29 旺矽科技股份有限公司 Heating device for detecting temperature in use of photodetector and protection method thereof
US9377214B2 (en) 2014-01-21 2016-06-28 Mpi Corporation Heating device using photodetector to detect temperature and method for protecting the same
US10030871B2 (en) 2013-05-20 2018-07-24 Edwards Limited Combustion monitoring
US10088426B2 (en) * 2014-05-06 2018-10-02 United Technologies Corporation Chemiluminescence imaging system and method of monitoring a combustor flame of a turbine engine
US20180306118A1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2018-10-25 General Electric Company Turbomachine Combustor End Cover Assembly
US11092083B2 (en) 2017-02-10 2021-08-17 General Electric Company Pressure sensor assembly for a turbine engine
EP4242519A1 (en) * 2022-03-07 2023-09-13 Baker Hughes Holdings LLC Combustion quality spectrum

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2013061237A (en) * 2011-09-13 2013-04-04 Hino Motors Ltd Photographing device and photographing method
US9255526B2 (en) * 2012-08-23 2016-02-09 Siemens Energy, Inc. System and method for on line monitoring within a gas turbine combustor section
US9249737B2 (en) * 2013-02-26 2016-02-02 General Electric Company Methods and apparatus for rapid sensing of fuel wobbe index
KR20150034035A (en) * 2013-09-25 2015-04-02 한국생산기술연구원 An air fuel ratio instrumentation system including optical sensor
JP2015141057A (en) * 2014-01-28 2015-08-03 アズビル株式会社 flame detector
CN105651747B (en) * 2016-01-07 2019-02-01 浙江工业大学 It is a kind of for pinpoint capture flame radical fluorescence intensity measuring device
KR101782052B1 (en) * 2016-11-28 2017-09-27 한국생산기술연구원 An apparatus for monitoring the flame and a method for controlling the flame
KR101853307B1 (en) * 2017-03-02 2018-04-30 서울대학교산학협력단 Experimental apparatus for dynamics of non-premixed jet flame and method for experimenting dynamics of non-premixed jet flame using the same
ES2929188T3 (en) * 2018-12-05 2022-11-25 Vaillant Gmbh Procedure for regulating the mixture ratio of combustion air and fuel gas in a combustion process
KR102289029B1 (en) * 2019-10-28 2021-08-11 서울대학교산학협력단 Apparatus and method for combustion diagnostics using flame emission spectroscopy
DE102020132434A1 (en) 2020-12-07 2022-06-09 Vaillant Gmbh Burner arrangement for the combustion of fuel gas containing hydrogen and burner body
DE102021112034A1 (en) 2021-05-07 2022-11-10 Pilz Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for monitoring operation of a gas burner system and gas burner system
CN113915006A (en) * 2021-11-11 2022-01-11 西安热工研究院有限公司 Gas turbine combustion pressure pulsation control system with triple redundancy function
CN116286053B (en) * 2023-03-20 2023-09-05 上海市农业科学院 Intelligent control system based on biochar preparation

Citations (55)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4060980A (en) * 1975-11-19 1977-12-06 United Technologies Corporation Stall detector for a gas turbine engine
US4074104A (en) * 1974-12-19 1978-02-14 General Electric Company Opto-electronic position sensing method
US4630927A (en) * 1983-02-15 1986-12-23 General Electric Company Optical projector
US4639598A (en) * 1985-05-17 1987-01-27 Santa Barbara Research Center Fire sensor cross-correlator circuit and method
US4691196A (en) * 1984-03-23 1987-09-01 Santa Barbara Research Center Dual spectrum frequency responding fire sensor
US4695721A (en) * 1985-12-26 1987-09-22 General Electric Company Surface texture recognition using multi-directional scanning
US4701624A (en) * 1985-10-31 1987-10-20 Santa Barbara Research Center Fire sensor system utilizing optical fibers for remote sensing
US4771182A (en) * 1986-08-21 1988-09-13 General Electric Company Spurious electromagnetic energy discriminator for electro-optical inspection systems
JPH02157515A (en) * 1988-12-09 1990-06-18 Hitachi Ltd Spectral display device for flame of gas turbine combustor
JPH02242013A (en) * 1989-03-14 1990-09-26 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Combustion control method for burner
JPH03207912A (en) * 1990-01-08 1991-09-11 Hitachi Ltd Flame spectroscopic image display for gas turbine combustion device
US5162658A (en) * 1990-04-20 1992-11-10 Thorn Emi Plc Thermal detection arrangement having a plurality of optical filter devices
US5257496A (en) * 1992-05-05 1993-11-02 General Electric Company Combustion control for producing low NOx emissions through use of flame spectroscopy
US5286947A (en) * 1992-09-08 1994-02-15 General Electric Company Apparatus and method for monitoring material removal from a workpiece
US5349850A (en) * 1992-11-19 1994-09-27 General Electric Company Instrumentation light probe holder
US5384467A (en) * 1992-10-16 1995-01-24 AVL Gesellschaft fur Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Messtechnik m.b.H. Prof.Dr.Dr.h.c. Hans List Optoelectronic measuring device for monitoring a combustion chamber
US5394005A (en) * 1992-05-05 1995-02-28 General Electric Company Silicon carbide photodiode with improved short wavelength response and very low leakage current
