EP4187151A1 - Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system - Google Patents

Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4187151A1
EP4187151A1 EP21210342.8A EP21210342A EP4187151A1 EP 4187151 A1 EP4187151 A1 EP 4187151A1 EP 21210342 A EP21210342 A EP 21210342A EP 4187151 A1 EP4187151 A1 EP 4187151A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flame
combustion
sensor
gas
appliance
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Withdrawn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
EP21210342.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Job Rutgers
Chiel ter BRAAK
Ruud Boersen
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 EP21210342.8A priority Critical patent/EP4187151A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2022/083293 priority patent/WO2023094597A1/en
Priority to EP22822423.4A priority patent/EP4437274A1/de
Publication of EP4187151A1 publication Critical patent/EP4187151A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N1/00—Regulating fuel supply
    • F23N1/002—Regulating fuel supply using electronic means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/02—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
    • F23N5/08—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using light-sensitive elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/02—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
    • F23N5/10—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using thermocouples
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/16—Systems for controlling combustion using noise-sensitive detectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23C—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN  A CARRIER GAS OR AIR 
    • F23C2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for combustion apparatus using fluid fuels or solid fuels suspended in air; Combustion processes therefor
    • F23C2900/9901—Combustion process using hydrogen, hydrogen peroxide water or brown gas as fuel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2229/00—Flame sensors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a flame acquisition system for a combustion appliance. Additionally, the invention relates to a combustion appliance comprising said flame acquisition system and the use of the flame acquisition system to convert a hydrocarbon gas boiler into a gas boiler for the combustion of pure hydrogen. Also, the invention relates to a method for retrofitting a combustion appliance.
  • the emission of carbon dioxide is one of the most relevant factors contributing to the pollution in environment. Since the contribution from the building sector is continuously increasing in the last decades, there is the need to reduce CO 2 emissions from this sector. Heating of spaces and heating of water are the two major causes of energy consumption and CO 2 emission from the building sector. Inefficient boilers and carbon-intensive power can further worsen this problem.
  • gas boilers combust gas fuel to heat water for domestic use and/or central heating systems in buildings.
  • the market is looking into cleaner alternatives for combusting natural gas.
  • gas boilers combusting pure hydrogen are boilers to which fuel gas is supplied that comprises at least 90 mol% hydrogen.
  • natural gas (or propane) boilers on the market which are only suitable to combust up to 20% hydrogen into the gas blend (according to the specifications).
  • propane natural gas
  • current boilers on the market are not directly suitable for combustion of hydrogen and important modifications are needed to possibly convert a standard natural gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler. These modifications are in most cases expensive and time consuming.
  • a ionization signal is used to acquire the flame in a hydrocarbon (i.e. natural gas) boiler.
  • a hydrocarbon i.e. natural gas
  • UV signal and/or temperature signal can be used to acquire the flame in a hydrogen boiler. Therefore, for converting a natural gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler, a control unit must be modified (e.g. reprogrammed and/or changed from the structural point of view) or a new control unit must be installed to acquire the flame signal (UV or temperature).
  • Prior art fails to address the problem of converting a gas boiler combusting a type of fuel gas, such as natural gas, into a gas boiler combusting another type of fuel gas, such as pure hydrogen as regards the flame acquisition mechanism. Also, the prior art documents are not suitable to provide a solution that is cost effective and safe.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a flame acquisition system that is easy to implement, cost-effective, safe, and that is effective in converting a natural gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler.
  • a flame acquisition system for a combustion appliance for combusting a combustion gas in particular for a gas boiler, the system comprising at least a flame sensor to acquire the presence of a flame and for generating a flame signal, the flame sensor being connectable to a control system of the combustion appliance for controlling the combustion appliance, and a converter connectable to the flame sensor to convert the flame signal generated by the flame sensor into an electrical current used by the control system for controlling the combustion appliance.
  • the present flame acquisition system it is possible to upgrade a combustion appliance such as a conventional hydrocarbon (i.e. natural gas) gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler in a very easy and safe way. Also, the conversion is cost effective since it can be realized without changing the measurement circuit of the controller of the starting gas boiler. Upgrading the combustion appliance can be intended that a conventional hydrocarbon gas boiler can be provided with an additional functionality of detecting the presence of a flame also in case the fuel gas does not comprise carbon containing compounds.
  • a combustion appliance such as a conventional hydrocarbon (i.e. natural gas) gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler in a very easy and safe way.
