EP4102141A1 - Mécanisme de sécurité - Google Patents

Mécanisme de sécurité Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4102141A1
EP4102141A1 EP21179109.0A EP21179109A EP4102141A1 EP 4102141 A1 EP4102141 A1 EP 4102141A1 EP 21179109 A EP21179109 A EP 21179109A EP 4102141 A1 EP4102141 A1 EP 4102141A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
boiler
sensor
gas
concentration
control unit
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21179109.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Job Rutgers
Andrea Pisoni
Jelmer Woudstra
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.)
BDR Thermea Group BV
Original Assignee
BDR Thermea Group BV
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 BDR Thermea Group BV filed Critical BDR Thermea Group BV
Priority to EP21179109.0A priority Critical patent/EP4102141A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2022/064515 priority patent/WO2022258406A1/fr
Priority to EP22730539.8A priority patent/EP4352420A1/fr
Publication of EP4102141A1 publication Critical patent/EP4102141A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2035—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using fluid fuel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D19/00—Details
    • F24D19/10—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24D19/1006—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems
    • F24D19/1009—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heating systems for central heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/10—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the purpose of the control
    • F24H15/12—Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H15/00—Control of fluid heaters
    • F24H15/40—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers
    • F24H15/414—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
    • F24H15/421—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based using pre-stored data
    • F24H15/429—Control of fluid heaters characterised by the type of controllers using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based using pre-stored data for selecting operation modes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/12—Heat pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/16—Waste heat
    • F24D2200/19—Fuel cells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H9/00—Details
    • F24H9/20—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24H9/2007—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters
    • F24H9/2035—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for water heaters using fluid fuel
    • F24H9/2042—Preventing or detecting the return of combustion gases

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a safety mechanism and a heating system with such a safety mechanism. Additionally, the invention relates to a method of operating a gas boiler and to a use of the safety mechanism for leakage detection in a boiler or in a heating system. In addition, the invention relates to a computer program product.
  • Gas boilers combust gas fuel to heat water for domestic use and/or central heating systems in buildings. Exhaust flue gas is generated by this combustion. Usually, a central heating water circuit is heated, as well as a hot water supply. A gas leak, both considering the combustible fuel gas or the exhaust flue gas, can be very dangerous. In fact, the gas can accumulate in closed spaces, such as the room containing the boiler or even the boiler's cabinet, and determine the conditions for an explosion. Several operating components of the gas boiler, such as the fan or the pump can trigger for an explosion. It is therefore desirable to detect a possible gas leak in a timely manner in order to prevent an explosion and specifically to detect the location of the gas leak. It is particularly desirable to avoid that the operating parts of the boiler can trigger an explosion in case of gas leak. It is furthermore desirable that the safety conditions of the gas boiler are continuously monitored.
  • EP 0 621 472 B1 is directed to a system to determine the leakage of water from a boiler wherein steam is generated in a boiler from feed-water fed to the boiler, and the concentration of impurities in the boiler water within the boiler is reduced by withdrawing fractions thereof as blowdown while admitting additional feed-water as boiler-water makeup.
  • This document is also directed to a method for determining the leakage comprising employing as the inert component an inert tracer, sensing a characteristic of the inert tracer in the boiler at steady state equivalent to its concentration in the boiler water, converting the sensed characteristic to a value equivalent to the concentration of the inert tracer in the boiler water, and activation of a signal when a variance in the cyclic concentration fluctuation of said inert tracer occurs that is consistent with a leakage of boiler water.
  • EP 0 976 989 B1 is directed to a water circuit for a combined service wall-mounted gas-fired boiler including a primary circuit in which the hot water for room heating is circulated and a secondary circuit in which hot water for domestic use is circulated.
  • a three-way valve is provided in order to fill with water the primary circuit of the boiler and the room heating units connected thereto through pipes.
  • the valve is arranged so as to connect the primary circuit or the secondary circuit to the water mains or to disconnect both therefrom.
  • the three-way valve connects the primary circuit to the water mains, while during the normal operation of the boiler the three-way valve connects the secondary circuit to the water mains.
  • CN 210979822 U is directed to a circulating fluidized bed boiler anti-leakage detection device which comprises an upper half ring and a lower half ring, an upper alloy layer installed on the inner side of the upper half ring, and a lower alloy layer installed on the inner side of the lower half ring.
  • the upper half ring and the lower half ring are combined to form a fixing ring, and the upper alloy layer and the lower alloy layer are combined to form an anti-leakage layer.
