EP4102136A1 - Method for flame monitoring for a heater, computer program, storage medium, regulation and control device, heater and use of a ratio - Google Patents

Abstract

The method according to the invention for flame monitoring of a heating device (1) can comprise at least the following steps: a) detecting a first flame signal of ultraviolet radiation from a flame of the heating device (1), b) detecting a second flame signal of infrared radiation from a flame of the heating device ( 1), c) determining a ratio of the first and second flame signal, d) detecting a fault in the flame monitoring of the heater. In principle, the proposed method can be carried out as part of an ignition process and/or during operation of a heater (1) in order to carry out a verification to ensure the flame monitoring of the heater (1), in particular a check for the influence of extraneous light on the flame monitoring.

Description

The invention relates to a method for flame monitoring of a heating device, a computer program, a regulation and control device, a storage medium, a heating device and a use.

Flame monitoring of a heater makes sense to prevent unburned fuel from escaping. It is also known to use a signal from a flame monitoring system in order to suitably adjust the mixture of fuel and combustion air.

Various possibilities for monitoring the flame of a heating device are known, for example measuring an ionization current of the flame or detecting the flame using UV (ultraviolet) or IR (heat) radiation. In the case of heaters that are set up for burning hydrogen, flame monitoring by means of an ionization current often cannot be carried out with sufficient certainty or reliability, because the combustion of hydrogen does not produce enough ions for a measurable ionization current.

For example in the EP 3 663 646 A1 a system for monitoring a flame of a heating device is proposed, in which a first ionization signal and a second ionization signal of a flame as well as a first radiation signal and a second radiation signal are used to monitor the flame.

the US 2014/0212824 A1 discloses a method, in particular computer-aided, for flame detection of a burner. Information about a used Burner and a fuel are used to ensure safe flame monitoring.

However, it has been shown that, for example, the influence of extraneous light sources, in particular light penetrating from outside the heater, can lead to a malfunction of the flame monitoring system. The influence of extraneous light sources can hardly or not at all be counteracted by the redundant use of several sensors, provided that all sensors used are subject to this extraneous light influence.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the invention to propose a method for flame monitoring of a heating device which at least partially overcomes the problems of the prior art described. In particular, the method should enable detection of the influence of extraneous light for safe operation of the heating device.

In addition, setting up a heating device for carrying out a method proposed here should not increase its complexity, or only insignificantly, and the method should be able to be carried out using simple means.

These objects are solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous refinements of the solution proposed here are specified in the independent patent claims. It is pointed out that the features listed in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful manner and define further refinements of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the patent claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred configurations of the invention being presented.

1. a) Erfassen eines ersten Flammensignals einer Ultraviolett-Strahlung einer Flamme des Heizgerätes,
2. b) Erfassen eines zweiten Flammensignals einer Infrarot-Strahlung einer Flamme des Heizgerätes,
3. c) Ermitteln eines Verhältnisses vom ersten Flammensignal und zweiten Flammensignal,
4. d) Erkennen eines Fehlers der Flammenüberwachung des Heizgerätes.

The procedure for flame monitoring of a heater can include at least the following steps:

1. a) detecting a first flame signal of an ultraviolet radiation of a flame of the heater,
2. b) detecting a second flame signal of an infrared radiation of a flame of the heater,
3. c) determining a ratio of the first flame signal and the second flame signal,
4. d) Recognition of a fault in the flame monitor of the heater.

Steps a) to d) are carried out at least once in the specified order in a regular process sequence. In particular, steps a) and b) can also be carried out simultaneously.

In principle, the proposed method for verifying a flame monitor as part of an ignition process and/or during the operation of a heater can be carried out continuously or at (short) time intervals in order to ensure that the flame monitor of the heater is verified as continuously or seamlessly as possible, in particular a check for an extraneous light influence of the flame monitoring.

The solution described here serves in particular to verify a flame monitor of a heating device, in particular to check whether the signal from a sensor for ultraviolet radiation in the flame monitor is influenced by extraneous light. The heating device can in particular be a hydrogen-operated heating device, but a method proposed here is fundamentally possible and useful for any flame monitoring that includes a signal from ultraviolet radiation. In particular, with the flame monitor monitors a flame in a heater that is at least partially produced by the combustion of hydrogen.

Influencing a sensor for ultraviolet radiation of a heater by extraneous light could cause the regulation and control of a heater to regulate or control in a critical area, and thus lead to a failure of the heater, up to and including a risk of explosion and danger a leak of unburned fuel. The method proposed here advantageously offers a simple and reliable way of excluding or at least minimizing such risks.

