EP4174378A1 - Method for operating a heating device, computer program, storage medium, control and control device, heating device and use of a temperature sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a heater (1) is proposed, comprising the following steps: a) detecting a temperature in an area below the burner (3) of the heater (1), b) comparing the temperature detected in step a) with a Limit temperature, c) detecting a blocked outlet (14) of the combustion chamber (8) if the temperature detected in step a) is below the limit temperature in the comparison according to step b). The invention can in particular be used to detect a blocked outlet (14) of a heater (1) are used.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a heating device, a computer program, a storage medium, a regulation and control device, a heating device and the use of a temperature sensor.

As a rule, condensate also occurs during combustion in heating devices, for example the combustion of combustible gas such as natural gas or hydrogen. Often, the condensate is discharged from the combustor and heater to a drain through a drain, which may often include a siphon.

A blocked drain or siphon can obviously lead to problems. The condensate can no longer flow away and collects in the combustion chamber, where it can flow into the burner and/or further into the gas supply. This can cause considerable damage to the heater.

In the case of devices with flame detection based on ionization current, the ionization electrode can be arranged below the burner. If the (condensate) drain is blocked, the condensate could only collect up to the initiation electrode because the ionization current breaks off when the ionization electrode comes into contact with the condensate and the heater switches off due to the lack of flame detection. Such a system is for example in DE 10 2015 206 810 A1 described. The disadvantage of this solution is that it cannot be used in heaters with an incorrectly positioned ionization electrode and/or in heaters that have an alternative system for flame detection.

In the GB 2187 829A to prevent a blockage of a heater outlet, it is proposed to collect condensate in the heater in a container and then to empty the entire container via the outlet. This is intended to reduce the risk of the process being blocked.

The GB 249 7140 A proposes providing a connection piece in a drain pipe for the condensate, which has a switch which can be activated by the condensate flowing out inside the drain pipe. Through communication means, the switch can cause another switch to turn off the heater.

The US 5,024,595A discloses a system in which a flame monitoring circuit is closed when a certain condensate level in a collecting pipe is reached, and a gas supply to the heating unit is thus closed. However, this method can only be used for heaters with appropriate flame monitoring.

A particular disadvantage of the systems mentioned is their complexity, which, in addition to an increased probability of failure, also entails increased costs for production and assembly.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the invention to propose a method for operating a heating device which at least partially overcomes the problems of the prior art described. In particular, the method is intended to create a very simple and safe way of detecting a blockage in a (condensate) drain and preventing consequential damage.

In addition, the invention should at least not significantly increase the complexity of a heating device, require only minor structural changes to a heating device and enable simple integration into an existing production process.

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 einer Temperatur in einem Bereich unterhalb des Brenners des Heizgerätes,
2. b) Vergleichen der in Schritt a) erfassten Temperatur mit einer Grenztemperatur,
3. c) Erkennen eines blockierten Ablaufs der Brennkammer, wenn bei dem Vergleich gemäß Schritt b) die in Schritt a) erfasste Temperatur unter der Grenztemperatur liegt.

A method for operating a heater contributes to this, comprising the following steps:

1. a) detecting a temperature in an area below the burner of the heater,
2. b) comparing the temperature recorded in step a) with a limit temperature,
3. c) detecting a blocked outlet of the combustion chamber if, in the comparison according to step b), the temperature detected in step a) is below the limit temperature.

Steps a), b) and c) are generally carried out at least once in the specified sequence in a regular process sequence. In particular, it is possible to repeat steps a) to c) several times in succession in the specified order. It is also conceivable to carry out steps a) to c) permanently or at regular time intervals (every second or minute).

The invention can be used in particular to detect a blocked outlet of a heating device. A blockage of the drain would result in condensate no longer being able to drain from the combustion chamber of the heater and collecting in the combustion chamber, which can lead to considerable damage to the heater. The invention is based in particular on the idea that liquid condensate within a combustion chamber maximum temperature (usually around 100 °C) which is considerably below the temperature of an operating combustion chamber.

In principle, a method proposed here can be used in any heating device whose operation generates a significant amount of condensate. A use of the present invention in heating devices that do not have an ionization current-based flame detection appears to be particularly useful. However, the method proposed here can also be carried out without any problems in heaters with ionization current-based flame detection.

The heater is in particular a gas heater which is set up to burn a gaseous fuel such as natural gas or in particular hydrogen with the supply of ambient air in order to provide heat, for example for a heating circuit and/or a hot water supply. The heater generally has at least one burner and a delivery device (such as a fan) which delivers a mixture of fuel (gas) and combustion air through a mixture channel of the heater to the burner; then the exhaust gas produced by the combustion can be routed through an exhaust pipe of the heater to an exhaust system. In addition, the heater has a drain for condensate produced during combustion. The drain may include a siphon. The condensate can be fed to a suitable point, for example a sewer, via the drain and/or the siphon.