  • a mounting base is formed on the upper half ring, a printed circuit board (PCB) is installed in the installation base, a processor is installed on the PCB, an ultrasonic sensor is installed below the PCB, the ultrasonic sensor being in signal connection with the PCB, and a gas sensor and a buzzer are installed in front of the installation base and are in signal connection with the PCB.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • EP 2 366 962 B1 is directed to a boiler assembly comprising a removable domestic boiler unit detachably connected to a manifold unit, the arrangement being such that the manifold unit provides the boiler unit with a connection interface to a heating pipework system.
  • the boiler unit can be quickly and simply removed from the manifold unit and taken away to be serviced or repaired.
  • a replacement boiler unit is connected to the manifold unit.
  • the boiler unit comprises a plurality of removable panels.
  • the front panel comprises a security lock.
  • a timer is also provided for turning the boiler unit on and off and to indicate when a service is due or to indicate a fault.
  • EP 3 279 571A1 is directed to a control system of a heating plant comprising a boiler for heating a fluid, at least one supply pipe, through which the heated fluid is sent to one or more radiators, and at least one return pipe, through which the fluid from the radiators returns to the boiler.
  • the plant comprises at least one circulator, wherein the control system further comprises a control unit adapted to control the boiler and the at least one circulator, a return temperature sensor, associated with a return pipe, and an outdoor temperature sensor adapted to measure the outdoor temperature, from the comparison of which a reference index is obtained which is essential for correct management of the heat to the building in which the heating plant is installed.
  • US 2019346131 A1 is directed to a method, system and computer program for detecting a boiler leakage, in which the automation system of the recovery boiler receives an indication of a need to start the automatic sequence and starts an automatic sequence with the following functions: stopping the dosing of the tracer into the boiler water, stopping the exhaust purge flow of the boiler water, monitoring a property of the boiler water over the duration of the inspection period and drawing a conclusion regarding the leakage on the basis of said monitoring.
  • monitoring the tightness of the boiler is arranged such that a leakage is discovered already, when it is relatively small.
  • the tightness of a boiler can be monitored by mass balance monitoring, chemical balance monitoring, or acoustic emission monitoring.
  • the sensor or sensors optionally check periodically the gas concentration.
  • the sensor or sensors check the gas concentration at every start or after a predetermined time interval, in particular every 5 minutes.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm when they sense a certain amount of carbon monoxide over time; usually before first physical symptoms should develop. At lower concentrations (50 ppm), it may take up to eight hours for the alarm to go off. Higher levels (over 150 ppm) can trigger an alarm within minutes. Upon hearing such an alarm, actions should be taken quickly because exposure to low concentrations over extended periods of time can be as dangerous as sudden exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide. Once the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, the carbon monoxide detector must be in a carbon monoxide-free environment to silence the siren.
  • the known embodiments are not suitable to avoid an explosion or toxic or asphyxiating gas leakage triggered by the operating components of the boiler, once a gas leak is present.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a safety mechanism that is easy to implement and by means of which a dangerous situation, in particular a dangerous situation for human health, can be prevented.
  • a safety mechanism for a boiler comprising:
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a method that is easy to implement and by means of which a dangerous situation, in particular a dangerous situation for human health, can be prevented.
  • the object is solved by a method for operating a boiler, in particular a hydrogen boiler, the method comprising:
  • An advantage of the safety mechanism is that it is easy to implement and that it does not take up a significant amount of space, in particular mounting space. Additionally, by switching the operation of the boiler to a safety operation mode when the risk situation exists, it can be easily prevented that the dangerous situation occurs.
  • a dangerous situation is a situation in which a danger for human health exists. This situation can result from that a leaked gas has reached an explosive level. An unwanted explosion can then be triggered by the operating components of the boiler. Additionally, a dangerous situation exists if the leaked gas is toxic or is asphyxiating.
  • safety mechanism is intended here a set of mechanical and/or electrical parts working together.
  • the safety mechanism can be advantageously used for a boiler that combusts a combustion gas.
  • the combustions gas can be a gas mixture of air and fuel gas.
  • the fuel gas can be a natural gas, methane, ethylene, propane, butane, coal gas, biogas etc., mixtures of the same, and mixtures of the same additionally comprising hydrogen or hydrogen, in particular pure hydrogen. Pure hydrogen is present if the fuel gas has at least a value comprised between 95mol % and 98 mol% of hydrogen.
  • the boiler can be a pneumatic or electronic combustion boiler.
  • the boiler can be a hydrogen boiler.
  • a hydrogen boiler is a boiler to which fuel gas is supplied that comprises at least 95-98 mol % hydrogen.
  • pure hydrogen can be supplied to the hydrogen boiler..