US5487185A (en) * 1992-02-24 1996-01-23 Nokia Telecommunications Oy Method for extending mean time between failures of transmitters used in a cellular system, by intermittently shifting among them which is transmitting a control channel versus which is transmitting a traffic carrier
US5544478A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-08-13 General Electric Company Optical sensing of combustion dynamics
US5578828A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-11-26 General Electric Company Flame sensor window coating compensation
US5589682A (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-31 General Electric Company Photocurrent detector circuit with high sensitivity, fast response time, and large dynamic range
US5608515A (en) * 1995-04-20 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Double window for protecting optical sensors from hazardous environments
US5649133A (en) * 1995-06-13 1997-07-15 Apple Computer, Inc. Method for collision avoidance for user interface for object with multiple handles
US5659133A (en) * 1996-04-22 1997-08-19 Astropower, Inc. High-temperature optical combustion chamber sensor
US5755819A (en) * 1996-05-24 1998-05-26 General Electric Company Photodiode array for analysis of multi-burner gas combustors
JPH11166722A (en) * 1997-12-02 1999-06-22 The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute Of Japan Apparatus for preventing incomplete combustion
US5978525A (en) * 1996-06-24 1999-11-02 General Electric Company Fiber optic sensors for gas turbine control
US6135760A (en) * 1996-06-19 2000-10-24 Meggitt Avionics, Inc. Method and apparatus for characterizing a combustion flame
US6158261A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-12-12 General Electric Company Mill for producing axially symmetric parts
US6239434B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2001-05-29 General Electric Company Solid state optical spectrometer for combustion flame temperature measurement
EP1108956A2 (en) * 1999-12-13 2001-06-20 IMIT S.p.A. Device for combustion control
US20010009268A1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2001-07-26 General Electric Company Optical spectrometer and method for combustion flame temperature determination
US6350988B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2002-02-26 General Electric Company Optical spectrometer and method for combustion flame temperature determination
US6473705B1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-10-29 General Electric Company System and method for direct non-intrusive measurement of corrected airflow
US20020178730A1 (en) * 2001-04-17 2002-12-05 Christopher Ganz Gas turbine
US6599028B1 (en) * 1997-06-17 2003-07-29 General Electric Company Fiber optic sensors for gas turbine control
US20030152307A1 (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-08-14 Drasek William A. Von Apparatus and methods for launching and receiving a broad wavelength range source
US6621060B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2003-09-16 Photonics Research Ontario Autofocus feedback positioning system for laser processing
US6710878B1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2004-03-23 General Electric Company In-line particulate detector
US20040089810A1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2004-05-13 General Electric Compamy System and method for optical monitoring of a combustion flame
US6784430B2 (en) * 1999-02-08 2004-08-31 General Electric Company Interdigitated flame sensor, system and method
US6838741B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2005-01-04 General Electtric Company Avalanche photodiode for use in harsh environments
US7151872B1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2006-12-19 General Electric Company Method, system and module for monitoring a power generating system
US7285433B2 (en) * 2003-11-06 2007-10-23 General Electric Company Integrated devices with optical and electrical isolation and method for making
US20070281260A1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2007-12-06 Fossil Power Systems Inc. Flame detection device and method of detecting flame
US20070296966A1 (en) * 2006-06-27 2007-12-27 General Electric Company Laser plasma spectroscopy apparatus and method for in situ depth profiling
US20080076080A1 (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-03-27 Tailai Hu Method and apparatus for optimizing high fgr rate combustion with laser-based diagnostic technology
US20080083228A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2008-04-10 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Apparatus, system and method for observing combustion conditions in a gas turbine engine
US20080289342A1 (en) * 2005-11-04 2008-11-27 Zolo Technologies, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Spectroscopic Measurements in the Combustion Zone of a Gas Turbine Engine