  • the conversion is cost effective since it can be realized without changing the measurement circuit of the controller of the starting gas boiler. Upgrading the combustion appliance can be intended that a conventional hydrocarbon gas boiler can be provided with an additional functionality of detecting the presence of a flame also in case the fuel gas does not comprise carbon containing compounds.
  • control system is configured to control the settings of the combustion appliance based on a determined current flowing in its circuit.
  • this is a control system for an appliance combusting hydrocarbon gas (i.e. natural gas or LPG (CxHy)) and the current is a so called ionization current that is usually generated by an ionization electrode.
  • the present flame acquisition system is used to convert the flame signal coming from the flame sensor (adapted to acquire a flame generated by the combustion of a gas different form a hydrocarbon gas, for example pure hydrogen) into an electrical current or ionization signal that is an imitation of a ionization current that can be used by the control system to control the combustion appliance.
  • the control system can maintain the functionality of controlling the settings of the appliance by receiving an electrical signal derived by the acquisition of a flame that is not necessarily generated by the combustion of hydrocarbon gas.
  • the combustion gas comprises air and fuel gas.
  • a fan for supplying air to the air combustion can be controlled based on the electrical current or ionization signal.
  • a gas valve for supplying the fuel gas to the combustion appliance can be controlled based on the electrical current or ionization signal.
  • the control system can control the fan of the combustion appliance and/or the gas valve of the combustion appliance on the basis of the flame signal.
  • combustion appliances can include furnaces, water heaters, boilers, direct/in-direct make-up air heaters, power/jet burners and any other residential, commercial or industrial combustion appliance.
  • a combustion appliance can be modulated over a plurality of burner loads, with each burner load requiring a different flow rate of fuel gas resulting in a different heat output. At higher burner loads, more fuel gas and more air are typically provided to the burner, and at lower burner loads less fuel gas and less air are typically provided to the burner.
  • the flame sensor is a sensor by means of which at least the presence of a flame is detected.
  • the flame sensor can be configured to acquire further information by means of which it is possible to determine the air to fuel gas ratio of a mixture supplied to a burner of the combustion appliance and/or the fuel gas flow rate supplied to the burner.
  • the converter can comprise a flame acquisition control unit and a switch element located between the control system and the flame sensor, wherein the flame acquisition control unit is connected to the flame sensor and the switch element and is configured to trigger the switch element based on the acquisition of the flame by the flame sensor, thereby causing an electrical current to flow from the flame sensor to the control system.
  • the flame acquisition control unit can monitor the flame sensor to determine the acquisition of a corresponding flame signal and can control the switch element based on the acquisition of the flame signal.
  • the switch element connects the flame sensor to the control system of the combustion appliance In a first configuration, the switch element is in an open position, meaning that no electrical current flows into the control system coming from the flame sensor. In a second configuration, the switch element is in a close position, meaning that there is an electrical current flowing into the control system.
  • the flame acquisition control unit triggers the switch element to pass from the first to the second configuration and causing an electrical current to flow into the control system. The flowing current is intended by the control system as an ionization current and the combustion appliance can be controlled accordingly.
  • the flame sensor can be at least one of:
  • All these sensors properly located in the combustion appliance, can acquire the presence of the flame in the burner using different physical principles. Based on the characteristics of these sensors, it is possible to combine more of them for improving the performance of the flame acquisition system. In particular, it is possible by using for example the UV sensor to determine the amount of fuel gas and/or the air to fuel gas ratio of the mixture supplied into the burner of the combustion appliance.
  • the flame acquisition control unit can be part of an appliance control unit to control the combustion appliance or the flame acquisition control unit can be separated from said appliance control unit.
  • the flame acquisition control unit can be integrated in the control board or printed circuit board of the combustion appliance. This can be the appliance control unit present to manage and control the functionalities of the appliance. In this way, the control board already installed in the original combustion appliance can be also used to control the flame acquisition system in the upgraded appliance.
  • the flame acquisition control unit is not integrated in the control board or printed circuit board of the combustion appliance and is separated from that.
  • the flame acquisition control unit can be part of another printed circuit board.
  • the flame sensor can be suitable for detecting a flame generated by the combustion of hydrogen gas.
  • a fuel gas that comprises at least 20 mol%, in particular at least 90 mol%, hydrogen.
  • the flame acquisition control unit can be configured to set an operating mode of the combustion appliance based on a flame acquisition signal acquired by the flame sensor.