  • hydrogen is a high flammable gas and the safety mechanism can efficiently be used to prevent explosions, especially in heating systems for domestic use.
  • the operation of the boiler can be interrupted. This can be achieved by interrupting the combustion gas supply, in particular air and/or fuel gas, to the boiler.
  • the safety operation mode all actions of operating components of the boiler can be stopped in order to prevent to trigger an explosion for example.
  • the sensor used in the safety mechanism can be configured to detect and measure the concentration of the gas used as combustible fuel for the boiler and/or to detect and measure the concentration of the flue gas result of the combustion.
  • the sensor can be a catalytic or semiconductor sensor to measure the concentration of hydrogen and/or to measure the concentration of carbon monoxide.
  • a detection signal comprising information about the gas concentration can be generated and directly sent to the control unit.
  • the sensor can send to the control unit several detection signals associated to different gas concentrations.
  • Carbon monoxide sensors can be different types of sensors.
  • Biomimetic sensors comprise a gel which changes colour when the gel absorbs carbon monoxide, and this colour change is measured by the sensor.
  • Metal oxide semiconductor sensors comprise a silica chip circuitry which detects carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide lowers the electrical resistance, and this change is measured by the sensor.
  • electrochemical sensors are suitable. The electrodes in a chemical solution sense changes in electrochemical potential when carbon monoxide comes in contact with the solution, and this change is measured by the sensor.
  • the control unit is an electric or electronic control unit. Additionally, the control unit is adapted to receive electric sensor signals and to output electric control signals.
  • the control unit can comprise at least one processor and/or a printed circuit board.
  • the control unit can cause the switch of the boiler to the safety operation mode when the gas concentration is above a predetermined threshold value.
  • the risk situation can be easily determined. In particular, it can be recognized in time, i.e. before the dangerous situation occurs, that a risk situation exists if the gas concentration is too high. Therefore, countermeasures can be timely initiated.
  • the sensor can be configured to send the aforementioned detection signal only to the control unit when the gas concentration is above the predetermined threshold value. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can check whether the measured gas concentration is above the predetermined threshold value. If this is the case, the control unit determines that a risk situation is present.
  • the control unit causes the interruption of the operation of the boiler.
  • the control unit can stop any activity of the boiler when a risk situation is determined and the boiler is switched to the safety operation mode.
  • the boiler can remain in stand-by showing a specific error code on a corresponding display. All the dynamic components inside the boiler (i.e. fan, pump,..) can be stopped to avoid any possible trigger with the gas and consecutively possible explosion.
  • a fan of the boiler keeps running.
  • the fan can run with same speed as in the normal operation mode or ramp up with or without time delay after the boiler is switched to the safety operation mode. The running fan ensures that the explosive or toxic or asphyxiating gas is evacuated from the cabinet of the boiler.
  • the threshold value can be predetermined e.g. in a laboratory and can be stored in the control unit. Specifically, the threshold value can for example be set between 20% and 35% of a danger gas level, and preferably at 25% of the danger gas level.
  • a danger situation exists if the concentration is or is above the danger gas level.
  • the danger gas level is the gas level from which a danger for human health exists.
  • the sensor can be hydrogen sensor.
  • the hydrogen sensor can measure a concentration from 0 to 40,000 ppm and/or response within two seconds.
  • the danger gas level is about 40,000 ppm. Therefore, the threshold can be set at 10,000 ppm so that the dangerous situation exists when the concentration is above 10,000ppm.
  • the sensor can be arranged inside the boiler to verify leakage that could create possible explosion.
  • the sensor can be carbon monoxide sensor. Said sensor can be arranged outside the boiler in order to detect toxic gas. A threshold for deciding whether a risk situation exists depends from the type of carbon monoxide sensor. In particular, the threshold can be a fixed value or an accumulated value over time.
  • the sensor In case the sensor is configured to detect the carbon monoxide concentration, the sensor detects a build-up of carbon monoxide concentrations over time. Lower concentrations 50 ppm, it may take up to eight hours for the threshold value of the sensor to be reached for the safety mechanism to interrupt the operation of the boiler only when a risk situation actually exists, thereby avoiding an unnecessary shut down of the boiler, in case the gas concentration would never reach harmful levels neither acute or chronically. Higher levels, over 150 ppm, can initiate the safety mechanism to interrupt the operation of the boiler within minutes. This has several advantages.
  • the location of the carbon monoxide sensor can be placed in the proper location to the boiler as a potential source of carbon monoxide leakage and sensor maintenance and replacement can be a regular part of the maintenance of the boiler itself, thus reducing the risk of improper placement of the sensor or malfunction of the sensor due to aging or neglect.