US20090017406A1 (en) * 2007-06-14 2009-01-15 Farias Fuentes Oscar Francisco Combustion control system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices
US7489835B1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-02-10 General Electric Company Sensing system with fiber gas sensor
JP2009103630A (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-05-14 Nippon Soken Inc Liquid membrane thickness measurement device and controller for internal combustion engine
US7650050B2 (en) * 2005-12-08 2010-01-19 Alstom Technology Ltd. Optical sensor device for local analysis of a combustion process in a combustor of a thermal power plant
US7952064B2 (en) * 2006-11-29 2011-05-31 Abb Research Ltd Device and method for processing and/or analyzing image information representing radiation
US8018590B2 (en) * 2008-10-23 2011-09-13 General Electric Company Three-dimensional optical sensor and system for combustion sensing and control

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07133927A (en) * 1993-11-09 1995-05-23 Hitachi Ltd Combustion unit controller
JP3800473B2 (en) * 1998-12-17 2006-07-26 株式会社山武 Combustion control device monitoring system, combustion control device and remote monitoring device
US7966834B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2011-06-28 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Apparatus for observing combustion conditions in a gas turbine engine
JP2007078313A (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-03-29 Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd Flame detection device
CN201237240Y (en) * 2008-07-08 2009-05-13 徐州燃控科技股份有限公司 Intelligent image flame detection system for combustion chamber

Patent Citations (66)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4074104A (en) * 1974-12-19 1978-02-14 General Electric Company Opto-electronic position sensing method
US4060980A (en) * 1975-11-19 1977-12-06 United Technologies Corporation Stall detector for a gas turbine engine
US4630927A (en) * 1983-02-15 1986-12-23 General Electric Company Optical projector
US4691196A (en) * 1984-03-23 1987-09-01 Santa Barbara Research Center Dual spectrum frequency responding fire sensor
US4639598A (en) * 1985-05-17 1987-01-27 Santa Barbara Research Center Fire sensor cross-correlator circuit and method
US4701624A (en) * 1985-10-31 1987-10-20 Santa Barbara Research Center Fire sensor system utilizing optical fibers for remote sensing
US4695721A (en) * 1985-12-26 1987-09-22 General Electric Company Surface texture recognition using multi-directional scanning
US4771182A (en) * 1986-08-21 1988-09-13 General Electric Company Spurious electromagnetic energy discriminator for electro-optical inspection systems
JPH02157515A (en) * 1988-12-09 1990-06-18 Hitachi Ltd Spectral display device for flame of gas turbine combustor
JPH02242013A (en) * 1989-03-14 1990-09-26 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Combustion control method for burner
JPH03207912A (en) * 1990-01-08 1991-09-11 Hitachi Ltd Flame spectroscopic image display for gas turbine combustion device
US5162658A (en) * 1990-04-20 1992-11-10 Thorn Emi Plc Thermal detection arrangement having a plurality of optical filter devices
US5487185A (en) * 1992-02-24 1996-01-23 Nokia Telecommunications Oy Method for extending mean time between failures of transmitters used in a cellular system, by intermittently shifting among them which is transmitting a control channel versus which is transmitting a traffic carrier
US5257496A (en) * 1992-05-05 1993-11-02 General Electric Company Combustion control for producing low NOx emissions through use of flame spectroscopy
US5394005A (en) * 1992-05-05 1995-02-28 General Electric Company Silicon carbide photodiode with improved short wavelength response and very low leakage current
US5286947A (en) * 1992-09-08 1994-02-15 General Electric Company Apparatus and method for monitoring material removal from a workpiece
US5384467A (en) * 1992-10-16 1995-01-24 AVL Gesellschaft fur Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Messtechnik m.b.H. Prof.Dr.Dr.h.c. Hans List Optoelectronic measuring device for monitoring a combustion chamber
US5349850A (en) * 1992-11-19 1994-09-27 General Electric Company Instrumentation light probe holder
US5544478A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-08-13 General Electric Company Optical sensing of combustion dynamics
US5578828A (en) * 1994-11-15 1996-11-26 General Electric Company Flame sensor window coating compensation
US5608515A (en) * 1995-04-20 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Double window for protecting optical sensors from hazardous environments
US5589682A (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-31 General Electric Company Photocurrent detector circuit with high sensitivity, fast response time, and large dynamic range
US5649133A (en) * 1995-06-13 1997-07-15 Apple Computer, Inc. Method for collision avoidance for user interface for object with multiple handles