  • the appliance settings can be adapted to the presence of a combustion gas different from hydrocarbon gas, such as hydrogen gas.
  • a combustion appliance can be modulated over a plurality of burner loads, with each burner load requiring a different flow rate of fuel resulting in a different heat output. At higher burner loads, more fuel and more air are typically provided to the burner, and at lower burner loads less fuel and less air are typically provided to the burner. Accordingly, the acquisition of a flame generated by the combustion of a hydrogen gas can determine for example a reconfiguration of the modulation modes.
  • a combustion appliance in particular a gas boiler, the combustion appliance comprising an inventive flame acquisition system.
  • combustion appliances can include furnaces, water heaters, boilers, direct/in-direct make-up air heaters, power/jet burners and any other residential, commercial or industrial combustion appliance.
  • the appliance can be selectively configured to combust a gas comprising carbon containing compounds and/or a gas without carbon containing compounds.
  • the present flame acquisition system can be used to acquire the flame generated by a combustion gas without carbon containing compounds, such as hydrogen.
  • the combustion appliance comprises a burner and a combustion chamber and the flame sensor can be located in the burner and/or the combustion chamber.
  • the combustion appliance can comprise a gas valve to control the inflow of the combustion gas, wherein the gas valve can be controlled electronically or pneumatically.
  • a flame acquisition signal acquired by the flame sensor can be used to control an excess air factor. This is possible if the flame acquisition signal comprises information by means of which the fuel gas supplied to a burner of the combustion appliance can be determined. By adapting the gas valve position the air to fuel gas ratio of the mixture can be set
  • the combustion appliance can be originally designed for the combustion of hydrocarbons.
  • the combustion appliance including the present flame acquisition system can be used also when the combustion gas comprises at least 90 mol% hydrogen.
  • the use of the inventive flame acquisition system for converting a hydrocarbon gas boiler into a gas boiler for the combustion of pure hydrogen is provided.
  • the gas boiler conversion can be easy to realize and can be safe and effective for a the operation of a hydrogen boiler.
  • a method for retrofitting a combustion appliance in particular a gas boiler is provided.
  • the combustion appliance is designed for combusting a gas mixture including hydrocarbons and the method comprises:
  • installing the flame acquisition system comprises connecting the flame sensor and the converter to the control system of the combustion appliance Also, updating the setting parameters can occur automatically by detecting a flame acquisition signal acquired by the flame sensor.
  • a flame acquisition system 1 is shown.
  • the system 1 basically comprises a flame sensor 4 and a converter 5 connected to the flame sensor 4.
  • the flame sensor 4 can be a UV sensor or a thermic sensor configured to acquire the presence of a flame generated at the burner of a combustion appliance 2 for starting the ignition process.
  • the flame acquisition system 1 is connected to a control system 3 of the combustion appliance 2.
  • the control system 3 is configured to control the settings of the combustion appliance 2 based on a determined current (ionization current) flowing in its circuit.
  • the flame sensor 4 generates a flame signal upon detecting the flame and the converter 5 converts the flame signal generated by the flame sensor 4 into an electrical current (i.e. the ionization current) used by the control system to control the appliance 2.
  • the combustion appliance 2 is a conventional hydrocarbon (i.e. natural gas or LPG (CxHy)) gas boiler. Therefore, the control system 3 is a ionization circuit for receiving a ionization current generated by an ionization electrode.
  • the flame acquisition system 1 i.e. by connecting the system 1 to the control system 3 of the appliance 2, it is possible to convert the conventional combustion appliance 2 into an appliance using pure hydrogen as fuel gas.
  • the flame sensor 4 is suitable to acquire a flame generated by the combustion of a fuel gas devoid of carbon containing compounds, such as pure hydrogen.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates in detail the functioning of a control system 3 used in a conventional hydrocarbon gas boiler.
  • the control system 3 comprise at least a ionization electrode 8 for detecting the flame generated by the combustion of a gas with carbon containing compounds.
  • the ionization electrode 8 is used to acquire a ionization signal (ionization current) that the control system 3 can use to control the appliance 2.
  • This current is present only if there is a flame and if the gas is a carbon one e.g. natural gas or LPG (CxHy).
  • Carbon containing compounds present in the gas reduces the resistance of the flame allowing the passage of an electrical current so that by measuring the electrical current it is known whether there is a flame and whether the combustion gas comprises carbon containing compounds.