  • the carbon monoxide sensor placed next to the boiler can be placed higher than the boiler.
  • the carbon monoxide sensor can be placed in the cabinet at ceiling level or at an upper end of the cabinet or the boiler room.
  • a warning signal can be outputted when the concentration of carbon monoxide is 25 ppm.
  • An alarm signal can be outputted when the concentration of carbon monoxide is below 50 ppm.
  • the boiler stops combusting.
  • gas valves for supplying the boiler with air and/or fuel gas can be closed.
  • the interruption of the operation of the boiler can occur when the measured gas concentration increases according to a specific trend or function or when the measured gas concentration continuously increases in a predetermined period of time.
  • the safety mechanism can comprise a plurality of sensors all connected to the control unit so that the gas concentration can be measured in different locations.
  • the safety mechanism can comprise a first sensor and a second sensor, in particular electrically or electronically, connected to the control unit to measure the gas concentration, respectively.
  • the sensor or sensor can wirelessly communicate with the control unit.
  • the two sensors can be spaced apart and are controlled by the control unit to independently acquire the measured data from two distinct locations.
  • the switch of the boiler to the safety operating mode can occur when at least one of the first or second sensor determines that a risk situation exists.
  • the two sensors can be configured to measure the concentration of the same gas or, alternatively to measure each the concentration of a different gas. Based on the gas concentration that is intended to be measured and based on the position of each sensor, both the first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to measure the concentration of hydrogen or both the first sensor and the second sensor can be configured to measure the concentration of carbon monoxide. Alternatively, one of the two sensors, the first or the second sensor, can be configured to measure the concentration of hydrogen, whereas the other sensor can be configured to measure the concentration of carbon monoxide.
  • the sensor or sensors can be used to measure the concentration of a gas, in particular carbon monoxide or hydrogen, in a flue gas.
  • the flue gas results from combusting of combustion gas in the boiler. It is noted that for this purpose a different level concentration of the gas would be detected.
  • the sensor and/or control unit can be adapted to generate an error code when the risk situation is present.
  • the error code simplifies the user of the boiler to identify the problem and/or the present risk situation.
  • the control unit can receive the detection signals from the two sensors independently. Based on the gas concentration, i.e. based for example on the fact that the threshold value is exceeded, two different error codes can be displayed on a monitor. In particular, it is possible to select on the monitor the information (i.e. the measured values of the gas concentration) related to only one of the sensors or both sensor at the same time.
  • the monitor can be located close to the boiler or boiler's cabinet or remotely.
  • the sensor has its own life, for example in case of a catalytic sensor the life is usually 4 to 5 years. After this period, the sensitivity of the sensor decreases and the response is less "reactive". Therefore, the mechanism can further comprise a timer synchronized with the activity of the at least one sensor.
  • the timer can be configured to inform regarding the sensitivity reduction of the sensor.
  • the timer is part of the safety mechanism and/or can be inside or outside the gas boiler and/or can be controlled by the control unit.
  • the timer can be activated when the sensor is first installed and a life time is set based on the characteristics of the sensor. At the end the time set, a message or a signal can be generated to inform that the life of the sensor is expired or is going to expire, and a replacement is needed.
  • the message or the signal can be displayed on a monitor.
  • a heating system with a gas boiler and an inventive safety mechanism is provided.
  • the boiler is connected with the safety mechanism through the control unit that controls one or more operating components of the boiler.
  • operating component is intended any component of the boiler used for its functioning.
  • the operating components can comprise a fan, a pump, a valve, a motor, an ignition system, etc.
  • heating system can be intended as a gas boiler with the corresponding operating components, wherein the safety mechanism described above can be arranged inside or outside a boiler's cabinet.
  • the “heating system” can also comprise additional heating equipment, such as for example gas conduits, water conduits, and/or at least a radiator connected to the water conduits.
  • control unit can be located inside the cabinet and configured to close a valve located outside the cabinet for interrupting the inlet of combustible fuel supplying the boiler dependent on the measured gas concentration. In this way, if the risk situation is detected, in addition to stop any activity of the boiler, the introduction of additional combustible fuel or combustion products inside the cabinet is prevented. This considerably increases the safety of the system, especially when the combustible fuel is a high flammable element like hydrogen.
  • the first sensor of the safety mechanism can be positioned inside the cabinet of the boiler to measure the concentration of the gas inside the boiler. In this way, it is possible to promptly determine whether in the surroundings of the operating components of the boiler the risk of triggering an explosion exists.
  • the first sensor can be used to detect the leakage due to deteriorated internal connection pipes of the operating components.
