JP2000180349A - Monitoring apparatus for soot or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a monitoring apparatus which is installed easily at a site and by which soot, dust or the like can be detected precisely and quickly, by a method wherein the soot, the dust or the like which is generated or stays in a prescribed space position is irradiated with light, and the brightness of a screen imaged by an imaging means is compared with a threshold value. SOLUTION: A melting furnace 2 which is installed on a floor 1 discharges soot G or the like upward from its furnace top 4, and the discharged soot G or the like rises so as to stay in a space 8 which is sandwiched between a building 6 and the furnace top 4. In this monitoring apparatus, the soot G or the like is irraidated with light L, it is imaged by a CCD camera 14, and an image is sent to a controller 16. In the controller 16, the light is converted into an electric charge by a CCD element, and every pixel is decided as a bright pixel which displays the soot G or the like irradiated with the light L or as a dark pixel which displays the space 8. Then, the brightness of every pixel in a screen is compared with a preset threshold value. When the total number of dark pixels at the threshold value or lower becomes a preset value or lower, an electric signal is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for monitoring dust, etc., which can accurately and quickly detect dust, soot, dust, dust or the like (hereinafter referred to as dust) generated from various facilities in a factory or the like. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a factory in which facilities such as a melting furnace and a casting apparatus are installed, dust and the like discharged from the facilities are discharged to the outside from a factory building via a dust collector. Also,
It is also practiced to cover the surroundings of each of the above facilities with a shield, and to directly send dust and the like from the shield to a dust collector outside the building. However, each of the above-mentioned facilities does not always discharge dust and the like. For example, in a melting furnace, dust and the like are intensively discharged at the time of charging a raw material or tapping steel. Therefore, it is necessary to operate the dust collector efficiently when dust and the like are discharged.

In order to quickly detect the timing at which the dust and the like are discharged, various techniques have been studied. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a melting furnace 32 on a floor 31 for secondary melting of metal discharges dust and the like G from a furnace top 34 thereof. The discharged dust and the like G are
And stay in the space 38 interposed between the melting furnaces 32. There is a technique for installing the infrared thermometer 30 toward a predetermined position in the space 38. According to such a technique, the generated high-temperature dust and the like G can be immediately detected simply by installing the thermometer 30 directly above the melting furnace 31. However, since the dust and the like G that has stayed to some extent after being generated is cooled, the position where the dust and the like G stay is not always at a high temperature. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately detect the dust and the like G in relation to the generated amount.

[0004] Further, as shown in FIG.
Across the space 38 in which the dust and the like G discharged from
As shown in the figure, there is a technique in which a spotlight 42 is installed obliquely upward on the left side to irradiate the display panel 44 and a CCD camera 46 is installed on the right side toward the display panel 44. According to this, the CCD camera 4 determines how much a figure serving as an index on the display plate 44 cannot be detected by the dust or the like G.
6, the amount of the accumulated dust and the like G can be detected. However, this technology does not
It is necessary to keep the color of the figure above constant,
Since the positions of the light 42, the display board 44, and the camera 46 are near the ceiling of the building 36, there is a problem that their installation is complicated and maintenance thereof requires much labor.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and can be easily installed on site.
An object of the present invention is to provide a dust and the like monitoring device capable of accurately and quickly detecting dust and the like and simplifying maintenance.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses a light emitting source such as a spotlight and a photographing means such as a CCD camera for detecting dust and the like, and furthermore, uses a photographing means such as a CCD camera and the like on a captured screen. This is based on the idea of detecting the generation and amount of dust and the like from the brightness (darkness) of the pixel. That is, the monitoring device for dust and the like of the present invention includes a light emitting unit that emits light to dust, soot, dust, dust, or the like that is generated or stays at a predetermined space position in a building or the like, and the dust that is irradiated with light. The brightness of each pixel is compared with a threshold value on a captured image with a photographing unit such as a CCD camera for photographing the image, and the total number of pixels below or above the threshold value is predetermined. And control means for outputting an electric signal when the value becomes equal to or less than the set value or exceeds the set value.

[0007] According to this, since the dust and the like irradiated with light correspond to the brightness and darkness of each pixel in the imaged image, the occurrence and the amount of the dust and the like can be detected accurately and quickly. it can. In addition, the light emitting source and the photographing means can be easily installed near the floor in the building, and the maintenance thereof can be simplified. Note that “below or above the threshold” and “below or above the set value” are merely expression examples of the binarization method. Or more "or" less than the set value or more than the set value ".

The control means can automatically switch a plurality of screens in which the set values of the number of pixels are different from each other in order, and output an electric signal for each screen.
A monitoring device for dust and the like, which further includes a converter such as a sequencer for converting all of these electric signals into analog, is also included. According to this, in a plurality of screens targeting the same dust and the like, the total number of dark or bright pixels is counted in parallel based on a threshold value, a digital electric signal is output, and these are converted into analog signals. Therefore, the amount of generated dust and the amount of accumulated dust can be detected accurately and with good timing.