  • the control system 3 comprises an amplifier 9 for amplifying the ionization current and an appliance control unit 7 for managing the received ionization current and controlling the appliance 2 settings.
  • FIGs 3A and 3B describe the application of the flame acquisition system 1 according to two examples.
  • the converter 5 of the flame acquisition system 1 comprises a flame acquisition control unit 6 and a switch element 10, whereas in one example the flame acquisition control unit 6 is separated by the appliance control unit 7 of the control system 3 ( figure 3A ) and in the other example, the flame acquisition control unit 6 is part of the appliance control unit 7 of the control system 3 ( figure 3B ).
  • the flame acquisition control unit 6 is connected (directly or indirectly) to the switch element 10 and to the flame sensor 4.
  • the switch element 10 is electrically connected to the ionization electrode 8 and is configured to open or to close the electrical connection with said electrode 8.
  • the flame acquisition control unit 6 detects a flame signal and the switch element 10 is triggered in a close position to allow the flowing of an electrical current in the control system 3.
  • the flame signal is used as an electrical current passing through the ionization electrode 8.
  • This electrical current (flame signal) is interpreted by the control system 3 as a ionization current and is used to control the combustion appliance 2 as if the ionization electrode 8 would have been detected a ionization signal generated by the ionization of a fuel gas with carbon containing compounds.
  • Figure 4 schematically illustrates the steps of a method 100 for retrofitting a combustion appliance 2.
  • the method 100 can be used to convert a combustion appliance such as a natural gas boiler into a hydrogen boiler.
  • the method 100 comprises the step of installing a flame acquisition system.
  • the flame sensor 4 and the converter 5 are connected to the control system 3.
  • the method 100 comprises updating the setting parameters of the combustion appliance 2 for the combustion of, in partiuclar pure, hydrogen.
  • a control unit comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) is provided.
  • Hydrogen combustion requires at least different parameter settings compared to natural gas combustion.
  • the setting parameters of the combustion appliance must be updated when installing the present flame acquisition system 1, i.e. when converting the combustion appliance from a natural gas boiler to a hydrogen boiler.
  • the update can be performed by automatically detecting pure hydrogen in the gas mixture, for example using a hydrogen detector suitably located in the combustion appliance 2.
  • the updating of parameters can be carried out by the installer operator or by replacing the control board (PCB).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Regulation And Control Of Combustion (AREA)
EP21210342.8A 2021-11-25 2021-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system Withdrawn EP4187151A1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21210342.8A EP4187151A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2021-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system
PCT/EP2022/083293 WO2023094597A1 (en) 2021-11-25 2022-11-25 Flame acquisition system and method of retrofitting a combustion appliance with the system
EP22822423.4A EP4437274A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2022-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zum nachrüsten einer verbrennungsvorrichtung mit dem system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21210342.8A EP4187151A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2021-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4187151A1 true EP4187151A1 (de) 2023-05-31

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EP21210342.8A Withdrawn EP4187151A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2021-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zur umrüstung einer verbrennungsanlage mit dem system
EP22822423.4A Pending EP4437274A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2022-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zum nachrüsten einer verbrennungsvorrichtung mit dem system

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22822423.4A Pending EP4437274A1 (de) 2021-11-25 2022-11-25 Flammenerfassungssystem und verfahren zum nachrüsten einer verbrennungsvorrichtung mit dem system

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EP (2) EP4187151A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2023094597A1 (de)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5625342A (en) * 1995-11-06 1997-04-29 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Plural-wavelength flame detector that discriminates between direct and reflected radiation
JP2010071579A (ja) * 2008-09-19 2010-04-02 Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd 燃焼状態監視装置及び燃焼状態監視方法
WO2021165032A1 (en) * 2020-02-19 2021-08-26 Pittway Sarl Flame monitoring device for a gas burner appliance and gas burner appliance

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5625342A (en) * 1995-11-06 1997-04-29 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Plural-wavelength flame detector that discriminates between direct and reflected radiation
JP2010071579A (ja) * 2008-09-19 2010-04-02 Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd 燃焼状態監視装置及び燃焼状態監視方法
WO2021165032A1 (en) * 2020-02-19 2021-08-26 Pittway Sarl Flame monitoring device for a gas burner appliance and gas burner appliance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2023094597A1 (en) 2023-06-01
EP4437274A1 (de) 2024-10-02

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