The drain is usually located at the lowest point of the combustion chamber to ensure that the condensate drains off as completely as possible. The drain often includes a siphon, that is to say a U-shaped area which closes the drain in a gas-tight manner, as a result of which it is possible to prevent external air from entering the combustion chamber. A blockage of the drain is often caused by or in the siphon. A blockage of the drain can result in a complete closure of the same, or also such a reduced drainage speed that the condensate cannot drain away quickly enough and collects in the combustion chamber. A "blockage" is understood here in particular to mean that the condensate cannot flow off or can only flow off to an insufficient extent.

According to a step a), a temperature is detected in an area below the burner of the heating device. In this case, in particular, a signal from a temperature sensor that is arranged in the area below the burner can be detected. By arranging it in an area below the burner, it can be ensured that condensate that does not flow off is detected before it reaches the burner above and, if necessary, the gas supply.

In principle, any desired temperature sensor can be used to detect the temperature according to step a). In particular, a resistance-based temperature sensor, for example an electrical thermistor or PTC thermistor, a platinum or silicon measuring resistor, or a semiconductor temperature sensor can be used.

According to a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor can be an ignition device, in particular a hot-surface igniter of the heating device, which should be arranged below the burner for carrying out a method proposed here. A hot-surface igniter has a temperature-dependent resistance and is therefore suitable as a temperature sensor. Advantageously, the complexity of a heating device is not increased and no additional components are required to carry out a method proposed here.

According to an advantageous embodiment, in step a), a temperature can also be detected outside of the combustion chamber in a position below the burner. Advantageously, a temperature sensor arranged there is easy to reach and through the Also easy to connect close to the wiring harness of the burner door. Last but not least, the temperature sensor in this position is not exposed to the corrosive and wear-promoting conditions inside the combustion chamber. When defining the limit temperature or when evaluating a signal from a temperature sensor arranged on the outside of the burner door, the heat conduction and the thermal properties of the burner door or burner wall must be taken into account. Last but not least, a delay in the signal due to the increased thermal mass of the sensor due to the inclusion of the burner door or burner wall should also be taken into account.

According to a step b), the temperature recorded in step a) is compared with a predetermined limit temperature. The limit temperature can be in a range of approx. 100° C. for a temperature sensor which is arranged inside the combustion chamber. In the case of a temperature sensor arranged outside the combustion chamber, the limit temperature can be below the 100° C. mentioned in order to compensate for heat conduction and heat capacity of the burner door or burner wall.

According to a step c), a blocked outlet of the heater is detected if, in the comparison according to step b), the temperature detected in step a) is below the limit temperature. The limit temperature is selected in particular in such a way that the presence of water can be detected on or in the immediate vicinity of the temperature sensor. The limit value is therefore well below the usual combustion chamber temperatures.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the heater can be switched off in a step d) after detecting a blocked outlet of the heater according to step c). In particular, this can result in the automatic stop of combustion in the heater.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, when a blocked process is detected according to step c), the heater can provide or send information about the blocked process in a step e). Advantageously, the heating device can thus automatically inform an operator, user or a specialist company about the blocked process and, if necessary, a shutdown of the heating device. In particular, the information can be provided or sent via a network, in particular the Internet. For example, after detecting a blocked outlet of the heater according to step c), the heater could automatically send information about this to a selected specialist company, which can plan and carry out a maintenance appointment to eliminate the blocked outlet.

The method is particularly suitable for operating the heater with hydrogen.

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 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, do this on a memory

(of the regulation and control unit) carry out stored procedures. In addition, one or more limit temperatures for carrying out a method presented here can also be stored in a memory of the regulation and control unit.

According to a further aspect, a heater with a closed-loop and open-loop control unit presented here is also proposed. The heater is in particular a gas heater with a gas burner and a delivery device which can deliver a mixture of gas (especially hydrogen) and combustion air to the gas burner.

According to a further aspect, a heating device is also proposed, having a temperature sensor which is arranged in an area below the burner of the heating device.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the heater, the temperature sensor can be arranged on the outside of the combustion chamber, in particular on the burner door or a burner wall of the heater.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the heater, it can be set up to switch itself off if a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is below a limit temperature.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the heater, the temperature sensor can be a temperature sensor for thermal flame detection of the heater. In this way, an already existing temperature sensor can advantageously be used to carry out a method proposed here.

According to a further aspect, a use of a temperature sensor is proposed, the temperature sensor below a burner in or outside of a Combustion chamber of a heater is arranged to detect a blocked (condensate) drain (the combustion chamber) of the heater.