Further, there is also provided a dust-monitoring monitoring device wherein the threshold value of the number of pixels on the screen of the control means can be automatically switched between daytime and nighttime by sunlight detecting means installed outdoors. It is. According to this, it is possible to correct the difference in ambient brightness between daytime and nighttime, to eliminate the difference between daytime and nighttime due to seasons, and to always accurately detect dust and the like. Also, a monitor such as a monitor that displays an image of an electric signal that has been converted into an analog signal on a screen by a converter such as the sequencer, or a recording device that outputs the image to paper or a magnetic recording medium or the like, further includes a monitoring device for dust and the like. included. According to this, the amount of generated dust and the like and the amount of the retained dust and the like can be accurately displayed or recorded in a time-series manner in substantially the same form as that in the visual state.

[0010] In addition, an alarm generator is operated according to an electric signal output from a single screen or a part of a plurality of screens in the control means, and / or
A device for monitoring dust and the like that operates the dust collector for the dust and the like or raises and lowers the operation level of the dust collector is also included.
According to this, according to the amount of generation and retention of dust and the like,
It is possible to immediately notify the surrounding workers and the like with an alarm, operate the dust collector in a timely manner, adjust the operation level, and achieve efficient operation of the dust collector and energy saving. In this case, an instruction to the alarm generator or the dust collector can be made from any of control means such as a controller or a converter such as a sequencer.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a dust monitoring apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In the illustration, floor 1
The melting furnace 2 installed above discharges dust and the like G upward from the furnace top 4 when charging scrap or the like or tapping molten steel. The discharged dust and the like G rises and stays in the space 8 between the building 6 and the furnace top 4. Monitoring device 10 of the present invention
Is a halogen lamp that irradiates light L to the dust and the like G
(Light emitting source) 12 and a CCD camera (photographing means) 14 for capturing dust and the like G irradiated with light L. If the lamp 12 and the camera 14 can irradiate the dust L or the like with the light L, or can capture the dust D or the like, the lamp 12 and the camera 14 are installed at an arbitrary position such as near the floor 1 in the building 6. The installation position is not limited near the ceiling.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image of dust and the like G captured by the CCD camera 14 is
It is sent to the controller (control means) 16 of the D camera 14. The controller 16 converts each pixel into a bright pixel that captures the dust or the like G irradiated with the light L or a dark pixel that captures the space 8 on the screen that captures the image of the dust or the like G by light-to-charge conversion by the CCD element. As described later, the controller 16 compares the brightness of each pixel in the screen with a preset threshold value, and determines that the total number of dark pixels below the threshold value is equal to or less than the preset value set in the screen. When it becomes
That is, when the dust or the like G is generated or stays for a certain degree or more, an electric signal is output.

The range of the brightness (darkness) of the target dust or the like G is grasped in advance, and the threshold value on the screen of the controller 16 falls within the range. As described later, the screen of the controller 16 can be automatically switched to a plurality of screens having the above-mentioned set values different from each other, and the total number of dark pixels below the threshold value is counted in parallel for each screen. A digital electric signal is output in comparison with each set value. Based on these, dust etc. G
Quantitatively can be quickly and accurately detected.

The electric signal transmitted from the controller 16 is transmitted to a sequencer (converter) 20 via a cable 17 in FIG. The sequencer 20 is a digital electric signal for each screen transmitted from the controller 16.
(ON) The whole signal is converted into a time-series analog signal. The image of the analog signal is displayed on the screen of the monitor 22 via the cable 21 in FIG. The display based on the analog signal is a pattern that approximates the appearance and appearance of the dust or the like G to a human eye. The analog signal can be sequentially recorded on recording paper, or can be stored on various magnetic media or the like by a recording unit (not shown).

Therefore, when the dust or the like G is generated at a certain level or more and stays there, an alarm sound is output from the speaker (alarm generator) 24 in FIG. It can be instructed to operate the dust collector that discharges and purifies the dust and the like G or to increase the operation level. Thus, the dust G
In addition to being able to quantitatively and accurately detect the occurrence / retention status of dust, the dust collector can be operated with good timing, and the operating efficiency of the dust collector can be increased. Incidentally, reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1 denotes an illuminometer (sunlight detecting means) installed outdoors.
And absorbs the change in brightness of the space 8 between daytime and nighttime. That is, the illuminometer 18 automatically switches the threshold level on each screen of the controller 16 via the cables 19 and 17 according to the presence or absence of sunlight and the illuminance. This makes it possible to stabilize the detection accuracy of the dust and the like G without distinction between day and night.