  • the first sensor can be directly integrated in the cabinet of the boiler or in the boiler components.
  • the first sensor can be positioned at an upper end of the cabinet, for example directly attached to the roof. This is particularly advantageous when using a hydrogen boiler. In fact, since the specific weight of hydrogen is lower than that of air, in a mixture of hydrogen and air, hydrogen moves quickly upwards and can be detected more efficiently.
  • the second sensor of the safety mechanism can be located outside the cabinet.
  • the second sensor can be for example positioned and attached to an external wall of the cabinet or spaced apart from the cabinet in a strategic location, for example close to the conduit of the combustible fuel gas used for supplying the boiler.
  • the second sensor can be used to detect if there is a risk situation outside the boiler, in particular outside the cabinet, due for example to a gas leakage of deteriorated or damaged conduits of the fuel gas.
  • the second sensor can be used to measure the gas concentration in the room containing the boiler or the heating system.
  • control unit can be configured to open an auxiliary output valve dependent on the measured gas concentration, i.e. when a risk situation exists.
  • the output valve can be placed on a wall of the boiler's cabinet for ensuring the outlet of dangerous gas from the boiler or cabinet. By determining the risk situation, the operating of the boiler can be immediately stopped in the safety operating mode.
  • control unit can open the auxiliary output valve where is possible to connect an external gas valve that shut off the gas supply pressure. This increases the safety of the heating system.
  • control unit can be configured to close a gas valve located outside the boiler for interrupting the inlet of combustible fuel supplying the boiler depending on the measurement of gas concentration. Also, the control unit can be configured to interrupt the operation of the boiler being in the safety operation mode by shutting off and/or closing the at least one operating component of the boiler.
  • the method can comprise immediately activating one or more actuators located inside and/or outside the boiler, when a risk situation exists.
  • the actuators can be for example integrated in the valves that can be opened or closed to block or deviate the gas flow.
  • the actuators can be separate components that act on the valves.
  • the leakage is downstream of the above-mentioned gas valve, i.e. in the cabinet of the boiler, the explosion possibility can be avoided because the system immediately reacts by controlling the actuators to act on the gas valve, fan, etc. upon detecting the gas concentration using the first sensor located inside the cabinet. If the leakage is upstream of the gas valve, i.e. outside of the boiler, the second sensor installed outside the cabinet of the boiler can avoid that the boiler is the cause of the trigger of the explosion.
  • the heating system can comprise at least one fuel cell and/or heat pump and the at least one sensor is configured to detect concentration of the gas used to supply the fuel cell.
  • the sensor or sensors can be used to measure the concentration of the refrigeration gases. A leakage of said gases can also lead to a dangerous situation.
  • a safety mechanism as described above for leakage detection in a gas boiler or in a heating system is provided.
  • an advantageous embodiment is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit, cause the control unit to perform the inventive method. Furthermore, a data carrier is provided on which the computer program is stored and/or a data carrier signal is provided which transmits the computer program.
  • a standard heating system 30 for domestic use is shown.
  • the figure illustrates the basic equipment used to heat for example a family residence.
  • a boiler 20 for example a gas boiler, is located in a dedicated boiler's room 32 and is supplied by fuel gas.
  • a gas container 38 can be located outside the family residence and the fuel gas is transported in the family residence and then in the boiler 20 through gas conduit 33.
  • heated water can be distributed in the several radiators 34 located in different external rooms 36 of the residence and returning cooled water can be transported back to the boiler 20 to be heated again passing through a heat exchanger.
  • a gas leakage can have different causes.
  • the gas conduit 33 inside the boiler's room 32 can be damaged and part of the fuel gas can fill the boiler's room 32.
  • a gas leakage can also occur inside the boiler 20, that is inside the cabinet containing the boiler 20 due for example to defective internal components of the boiler 20.
  • the gas leakage can originate from the exhaust flue gas generated by the combustion in the boiler 20.
  • the boiler's room 32 or the boiler's cabinet can fill itself with toxic and above all flammable gas, resulting in a dangerous situation. In particular, in said situation there can be risk of explosion.
  • the explosion can be triggered by the operating components of the boiler 20 that, despite the gas leakage, can still continue to work. It is evident that such an explosion can be very dangerous since the boiler's room 32 is usually integrated in the family residence and can cause a collapse of the entire building. It is noted that different types of gas detection systems, known in the art, can be installed in the boiler's room 32. However, they are not always efficient in preventing explosions, especially triggered by the operating components of the boiler 20.
  • a not correctly serviced boiler 20 can produce high concentrations of carbon monoxide, in case it is operated on natural gas or natural gas mixtures. Such a leakage can lead to toxic levels of carbon monoxide in the family residence, if despite the gas leakage, the boiler still can continue to work.