US5659133A (en) * 1996-04-22 1997-08-19 Astropower, Inc. High-temperature optical combustion chamber sensor
US5755819A (en) * 1996-05-24 1998-05-26 General Electric Company Photodiode array for analysis of multi-burner gas combustors
US6135760A (en) * 1996-06-19 2000-10-24 Meggitt Avionics, Inc. Method and apparatus for characterizing a combustion flame
US5978525A (en) * 1996-06-24 1999-11-02 General Electric Company Fiber optic sensors for gas turbine control
US6978074B2 (en) * 1997-06-17 2005-12-20 General Electric Company Fiber optic sensors for gas turbine control
US6599028B1 (en) * 1997-06-17 2003-07-29 General Electric Company Fiber optic sensors for gas turbine control
US6158261A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-12-12 General Electric Company Mill for producing axially symmetric parts
JPH11166722A (en) * 1997-12-02 1999-06-22 The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute Of Japan Apparatus for preventing incomplete combustion
US6350988B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2002-02-26 General Electric Company Optical spectrometer and method for combustion flame temperature determination
US7112796B2 (en) * 1999-02-08 2006-09-26 General Electric Company System and method for optical monitoring of a combustion flame
US20010009268A1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2001-07-26 General Electric Company Optical spectrometer and method for combustion flame temperature determination
US6239434B1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2001-05-29 General Electric Company Solid state optical spectrometer for combustion flame temperature measurement
US6818897B2 (en) * 1999-02-08 2004-11-16 General Electric Company Photodiode device and method for fabrication
US6784430B2 (en) * 1999-02-08 2004-08-31 General Electric Company Interdigitated flame sensor, system and method
US20040089810A1 (en) * 1999-02-08 2004-05-13 General Electric Compamy System and method for optical monitoring of a combustion flame
US6646265B2 (en) * 1999-02-08 2003-11-11 General Electric Company Optical spectrometer and method for combustion flame temperature determination
US6710878B1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2004-03-23 General Electric Company In-line particulate detector
EP1108956A2 (en) * 1999-12-13 2001-06-20 IMIT S.p.A. Device for combustion control
US6473705B1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-10-29 General Electric Company System and method for direct non-intrusive measurement of corrected airflow
US20020178730A1 (en) * 2001-04-17 2002-12-05 Christopher Ganz Gas turbine
US6775986B2 (en) * 2001-04-17 2004-08-17 Alstom Technology Ltd Gas turbine and method for suppressing azimuthal fluctuation modes in a gas turbine
US20030152307A1 (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-08-14 Drasek William A. Von Apparatus and methods for launching and receiving a broad wavelength range source
US7005645B2 (en) * 2001-11-30 2006-02-28 Air Liquide America L.P. Apparatus and methods for launching and receiving a broad wavelength range source
US6621060B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2003-09-16 Photonics Research Ontario Autofocus feedback positioning system for laser processing
US6838741B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2005-01-04 General Electtric Company Avalanche photodiode for use in harsh environments
US7002156B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2006-02-21 General Electric Company Detection system including avalanche photodiode for use in harsh environments
US7285433B2 (en) * 2003-11-06 2007-10-23 General Electric Company Integrated devices with optical and electrical isolation and method for making
US20080083228A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2008-04-10 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Apparatus, system and method for observing combustion conditions in a gas turbine engine
US20080289342A1 (en) * 2005-11-04 2008-11-27 Zolo Technologies, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Spectroscopic Measurements in the Combustion Zone of a Gas Turbine Engine
US7151872B1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2006-12-19 General Electric Company Method, system and module for monitoring a power generating system
US7469077B2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2008-12-23 General Electric Company Method, system and module for monitoring a power generating system
US7400789B2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2008-07-15 General Electric Company Method, system and module for monitoring a power generating system
US20080218758A1 (en) * 2005-11-22 2008-09-11 General Electric Company Method, system and module for monitoring a power generating system
US7650050B2 (en) * 2005-12-08 2010-01-19 Alstom Technology Ltd. Optical sensor device for local analysis of a combustion process in a combustor of a thermal power plant
US20070281260A1 (en) * 2006-05-12 2007-12-06 Fossil Power Systems Inc. Flame detection device and method of detecting flame