FIG. 2A shows a plurality of screens S1 to S8 which are automatically switched by the controller 16. The screens S1 to S8 are obtained by dividing the degree of black and white into eight stages, and are automatically switched continuously in a sequence of the screens S1 → S8 within a short time in seconds. In each screen Sn, bright pixels that capture the dust and the like G irradiated with the light L and dark pixels that capture the space 8 are mixed. Below threshold in each screen Sn
A comparison is made as to whether or not the total number of (less than) relatively dark pixels is equal to or less than (less than) a predetermined set value for each image Sn surface. That is, the black side lower than the threshold is used as the judgment base.

The total number of pixels of each screen Sn is 262,144
(512 × 512), for example, the screen S
1 are set to 8000, the screen S2 is set to 20,000, the screen S3 is set to 40,000,..., And the screen S8 is set to 240,000. Then, for each screen Sn, the total number of pixels equal to or less than (less than) the threshold value is equal to or less than the set value.
In the case of (less than), an electric signal (ON) for flowing a current is output. Alternatively, an electric signal (OFF) for stopping the supply current may be output when the total number of pixels equal to or less than (less than) the threshold value exceeds the set value.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when one dust or the like G soars into the space 8 and stays for a certain period of time, the total number of pixels having a darkness equal to or less than the threshold value on the screens S1 to S8. Is compared with each set value, and if it is equal to or less than each set value, an electric signal (ON) is output. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, a digital electric signal (ON) is output in time series for each screen Sn. In FIG. 2 (B),
The number of dark pixels is not small as it approaches the top screen S1.
(There are many bright pixels), the amount of dust and the like G increases, and the number of dark pixels increases (the number of bright pixels decreases) and the amount of the dust and the like G decreases as approaching the lower end screen S8.

In time series, the electric signal (ON) starts to be output from the black screen S8, and as the amount of dust and the like G increases, the electric signals (ON) are sequentially turned on from each screen Sn closer to the white screen S1. ) Is output. That is, the screens S1 to S8
Looking at the output situation, a substantially Gaussian curve pattern is exhibited when the amount of dust or the like G temporarily increases and then diffuses.
In the controller 16, a white color higher than the threshold value may be used as a judgment base. in this case,
The screen S1 has 240,000 screens, the screen S2 has 190,000 screens, and the screen S
3 are set to 170,000,..., And the screen S8 is set to 8000, and the set value of each screen Sn is determined in the opposite direction. Then, for each screen Sn, when the total number of pixels that are equal to or more than the threshold value or exceed the threshold value is less than (less than) the set value or more than (more than) the set value, an electric signal (ON / OFF) is output. I do.

FIG. 2C shows a digital electric signal (ON) of each of the screens S1 to S8 output from the controller 16.
From the digital to analog (D
/ A) An image Z displayed on the screen of the monitor 22 shown in FIG. 1 after the conversion. The vertical axis in FIG. 2 (C) indicates a voltage V proportional to the amount of G such as dust. Such an image Z is a dust and the like G that a person feels when the person monitors the dust and the like G visually.
Almost corresponds to the change in the amount of Since the image Z is displayed in real time with the generation of the dust and the like G, the observer can immediately predict the tendency of the dust and the like G to change. Therefore, since the generated and accumulated dust and the like G are purified and discharged, it is possible to immediately take environmental measures such as raising the operation level of a dust collector (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows an application form of the monitoring apparatus 10. The melting furnace 2 in the building 6 is covered with a dedicated shield 5. The shield 5 has a structure in which, for example, only the ceiling portion is opened when a raw material is charged. For example, when the raw material is charged into the melting furnace 2 by opening the ceiling portion of the shield 5, dust and the like G soar and stay in the space 8 between the shield 5 and the building 6 as shown in the figure. Further, dust and the like G stay in the shield 5 in a closed state. Therefore, the monitoring device 10 is installed in the same manner as described above, and the sequencer 20 and the dust collector 26 for the inside of the building 6 and the dust collector 28 exclusively for the inside of the shield 5 are linked. It is also possible to separately install the lamp 12 and the CCD camera 14 in the shield 5 so that the dust and the like G can easily stay in the shield 5.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the dust collector 26 is connected to the ceiling of the building 6 via a duct 25, and a blower fan F1 is arranged in the middle of the duct 25. The dust collector 28 is connected to the shield 5 via a duct 27, and a blower fan F <b> 2 is arranged in the middle of the duct 27. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the dust or the like G soars and stays in the space 8 between the shielding body 5 and the building 6, the image taken by the CCD camera 14 is transmitted to the controller 16 in the same manner as described above. The total number of pixels below the threshold value on the screens S1 to S8 is compared with each set value,
A plurality of digital electric signals corresponding to the results are output. Such a signal is subjected to analog conversion in the sequencer 20.