  • the particular danger of carbon monoxide is that it is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas.
  • Conventional solutions are separate carbon monoxide detectors which give a loud alarm to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Such carbon monoxide detectors need to be placed at eye level and not on the ceiling and should not be placed further than 1,5 m from the source where carbon monoxide leakage may occur.
  • FIG. 2 describes a heating system 30 with a safety mechanism 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and a boiler 20.
  • the system 30 comprises a boiler 20 including several operating components 26.
  • the safety mechanism 10 comprises a control unit 24 for controlling the operation of the boiler 20.
  • the boiler 20 is electrically connected with the safety mechanism 10 through the control unit 24 that controls the operating components 26 of the boiler 20.
  • the control unit 24 can send control signals by means of the electrical connection to the boiler 20.
  • the operating components 26 include a fan, a motor, an ignition system, etc...
  • the safety mechanism 10 comprises a sensor 28 connected to the control unit 24 to measure gas, in particular hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, concentration.
  • the control unit 24 is configured to determine whether a risk situation exists on the basis of the gas concentration measured by the sensor 28. For example, the risk situation occurs when the gas concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In fact, if the measured gas concentration exceeds a determined critical dangerous gas level means that a gas leakage is present.
  • the control unit 24 is also configured to cause to switch the boiler 20 to a safety operation mode when said risk situation exists. In the safety operation mode one or more of the operating components 26 are shut down. In this way, a dangerous situation like an explosion triggered by the operating components 26 of the boiler 20 or a toxic or asphyxiating gas leakage can be prevented.
  • the location of the carbon monoxide sensor can be placed in the proper location to the boiler 20 as a potential source of carbon monoxide leakage and sensor maintenance and replacement can be a regular part of the maintenance of the boiler 20 itself, thus reducing the risk of improper placement of malfunction of the sensor due to aging or neglect.
  • the sensor 28 measures the gas concentration outside the boiler 20.
  • the control unit 24 is located outside the boiler 20.
  • FIG. 3 describes in detail a boiler 20.
  • the boiler 20 comprises several operating components that are located inside a cabinet 22.
  • the components comprise at least a fan 26A, a burner 26B and a heat exchanger 26C.
  • the functioning of these components 26A, 26B, 26C is controlled by the control unit 24 that is also located in the cabinet 22. It is noted that the control unit 24 also controls the functioning of other elements, such as the opening or closing of inlet or output valves.
  • the hydrogen gas enters the boiler's cabinet 22 through a gas conduit 21.
  • a gas valve 27A, located outside the cabinet 22 can be opened or closed by the control unit 24 to regulate the gas inlet.
  • the control unit 24 causes that the gas valve 27A is closed in case of a hydrogen leakage.
  • the hydrogen Prior to combustion, the hydrogen is mixed with air introduced in the cabinet 22 through an air conduit 23. In particular, hydrogen and air are forced or blown into the boiler 20 using the fan 26A.
  • the gas mixture is ignited by an ignition system in the burner 26B.
  • the combustion of the gas mixture results in hot flue gas which flows through the heat exchanger 26C transferring heat to the water system.
  • the flue gas is ducted to the top of the cabinet 22 and exits the cabinet 22 through an exhaust conduit 25.
  • the control unit 24 is connected to a first sensor 28A and a second sensor 28B both located outside the cabinet 22 and placed and attached to an wall of said cabinet 22, respectively.
  • the first sensor 28A can be placed close to the gas conduit 21. However, the first sensor 28A can be placed in other regions of the boiler 20.
  • a correct placement of the first sensor 28A can be selected based on the geometry of the boiler's cabinet 22, the arrangement of the operating components inside the boiler 20 as well as the velocity of the gas, in this case the hydrogen gas.
  • Fig. 3 shows the first sensor 28A to be located inside the cabinet, however, in another non-shown embodiment the first sensor 28A can be located outside the cabinet. Additionally, in an alternative embodiment the first sensor 28A can be arranged below the cabinet 22 or above the cabinet 22.
  • the electrical connection between the sensors 28A, 28B and the control unit 24 is shown by dotted lines. It is noted that both the first sensor 28A and the second sensor 28B do not necessarily need to be in contact with the structure of the cabinet 22.
  • an internal timer 29 is present.
  • the timer 29 is connected to the control unit 24 and is synchronized with the activity of the first sensor 28A and the second sensor 28B. It is noted that figure 3 shows the presence of a single timer 29 for both the first and second sensor 28A, 28B. However, it is also conceivable the presence of a dedicated timer for each sensor.