The heater is in particular a gas heater that is set up to burn a fuel gas, in particular hydrogen, with the supply of ambient air and to generate heat energy, for example to heat a heat transfer medium of a heating circuit or to provide a hot water supply. In particular, the heater can be a condensing boiler. The heater generally has a combustion chamber and a delivery device that can deliver a mixture of fuel gas and combustion air into a combustion chamber. The combustion products can then be discharged through an exhaust system.

In particular, the heater has a flame monitoring device. Flame monitoring of a heater can be used to detect and prevent the escape of (unburned) fuel gas. Escaping combustible gas poses, among other things, a high health risk and a risk of explosion, which is why flame monitoring devices are required by law in most countries. Flame monitoring of a heating device can be integrated, for example, in what is known as a gas burner control unit, which can often also be used to regulate and control the heating device.

To carry out a method proposed here, a flame monitoring device can detect at least two (different) flame signals, a first flame signal for or relating to (visible) light and/or in particular ultraviolet radiation and a second flame signal for or relating to infrared radiation. In particular, the flame signals can be detected or determined by means of sensors of a flame monitoring device that are suitable for the respective radiation.

According to a step a) of the method proposed here, a flame signal of an ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be detected. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be detected using a suitable sensor. Typically, an ultraviolet radiation sensor can convert photons in the ultraviolet spectrum into an electrical current via a photoelectric effect. Often, however, only a small amount of ultraviolet radiation is emitted during the combustion of gases or petroleum. For this reason, suitable sensors are often very sensitive or sensitive. This results in a high susceptibility to the influence of extraneous light. In known solutions, an attempt is made to rule out the influence of extraneous light by arranging the sensor, for example by arranging it in the air intake line with direct alignment to a flame. However, such a constructive solution to the problem is not always possible, and the influence of extraneous light due to damage to the heater cannot be completely ruled out either.

Within the framework of flame monitoring, ultraviolet radiation from the flame is often detected anyway. The method proposed here can be used to verify the detected ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in particular to check whether it is influenced or falsified by the influence of extraneous light.

The ultraviolet (UV) radiation can occur in particular in a wavelength range of 300 nm to 325 nm [nanometer], which is significant for a hydrogen flame.

According to a step b), a second flame signal of an infrared (IR) radiation can be detected. The infrared radiation can be detected by an infrared sensor of the flame monitoring device, in particular in a wavelength range from 700 nm [nanometer] to 3.5 μm [micrometer].

Advantageously, within the framework of flame monitoring of a heating device operated with hydrogen, ultraviolet and infrared radiation are often detected anyway, so that no additional devices are necessary for carrying out a method proposed here. Steps a) and b) can be carried out (alternately) one after the other and/or partly simultaneously.

According to a step c), a ratio of the ultraviolet radiation detected in step a) and the infrared radiation detected in step b) can be detected or determined. In particular, the ratio can be a parameter that includes the flame signals together or in relation to one another. In particular, the ratio can include a (mathematical) division of the flame signals, the result of the division being such a ratio parameter. It has been shown that, in particular when hydrogen is burned, radiation is emitted that has both ultraviolet and infrared components. During combustion, the ultraviolet and infrared components can only be emitted from (intermediate) products of the chemical reaction of the combustion. With a largely constant composition of the mixture of fuel and air to be burned, there is a (fixed or specified/known) dependency of the ratio of ultraviolet and infrared radiation solely on the output of the heating device.

According to a step d), it can be determined on the basis of the ratio of the flame signals of ultraviolet and infrared radiation determined in step c) whether there is a fault in the flame monitoring. For example, an error can be detected if either only the ultraviolet signal or only the infrared signal returns a value. In particular, an error can be determined, which can be based on the influence of extraneous light, if a (significant) change or deviation in the ratio determined in step c) can be detected. In particular, an error can be detected if a (significant) change in the ratio determined in step c) can be detected independently of the output of the heater.

A reference value of the ratio of the first flame signal to the second flame signal determined in step c) can be included as part of the determination of a fault in the flame monitoring according to step d). The reference value should be determined in relation to the properties of a heater, in particular with regard to the fuel, the sensors used to record the first flame signal and second flame signal, the arrangement of the sensors, etc. A reference value can be determined, for example, by comparing the ratio of a (proven ) error-free operation of the heater is determined. Including the reference value in determining a fault in the flame monitoring can consist in a comparison of the reference value with the ratio determined in step c), in which case a tolerance can also be included in the comparison to compensate for system-related inaccuracies.