At this time, for example, the image Z having a voltage higher than a predetermined value
Is formed, the sequencer 20 connects the cable 29
a, the blower fan F1, of the dust collectors 26, 28 via the 29b
An instruction is issued to rotate the motor (not shown) of F2 or to increase the rotation speed. Accordingly, when the dust and the like G accumulate to some extent, the dust collectors 26 and 28 can be automatically operated in a timely manner. can do. Accordingly, as the dust and the like G starts to stay to some extent, the dust can be quickly and efficiently discharged by the dust collectors 26 and 28, and the operating efficiency of the dust collectors 26 and 28 can be improved. The controller 16
In the case where the electric signal (ON) is output from a certain screen Sn, the controller 16 directly sends the dust collectors 26, 2
It is also possible to issue an instruction to increase the number of rotations or the number of rotations to the motors 8 for driving the fans F1 and F2.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the light emitting source is not limited to the halogen lamp 12, but may be another incandescent lamp having a wavelength or color according to the type of dust and the like, or a discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp that emits a light trace of a required shape. It is also possible. Also, the photographing means is not limited to the CCD camera,
Various electronic cameras and digital cameras can be applied according to the type of dust and the like and the installation location. Further, the control means is not limited to a controller for a CCD camera,
There is no particular limitation as long as it includes a light-to-charge conversion element and has the same image processing function. Also, the converter is not limited to the sequencer, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a D / A converter. Alternatively, a computer (including a personal computer) that includes a D / A conversion function and can perform each function of the control means in parallel can also be used. still,
The present invention can be applied not only to dust and the like in a building, but also to dust and the like outdoors in various stock yards, waste disposal sites including garbage, and the like.

[0025]

According to the apparatus for monitoring dust and the like according to the present invention described above, dust and the like irradiated with light correspond to the brightness and darkness of each pixel in the imaged screen, so that dust and the like are generated. And its amount can be detected accurately and quickly. In addition, since the light emitting source and the photographing means can be easily installed near the floor in the building, maintenance can be simplified. According to the monitoring apparatus for dust and the like according to claim 2, the total number of pixels below or above the threshold value is counted in parallel on a plurality of screens for the same dust and the like, and each of them is digitally operated. Since the signals are output and the signals are converted into analog signals, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of generated dust and the amount of accumulated dust and the like with good timing.

Further, according to the apparatus for monitoring dust and the like according to the third aspect, the difference in ambient brightness between daytime and nighttime can be corrected, and the difference between daytime and nighttime depending on the season can be eliminated. Etc. can be detected. in addition,
According to the monitoring device for dust and the like according to claim 5, according to the generation of the dust and the like and the amount of the dust and the like, an alarm is immediately made known to surrounding workers or the like, or the dust collector is operated in a timely manner or the operation level is determined. It can be adjusted, and efficient operation and energy saving of the dust collector can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a device for monitoring dust and the like according to the present invention.

2A is a schematic diagram showing automatic switching of a plurality of screens in the controller of the monitoring device in FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing electric signals output from each screen, and FIG. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an image on a monitor obtained by converting each electric signal of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an application form of a device for monitoring dust and the like in the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing a conventional device for detecting dust and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 monitoring device 12 halogen lamp (light emitting source) 14 CCD camera (photographing means) 16 controller (control means) 18 illuminometer (sunlight detection) Means) 20 Sequencer (Converter) 22 Monitor 24 Speaker (Alarm Generator) 26, 28 Dust Collector G Dust, etc. L ... Light S1 ~ S8 ... Screen ON ... Electrical signal Z ... Image

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting means for irradiating light to dust, soot, dust, dust or the like generated or staying at a predetermined space position in a building or the like, and a CCD for photographing the dust or the like irradiated with light.
The brightness of each pixel is compared with a threshold value on a captured image with a photographing means such as a camera, and the total number of pixels below or above the threshold value is less than or equal to a predetermined set value. And a control means for outputting an electric signal when it becomes superfluous. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means automatically switches a plurality of screens in which the set values of the number of pixels are different from each other in order,
The apparatus for monitoring dust and the like according to claim 1, further comprising a converter such as a sequencer that outputs an electric signal for each screen and converts the electric signal into an analog signal. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a threshold level of the number of pixels on the screen of said control means can be automatically switched between daytime and nighttime by sunlight detecting means installed outdoors. 3. The monitoring device for dust and the like according to 1 or 2. 4. A monitor for displaying an image of an electric signal, which has been converted into an analog signal by a converter such as the sequencer, on a screen or a recording means for outputting the image to paper or a magnetic recording medium. The dust and the like monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3. 5. An alarm generator is operated based on an electric signal output by a single screen or a partial screen among a plurality of screens in said control means, and / or said dust or the like is targeted. The dust collector or the like according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dust collector is operated or its operation level is raised or lowered.