  • the timer 29 is activated when the sensor 28A, 28B is first installed and a life time is set based on the characteristics of the sensor 28A, 28B. At the end of the time set, a message or a signal is generated to inform that the life of the sensor 28A, 28B is expired, or is going to expire, and a replacement is needed.
  • the presence of two sensors, a first sensor or internal sensor 28A and a second sensor 28B serves to monitor, i.e. detect and measure, the gas concentration in different locations.
  • the first sensor 28A is a hydrogen leak sensor used to detect and measure at least the variation of hydrogen.
  • the first sensor 28A can also be a specific sensor configured to detect hydrogen, methane and LPG. Since hydrogen is a high flammable gas, it is very important to promptly detect a possible leakage.
  • the first sensor 28A can efficiently detect a variation of the hydrogen concentration in case the leakage derives from the gas conduit 21 or from other conduits transporting the mixture of hydrogen and air. In fact, the location of the first sensor 28A in the upper end of the cabinet 22 makes it possible to easily detect this gas (hydrogen) in a mixture of hydrogen and air due to the different specific weight of hydrogen compared to air (hydrogen moves quickly upwards).
  • the second sensor 28B measures the gas concentration outside the cabinet 22 of the boiler 20. This is very useful to monitor the gas concentration, for example, outside the boiler.
  • the second sensor 28B may be placed close to the junction of the gas pipe to possibly detect a gas leakage at that location.
  • the second sensor 28B is also a hydrogen leak sensor, it is possible to immediately understand whether the hydrogen leakage originates, for example, from a damage/deterioration of the hydrogen conduit external to the boiler 20 or rather from a damage/problem of an internal component of the boiler 20.
  • the combination of the internal and external sensors 28A, 28B definitely increases the safety of the entire heating system.
  • the leakage is located downstream of the gas valve 27A, i.e. in the boiler 20, it is possible to avoid any type of explosion since the system reacts immediately interrupting the operation of the boiler 20 and eventually closing inlet valves, such as the gas valve 27A.
  • the second sensor 28B installed outside the boiler 20 can avoid that the boiler 20 is the cause of the trigger of the explosion.
  • the control unit 24 in addition to interrupt the operation of the boiler 20 also closes the gas valve 27A, thereby interrupting the inlet of combustible fuel supplying the boiler, i.e. the inlet of hydrogen in the boiler 20.
  • the control unit 24 opens the auxiliary output valve 27B to eliminate dangerous gases from the cabinet 22. It is pointed out that the actuation of the gas valve 27A and the output valve 27B by the control unit 24 depending of the determination of a risk situation, is advantageously useful in case the first sensor 28A measures a critical gas concentration inside the boiler 20, i.e. inside the cabinet 22 of the boiler 20.
  • FIG 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a heating system 30 for domestic use like that shown in figure 1 using the safety mechanism 10 as shown in figure 3 .
  • the heating system 30 comprises the boiler 20.
  • the figure shows the boiler 20 is placed in a boiler's room 32 separated from an adjacent external room 36 including a radiator 34 connected to the boiler 20 through water conduits 31.
  • the water conduits 31 and the radiator 34 are part of the heating system 30.
  • the first sensor 28A is placed at an upper side of the cabinet 22 of the boiler 20 to detect gas concentration, i.e. hydrogen concentration.
  • the second sensor 28B is placed outside the boiler 20 in the boiler's room 32. Both the first and second sensor 28A, 28B are connected to the control unit 24 and can send detection signals to the control unit 24 based on the measurement of the gas concentration inside and outside the boiler 20, respectively.
  • the presence of the internal and external sensors 28A, 28B ensures a more reliable detection of a gas leakage.
  • the origin of the leakage can be promptly localized, i.e. inside or outside the boiler 20.
  • the operation of the boiler 20 can be interrupted, thereby preventing any explosion triggered by the operating components 26 of the boiler 20.
  • Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the method 100 for operation a boiler 20 using the safety mechanism 10 according to the invention.
  • the method 100 comprises the step of measuring S110 gas concentration using at least one sensor 28, for example the first sensor 28A and/or the second sensor 28B.
  • step S120 it is determined whether a risk situation exists on the basis of the measured gas concentration, for example if the gas concentration is above a threshold value.
  • step S130 the boiler 20 is switched to a safety operation mode.
  • the safety operation mode at least one operating component 26 of the boiler 20, for example the ignition system, a motor, a fan, a pump, etc., is shut off and/or closed.
  • one or more actuators located outside the boiler 20 can be activated.