The reference value can be selected depending on the output of the heater. For this purpose, the reference value can be provided in particular as a (discrete) function or characteristic diagram.

The reference value can be selected depending on a lambda value of the composition of the mixture of fuel and air. For this purpose, a (current) lambda value of the composition of the mixture of fuel and air in the heater can also be recorded. For this purpose, the reference value can be provided in particular as a (discrete) function or characteristic diagram.

In the event that an error is detected as part of step d), the heater can be switched off in step e) because safe operation is no longer guaranteed. In particular, it is also possible to block starting up the heater after an error has been detected, which can only be reversed by a service company, for example. A message about the detected error can also be sent to a service company or the owner, for example by means of an acoustic or optical display or also via a network such as the Internet. The above actions can be provided or initiated individually or cumulatively.

The first flame signal and/or the second flame signal can be determined by a number of sensors. By comparing the determined signals, a sensor failure can be detected, for example, while the heater can be left in operation. Equally possible is an averaging of the recorded values for the first and second flame signal.

According to a further aspect, a regulation and control unit for a heating device is also proposed, set up to carry out a method presented here. For this purpose, the regulating and control unit can have a processor, for example, or have it at its disposal. In this context, the processor can, for example, execute the method stored in a memory (of the regulation and control device). In particular, a reference value of a ratio of the first radiation signal to the second radiation signal can also be stored in a memory of the regulation and control device, for example in the form of a characteristic map including a power of the heater and/or a lambda value of the heater.

According to a further aspect, a heater with a closed-loop and open-loop control unit presented here is also proposed. The regulation and control device is often part of a heater of the heating system. The heater is in particular a gas heater with a gas burner and a conveyor capable of conveying a mixture of gas and combustion air (combustible mixture) to a gas burner.

In addition, a heating device is proposed that includes flame monitoring (or a flame monitoring device) and means that are suitable for carrying out the steps of the method described here. The "means" can in particular be sensors for detecting the first and/or second flame signal, a computing, comparison or analysis unit for sensor data (e.g. also the regulation and control unit), a data memory, data connections, electrical connections, a detector for detecting the Lambda value of the composition of the mixture of fuel and air, circuits of the heater and / or a message sending unit or more.

According to a further aspect, a computer program is also proposed which is set up to (at least partially) carry out a method presented here. In other words, this relates in particular to a computer program (product), comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the latter to execute a method described here. According to a further aspect, a machine-readable storage medium is also proposed, on which the computer program is stored. The machine-readable storage medium is usually a computer-readable data carrier.

According to a further aspect, a ratio of a first and a second flame signal is used to verify a flame monitor of a heating device. The first flame signal can in particular be ultraviolet radiation from a flame of the heating device. The second flame signal can in particular be infrared radiation from a flame of the heating device.

The details, features and advantageous configurations discussed in connection with the method can accordingly also occur in the computer program proposed here, the storage medium, the regulation and control device, the heating device and/or the use or vice versa. In this respect, reference is made in full to the statements made there for a more detailed characterization of the features.

A method for flame monitoring of a heating device, in particular for verifying flame monitoring of a heating device, a computer program, a regulating and control device and a heating device for carrying out the method and the use of a ratio are thus specified here, which are described with reference to the prior art at least partially solve problems. In particular, the method, the computer program, the regulation and control device and the heater as well as the use each contribute at least to ensuring safe and trouble-free flame monitoring of a heater. In addition, the method can be implemented without significant changes to a flame monitoring system of a heating device and is therefore inexpensive and simple.

As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerals used here ("first", "second", ...) primarily (only) serve to distinguish between several similar objects, sizes or processes, i.e. in particular no dependency and/or sequence of these objects, sizes or make processes mandatory for each other. Should a dependency and/or order be necessary, this is explicitly stated here or it is obvious to the person skilled in the art when studying the specifically described embodiment. If a component can occur more than once ("at least one"), the description of one of these components can apply equally to all or part of the majority of these components, but this is not mandatory.

Fig. 1:

ein hier vorgeschlagenes Heizgerät, und

Fig. 2:

einen Ablauf eines hier vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be pointed out that the invention should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments given. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and to combine them with other components and findings from the present description. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the proportions shown are only schematic. Show it:

Figure 1:

a heater proposed here, and

Figure 2:

a sequence of a method proposed here.