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

A method for operating a heating device, a computer program, a storage medium, a regulation and control unit, a heating device and a use of a temperature sensor are thus specified here, which at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, the method and the heater contribute to providing a simple and reliable way of detecting a blocked condensate drain of a heater.

In addition, the invention can be implemented simply and inexpensively and does not increase the complexity of a heating device, or increases it only insignificantly. The invention can also be implemented on old devices without any problems.

• Fig. 1: einen Ablauf eines hier vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens,
• Fig. 2: ein hier vorgeschlagenes Heizgerät, und
• Fig. 3: eine Brennkammer eines hier vorgeschlagenen Heizgerätes.

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:

• 1 : a sequence of a method proposed here,
• 2 : a heater proposed here, and
• 3 : a combustion chamber of a heater proposed here.

1 shows an exemplary and schematic sequence of a method proposed here. The method is used to detect a blocked (condensate) outlet 14 of a heating device 1. The sequence of steps a), b) and c) shown in blocks 110, 120 and 130 can occur in a regular operating sequence. In particular, however, carrying out steps a) to c) simultaneously (permanently) or regularly at different times may appear sensible.

In block 110, according to step a), a temperature is detected in an area below the burner 3 of the heater 1. In block 120, according to step b), the temperature detected in step a) is compared with a limit temperature. In block 130, according to step c), a blocked outlet 14 of the combustion chamber 8 is detected.

2 shows a schematic example of a heater 1 proposed here. The heater 1 can have a supply of combustion air 4 to which combustion gas can be added via a gas valve 5 . The resulting combustion mixture can be fed to a burner 3 arranged in a combustion chamber 8 via a mixture channel 16 in which a conveying device 2 can be arranged. Combustion products that arise can be discharged from the combustion chamber 8 via an exhaust system 9 .

The heater 1 can also have a regulation and control device 7 that can be electrically connected to a temperature sensor 10 that can be electrically connected in the combustion chamber 8 below the burner 3 . In addition, the regulation and control device 7 can be electrically connected to the gas valve 5 , the delivery device 2 and an ignition device 6 . One A method proposed here can advantageously be carried out on the control I and control device 7 .

3 shows an example and schematically a combustion chamber 8 of a heater 1 proposed here. Combustion mixture can be fed to the burner 3 via the mixture channel 16 and burned with the formation of a flame 11 . The flame 11 can be monitored by a UV sensor 12. The combustion chamber 8 can also have an ionization electrode 13, which is also suitable for monitoring the flame 11. The temperature sensor 10 can be arranged below the ionization electrode 13 . UV sensor 12, burner 3, ionization electrode 13 and temperature sensor 10 can be arranged in a burner door 17, as a result of which electrical wiring can advantageously be simplified.

At the bottom, the combustion chamber 8 can have a (condensate) outlet 14 which can include a siphon 15 . If the outlet 14 is blocked, the condensate in the combustion chamber can rise to the level of the temperature sensor 10 and then cool it down to the condensate temperature, and thus below the limit temperature. According to the method proposed here, the heating device 1 would now switch off, as a result of which a further rise in the condensate level in the combustion chamber 3 can be prevented. Damage to the heating device 1, in particular to the burner 3, can thus be effectively prevented.

Reference List

1

heater

2

conveyor

3

burner

4

supply of combustion air

5

gas valve

6

ignition device

7

regulation and control unit

8th

combustion chamber

9

exhaust system

10

temperature sensor

11

flame

12

UV sensor

13

ionization electrode

14

Sequence

15

siphon

16

mixture channel

17

burner door

Claims (13)

Method for operating a heating device (1), comprising at least the following steps: a) detecting a temperature in an area below the burner (3) of the heater (1), b) comparing the temperature recorded in step a) with a limit temperature, c) detection of a blocked outlet (14) of the combustion chamber (8) if, in the comparison according to step b), the temperature detected in step a) is below the limit temperature. Method according to claim 1, wherein in a step d) after a blocked process (14) has been detected according to step c), the heating device is switched off. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step e) after recognizing a blocked process (14) according to step c), the heating device (1) provides or sends information about the blocked process (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step a) a temperature is detected on the outside of a burner door (17) in an area below the burner (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the heating device (1) is operated with hydrogen. Computer program set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 6 is stored. Regulating and control device (7) for a heating device (1), set up to carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 5. Heating device (1) having a regulating and control device (7) according to Claim 8. Heating device (1) having a temperature sensor (10) arranged below the burner (3) of the heating device (1). A heater according to claim 10, wherein the temperature sensor (10) is located on the outside of the burner door. Heating device (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the heating device (1) is set up to switch off if a temperature detected by the temperature sensor (10) is below a limit temperature. Use of a temperature sensor (10), which is arranged below a burner (3) in a heating device (1), for detecting a blocked outlet (14) of the heating device (1).

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