  • valves internal to the boiler 20 can be closed/opened to avoid the circulation of the gas in particular regions or valves external to the boiler 20 can be closed/opened to block or deviate the gas flow by means of the actuators.
  • the method can comprise two more steps. Although these additional method steps increase the safety of the system, they are not considered essential for the method 100.
  • step S140 if a risk situation is determined, the gas valve 27A located outside the boiler 20 is closed for interrupting the inlet of combustible fuel supplying the boiler 20.
  • step S150 if a risk situation is determined, the auxiliary output valve 27B is opened to permit the outlet of dangerous gas from the cabinet 22.
  • the method 100 can also comprise the step of generating a detection signal at the sensor and sending said detection signal to the control unit.
  • the detection signal comprises information about the gas concentration.
  • the control unit 24 can cause an alarm signal, for example acoustic signal and/or a message displayed on a monitor on the basis of the detection signal.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Regulation And Control Of Combustion (AREA)
EP21179109.0A 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Mécanisme de sécurité Withdrawn EP4102141A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21179109.0A EP4102141A1 (fr) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Mécanisme de sécurité
PCT/EP2022/064515 WO2022258406A1 (fr) 2021-06-11 2022-05-30 Mécanisme de sécurité
EP22730539.8A EP4352420A1 (fr) 2021-06-11 2022-05-30 Mécanisme de sécurité

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EP21179109.0A EP4102141A1 (fr) 2021-06-11 2021-06-11 Mécanisme de sécurité

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EP4102141A1 true EP4102141A1 (fr) 2022-12-14

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Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3008399A1 (de) * 1980-03-05 1981-09-17 Küppersbusch AG, 4650 Gelsenkirchen Gas-raumheizungsgeraet
EP0621472B1 (fr) 1993-04-20 2000-05-31 Nalco Chemical Company Détection des fuites dans un système de chaudière
EP0976989B1 (fr) 1998-07-29 2002-02-06 Riello S.p.a. Circuit d'eau d'une chaudière mixte murale à gaz
CN104110869A (zh) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-22 青岛经济技术开发区海尔热水器有限公司 一种具有ch4、co、着火监测装置及报警功能的燃气热水器
EP2366962B1 (fr) 2001-07-12 2016-09-07 Luke Chamberlain Unité de chaudière
EP3279571A1 (fr) 2016-08-03 2018-02-07 Russi, Franco Système de contrôle pour une installation de chauffage et procédé de contrôle
EP3388756A1 (fr) * 2016-12-13 2018-10-17 Kiturami Co., Ltd. Chaudière à fonction de détection de gaz et de détection de tremblement de terre et son procédé de commande
US20190346131A1 (en) 2018-05-11 2019-11-14 Varo Teollisuuspalvelut Oy Detection of leakage in recovery boiler
CN210979822U (zh) 2019-10-21 2020-07-10 姚保朝 一种循环流化床锅炉防泄漏检测装置
EP3832224A1 (fr) * 2019-12-04 2021-06-09 Vaillant GmbH Appareil de chauffage à gaz équipé d'une détection de gaz nocif

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3008399A1 (de) * 1980-03-05 1981-09-17 Küppersbusch AG, 4650 Gelsenkirchen Gas-raumheizungsgeraet
EP0621472B1 (fr) 1993-04-20 2000-05-31 Nalco Chemical Company Détection des fuites dans un système de chaudière
EP0976989B1 (fr) 1998-07-29 2002-02-06 Riello S.p.a. Circuit d'eau d'une chaudière mixte murale à gaz
EP2366962B1 (fr) 2001-07-12 2016-09-07 Luke Chamberlain Unité de chaudière
CN104110869A (zh) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-22 青岛经济技术开发区海尔热水器有限公司 一种具有ch4、co、着火监测装置及报警功能的燃气热水器
EP3279571A1 (fr) 2016-08-03 2018-02-07 Russi, Franco Système de contrôle pour une installation de chauffage et procédé de contrôle
EP3388756A1 (fr) * 2016-12-13 2018-10-17 Kiturami Co., Ltd. Chaudière à fonction de détection de gaz et de détection de tremblement de terre et son procédé de commande
US20190346131A1 (en) 2018-05-11 2019-11-14 Varo Teollisuuspalvelut Oy Detection of leakage in recovery boiler
CN210979822U (zh) 2019-10-21 2020-07-10 姚保朝 一种循环流化床锅炉防泄漏检测装置
EP3832224A1 (fr) * 2019-12-04 2021-06-09 Vaillant GmbH Appareil de chauffage à gaz équipé d'une détection de gaz nocif

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EP4352420A1 (fr) 2024-04-17

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