1 shows an example and diagrammatically of a heating system 0 with a heater 1 proposed here. The heater 1 can have a burner 3 to which a gas mixture (mixture of fuel gas, in particular hydrogen and air) can be supplied via a mixture channel 11 . Ambient air can be sucked in via an air intake pipe 4, to which combustible gas can be added via a gas supply pipe 8. The fuel gas can be introduced and dosed via a gas valve 5, which can be electrically connected to a regulating and control unit 7. A delivery device 2 can be arranged in the mixture channel 11 and can deliver a mixture of fuel gas and air to the burner 3 . The conveying device 2 can, for example, be designed as a blower and alternatively also be arranged in the direction of flow after the burner 3, in the exhaust gas duct of an exhaust system 9. The burner 3 can be arranged in a combustion chamber 12 which has an ignition device 6 and a flame monitoring device 10 . can. The flame monitor 10 may include a sensor for detecting ultraviolet radiation and a sensor for detecting infrared radiation. Advantageously, the flame monitoring device 10 can be arranged outside the combustion chamber 12 in order not to be exposed to the wear-promoting conditions in the combustion chamber 12 (influence of high temperatures and combustion products). For example, the flame monitor may be located behind a burner door and directed toward the flame through a translucent portion thereof.

2 shows an exemplary and schematic sequence of a method proposed here. The method is used for flame monitoring of a heating device 1, in particular for verification of flame monitoring of a heating device 1. Signals from sensors of the flame monitoring device 10 can be used to carry out the method. The method can be carried out in particular by the regulation and control unit 7 .

According to a step a) of a method proposed here, a first flame signal of an ultraviolet radiation of a flame of the heating device 1 is detected.

According to step b), which is to be carried out in particular at the same time as or in parallel with step a), a second flame signal of infrared radiation from the heater 1 is detected.

In particular, the first flame signal can be detected by a sensor for detecting ultraviolet radiation and the second flame signal can be detected by a sensor for detecting infrared radiation, both of which sensors can be part of the flame monitoring device 10 .

According to a step c), a ratio of the first flame signal (ultraviolet radiation of the flame) detected in step a) and the second flame signal (infrared radiation of the flame) detected in step b) can now be formed. In particular, the ratio can be formed by dividing the first flame signal and the second flame signal.

According to a step d), a fault in the flame monitoring can now be detected. For example, the ratio determined in step c) can be compared with a reference value of the ratio. It goes without saying that the reference value of the ratio should have the same dimension as the ratio determined in step c). If, for example, the ultraviolet radiation signal was divided by the infrared radiation signal to determine the ratio in step c), the reference value should be given using the same arithmetic operation in order to ensure comparability.

A tolerance can also be included in a comparison of a ratio of the first and second flame signal determined in step c), for example that a deviation of 10% is considered permissible and no error is detected. Such small deviations can be due to fluctuations in the fuel quality, signs of aging in the sensors or other components.

The method can advantageously be carried out permanently or at short time intervals, for example every minute. Thus, the incoming signals, namely signals of the flame monitoring device 10, are already available to a process-carrying regulation and control device 7, so that a permanent process performance appears possible without any problems and without additional use.

Reference List

0

heating system

1

heater

2

conveyor

3

burner

4

air intake pipe

5

gas valve

6

ignition device

7

regulation and control unit

8th

gas supply pipe

9

exhaust system

10

flame monitoring device

11

mixture channel

12

combustion chamber

Claims (10)

Method for flame monitoring of a heater (1) comprising at least the following steps: a) detecting a first flame signal of an ultraviolet radiation of a flame of the heater (1), b) detecting a second flame signal of an infrared radiation of a flame of the heater (1), c) determining a ratio of the first flame signal and the second flame signal, d) detection of a fault in the flame monitor of the heater (1). Method according to Claim 1, in which the heating device is set up to use hydrogen as fuel. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein as part of the detection of an error in step d), the ratio of the first flame signal and the second flame signal determined in step c) is compared with a reference value. Method according to Claim 3, in which the reference value is selected as a function of the output of the heating device (1). Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the reference value depends on a lambda value of the composition of the mixture of fuel and air is selected and a lambda value of the composition of the mixture of fuel and air is also recorded. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein if an error is detected in step e), the heating device (1) is switched off, the heating device (1) is switched on again and/or a message is output via a network. A heater (1) comprising a flame controller and means suitable for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims. A computer program comprising instructions that cause the heater of claim 7 to perform the method steps of any preceding claim. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 8 is stored. Use of a ratio of a first flame signal and a second flame signal to verify flame monitoring of a heating device (1).

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