US7440097B2 (en) * 2006-06-27 2008-10-21 General Electric Company Laser plasma spectroscopy apparatus and method for in situ depth profiling
US20070296966A1 (en) * 2006-06-27 2007-12-27 General Electric Company Laser plasma spectroscopy apparatus and method for in situ depth profiling
US20080076080A1 (en) * 2006-09-22 2008-03-27 Tailai Hu Method and apparatus for optimizing high fgr rate combustion with laser-based diagnostic technology
US7952064B2 (en) * 2006-11-29 2011-05-31 Abb Research Ltd Device and method for processing and/or analyzing image information representing radiation
US20090017406A1 (en) * 2007-06-14 2009-01-15 Farias Fuentes Oscar Francisco Combustion control system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices
JP2009103630A (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-05-14 Nippon Soken Inc Liquid membrane thickness measurement device and controller for internal combustion engine
US7489835B1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-02-10 General Electric Company Sensing system with fiber gas sensor
US8018590B2 (en) * 2008-10-23 2011-09-13 General Electric Company Three-dimensional optical sensor and system for combustion sensing and control

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130273483A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-17 General Electric Company Flame sensor
US9863813B2 (en) * 2012-04-13 2018-01-09 General Electric Company Flame sensor
US10030871B2 (en) 2013-05-20 2018-07-24 Edwards Limited Combustion monitoring
US20150075170A1 (en) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-19 General Electric Company Method and system for augmenting the detection reliability of secondary flame detectors in a gas turbine
US9377214B2 (en) 2014-01-21 2016-06-28 Mpi Corporation Heating device using photodetector to detect temperature and method for protecting the same
CN104807191A (en) * 2014-01-26 2015-07-29 旺矽科技股份有限公司 Heating device for detecting temperature in use of photodetector and protection method thereof
US10088426B2 (en) * 2014-05-06 2018-10-02 United Technologies Corporation Chemiluminescence imaging system and method of monitoring a combustor flame of a turbine engine
US11092083B2 (en) 2017-02-10 2021-08-17 General Electric Company Pressure sensor assembly for a turbine engine
US20180306118A1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2018-10-25 General Electric Company Turbomachine Combustor End Cover Assembly
EP3396247A1 (en) * 2017-04-25 2018-10-31 General Electric Company Turbomachine combustor end cover assembly
US10690057B2 (en) * 2017-04-25 2020-06-23 General Electric Company Turbomachine combustor end cover assembly with flame detector sight tube collinear with a tube of a bundled tube fuel nozzle
EP4242519A1 (en) * 2022-03-07 2023-09-13 Baker Hughes Holdings LLC Combustion quality spectrum

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102010017195A1 (en) 2010-12-16
CH701198A2 (en) 2010-12-15
CN101922731A (en) 2010-12-22
JP2010286487A (en) 2010-12-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20110008737A1 (en) Optical sensors for combustion control
US8456634B2 (en) Optical interrogation sensors for combustion control
CA2714544C (en) Systems and methods for closed loop emissions control
EP2180311B1 (en) Optical sensor and method for three-dimensional combustion sensing and combustion control system
EP2054668B1 (en) Camera-based flame detector
US8070482B2 (en) Combustion control system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices
CA1090442A (en) Combustion monitoring and control system
US4934926A (en) Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling burner operating air equivalence ratio
JP5612119B2 (en) Optical flame sensor
EP2223016A1 (en) Flame scanning device and method for its operation
US20010035952A1 (en) Method for monitoring an optical system having a front lens disposed immediately at a combustion chamber, and a device for carrying out the method
KR101385903B1 (en) Sensor utilizing band pass filters
JP6979704B2 (en) Temperature measuring device and temperature measuring method
US20170322085A1 (en) Optical measurement method and system
WO2018217220A1 (en) Detector for low temperature transmission pyrometry
KR101782052B1 (en) An apparatus for monitoring the flame and a method for controlling the flame
EP3229005B1 (en) Optical detection device
JP2005164128A (en) Combustion control method and its system
JP2018036227A (en) Gas sensor unit and gas detection device
JP2005016839A (en) Flame detecting device
JP2022077260A (en) Flame detector, boiler, flame detection method and combustion control method
KR20060124114A (en) Method for controlling multistage combustion system
JPH01318929A (en) Spectral imaging apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MCMANUS, KEITH ROBERT;DAVIS, LEWIS BERKLEY, JR.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090601 TO 20090605;REEL/FRAME:022825/0731

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION