JP2008128717A - Level meter and level measuring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a level meter manufacturable inexpensively capable of keeping measurement accuracy high even in a bad environment at a high temperature. <P>SOLUTION: This level meter for measuring a storage level of a measuring object stored in a heating furnace has a detection rod 12 whose tip part is to be brought into contact with the measuring object by being inserted into the heating furnace; a power part 16 equipped with a measuring scale 20 for suspending the detection rod 12, for winding or unwinding the measuring scale 20 by application of an electric signal, detecting the unwinding length of the measuring scale 20, and stopping unwinding operation of the measuring scale 20 by decrease of a tension pulling the measuring scale 20; an on-off valve 26 provided on an opening part of the heating furnace, to be opened when the detection rod 12 is inserted into the heating furnace; and a detection rod protection tube 28 provided between the power part 16 and the on-off valve 26, for covering the periphery of the detection rod 12. The insertion depth of the detection rod 12 into the heating furnace is set to be in a range wherein the rear end of the detection rod 12 remains in an internal space 30 of the detection rod protection tube 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a level meter and a level measurement system, and more particularly to a level meter and a level measurement system suitable for measuring a storage level of particulate matter stored in a heating furnace having a high temperature and a bad environment.

  In recent years, various technologies relating to the generation of energy using biomass, that is, the generation and use of bioenergy have been proposed. Under such circumstances, a technique for extracting a combustible gas (for example, hydrogen gas) from a wood material as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has attracted attention. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the combustible gas production efficiency is low, the production equipment is expensive, and the running cost is high.

  For these technologies, the thermal energy required for biomass gasification and reforming can be reused to reduce running costs, and equipment costs can be reduced by not using expensive equipment such as fluidized bed furnaces. Techniques for improving the extraction efficiency of combustible gas have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

  The techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 supplement the heat energy used for biomass gasification (pyrolysis) and reforming the pyrolyzed gas with a heat medium. Is used step by step for an application commensurate with the amount of heat it carries. And in patent document 2, using the combustion heat of the char (carbide) produced from biomass as a heat source for reusing the said heat medium and heating the heat medium to recycle is proposed. Patent Document 3 proposes using an alumina ball as a heat medium.

In such a gasification facility, the furnace temperature changes depending on the amount of the heat medium introduced into each heating furnace, which affects the reaction rate to the reformed gas, the thermal decomposition rate, and the like. For this reason, it is regarded as important to manage the amount of the heat medium introduced into each heating furnace. The measurement of the amount of the heat medium (level measurement) is almost always performed manually by the operator. Specifically, it is a method of measuring by inserting a rod-shaped member with a scale into the heating furnace and reading the insertion depth when the tip of the rod comes into contact with the heat medium.
JP 2005-281552 A Special table 2003-510403 gazette JP 2005-146056 A

  According to the measurement method as described above, level measurement can be reliably performed. However, in order to perform the above-described work, the worker is forced to make a great effort, and there is a risk of burns, suction of combustion gas, and the like. For this reason, it is desired to automate the level measurement in the heating furnace in the biomass processing facilities as disclosed in the cited documents 2 and 3.

  However, in the above facilities, there are generally known level meters due to the existence of a heating furnace having an internal temperature of 1000 ° C. or higher, and the fact that the heating furnace is filled with combustible gas and tar. Most of them have a reality that they cannot be used. For example, paddle switches and sounding level meters cannot be used from the viewpoint of heat resistance. Further, the ultrasonic level meter has a problem that ultrasonic waves are irregularly reflected in the heating furnace, resulting in a large measurement error. In addition, the microwave level meter is expensive and may cause the microwave to pass through a heat medium (a metal having a high dielectric constant) as a measurement target, resulting in a problem that a measurement error increases.

  As a level meter that solves such a problem and can cope with the biomass processing facilities disclosed in cited documents 2, 3 and the like, there is a radiation type level meter. However, this radiation type level meter is very expensive, and requires a procedure such as designation of a management area when used, which violates the requirement of reducing running costs and equipment costs. .

  Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is to provide a level meter that solves the above-described problems, can maintain high measurement accuracy even in a high temperature adverse environment, and can be installed relatively inexpensively. To do. A second object of the present invention is to provide a level measurement system that can reduce the labor of an operator and can safely perform a measurement operation.

  Considering the test results of the level meter, it can be seen that an indirect measurement method such as sound waves and electromagnetic waves is advantageous in terms of heat resistance, and a direct measurement method by contact is advantageous in terms of cost, accuracy, and the like. As a result, the level meter that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is a level meter that performs direct measurement, and has heat resistance and environmental resistance. Therefore, a level meter according to the present invention for achieving the first object includes a detection rod that is inserted into a heating furnace and brought into contact with an object to be measured, and a measurement rule that suspends the detection rod. The measuring rule is unwound or unwound by applying an electric signal, the unwinding length of the measuring rule is detected, and the unwinding operation of the measuring rule is stopped by reducing the tension pulling the measuring rule. A power unit to be opened, an opening / closing valve provided at an opening of the heating furnace and opened when the detection rod is inserted into the heating furnace, and provided between the power unit and the opening / closing valve. A detection rod protection tube covering the periphery of the rod, and the insertion depth of the detection rod to the heating furnace is set in a range where the rear end portion of the detection rod remains inside the detection rod protection tube Features.

  Further, in the level meter having the above-described features, a connecting rod provided between the detection rod and the measuring scale, a connecting rod protection tube provided between the detection rod protection tube and the power unit, And a seal member provided between the detection rod protection tube and the detection rod protection tube, and the reciprocating range of the connection rod is detected at the tip of the connection rod via the seal member. It is desirable to set it in the range where it is located on the tube side and the rear end portion is located on the connecting rod protection tube side through the seal portion.

  In addition to the above configuration, the detection rod and the connecting rod may be connected by a chain member or a flexible member. Further, an inert gas may be filled in the connecting rod protective tube.

In order to achieve the second object, a level measuring system according to the present invention includes a level meter having any one of the above-described configurations, and outputs an electric signal to a power unit provided in the level meter and the power A control unit that obtains an unwinding length of the measuring rule detected by the unit as an electric signal, and calculates an unwinding length of the measuring rule or a storage level of the measurement object in the heating furnace based on the electric signal; It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying the unwinding length of the measuring rule calculated by the control unit or the storage level of the measurement object in the heating furnace in a visible state.
Moreover, in the level measurement system having the above-described features, it is desirable that the control unit performs the opening / closing control of the opening / closing valve provided in the level meter.

According to the level meter having the above-described features, the measurement accuracy can be kept high even under a high temperature adverse environment, and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. In addition, a level bar can be used for a long time even in high temperature adverse environments by interposing a connecting bar between the measuring bar and the detecting bar to keep the ambient atmosphere of the measuring bar clean. It becomes possible. Moreover, according to the structure which connects a connection rod and a detection rod with a chain member etc., contact resistance with the protective tube which covers an outer periphery can be reduced, and erroneous measurement can be prevented. Furthermore, by filling the inside of the connecting rod protection tube with an inert gas, the airtightness inside the connecting rod protection tube can be improved, and the measuring scale and the like can be prevented from being contaminated. Therefore, the life of the level meter can be extended.
Moreover, according to the level measurement system having the above-described features, it is possible to reduce the labor of the worker and perform the measurement work safely.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments according to a level meter and a level measurement system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are some embodiments according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited only to the following embodiments.

  First, with reference to FIG. 6, a schematic configuration of a biomass processing facility 400 in which the level meter and the level measurement system of the present invention are employed will be described. The biomass processing facility 400 shown in FIG. 6 is a facility for heat-treating the organic biomass 110 and extracting combustible gas. A biomass processing facility 400 shown in FIG. 6 includes a gasification unit 410 that extracts a combustible gas from the biomass 110, a heat recovery unit 420 that recovers an excess amount of heat contained in the extracted combustible gas, and purifies the combustible gas. The gas cleaning unit 430 is basically configured.

  The gasification unit 410 includes three heating furnaces and a separation device 130 according to the present invention. The heating furnace includes a gasification furnace 100 that thermally decomposes the biomass 110 and extracts gas, a reforming furnace 200 that obtains reforming by reacting the pyrolysis gas extracted through the gasification furnace 100 with steam, and reforming There are three preheating furnaces 300 for preheating the heat medium to be put into the furnace. In the gasification unit 410 having such a configuration, each of the heating furnaces 100, 200, and 300 is heated by the following method. In addition, although there is room for various examination with a heat medium here, it may be a ceramic ball etc., for example.

  First, the heat medium radiated through the reforming furnace 200 and the gasification furnace 100 is stored in the reheating furnace 300. For this reason, the internal temperature of the preheating furnace 300 is maintained at about 400 ° C. by the preheating of the heat medium. Here, in order to use the heat medium as a heat source of the reforming furnace 200 as a reaction furnace, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the heat medium to about 1050 ° C. to 1100 ° C. At this time, the amount of heat required for heating the reheating furnace 300 is supplemented by the heat of combustion when the carbide (char) that is the residue of the biomass 110 is combusted.

  Next, in the reforming furnace 200, the extraction gas obtained by the thermal decomposition of the biomass 110 and the water vapor are reacted to obtain a combustible gas (for example, hydrogen). Therefore, the heating temperature of the furnace is 850. A temperature of about 1050 ° C. is required. A heat medium heated by the preheating furnace 300 is used as the heating source of the reforming furnace 200. Here, the reformed combustible gas is conveyed to a waste heat boiler 210 installed in the heat recovery unit 420. In addition, the heat medium that has finished serving as the heating source of the reforming furnace 200 is discharged to the gasification furnace 100.

  Since the gasification furnace 100 plays a role of thermally decomposing the biomass 110 to gasify it, the furnace temperature is required to be about 400 ° C. to 650 ° C. Since this temperature is sufficiently lower than the heating temperature of the reforming furnace 200 described above, even a heat medium that has absorbed heat in the reforming furnace 200 should be sufficiently used as a heating source for the gasification furnace 100. Can do. For this reason, the heat medium discharged from the reforming furnace 200 is reused as a heating source of the gasification furnace 100. Further, the gasification furnace 100 is supplied with steam extracted through a waste heat boiler 210 installed in the heat recovery unit 420, and this steam is used for reforming the extracted gas obtained by thermal decomposition. The Here, the steam supplied from the waste heat boiler 210 is generated when the combustible gas conveyed from the reforming furnace 200 is cooled. The biomass 110 that has been gasified to char and the heat medium that has absorbed heat by gasification of the biomass 110 are discharged from the gasification furnace 100 and input to the separation device 130.

  In the separation device 130, the finely divided char and the coarse heat medium are separated. Then, the separated char is transferred to the combustion furnace 120 as combustible material and converted into thermal energy, and the heat medium is transferred to the preheating furnace 300 and reused as a heat source.

  In the biomass processing facility 400 as described above, the level meter of the present invention is disposed in each heating furnace 100 (200, 300) of the preheating furnace 300, the reforming furnace 200, and the gasification furnace 100.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a preferred embodiment according to the level meter of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a standby mode, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a measurement mode. The level meter 10 of the present embodiment is configured based on a detection rod 12, a connection rod 14, a power unit 16, an on-off valve 26, a detection rod protection tube 28, a connection rod protection tube 32, and a seal portion 22.

  The detection rod 12 is a long rod-like member that is inserted into each of the heating furnaces 100 described above and that makes the tip end portion 12a contact a heat medium that is a measurement object. For this reason, the constituent member of the detection rod 12 is preferably a heat-resistant metal or ceramic. In addition, the structure of the detection rod 12 may be a solid member that does not have a cavity inside, or may be one in which the top and bottom of the pipe member are closed to make the inside hollow. When a pipe member is used as the constituent material, the detection rod 12 can be reduced in weight, and the load on the power unit 16, which will be described in detail later, can be reduced.

  The connecting rod 14 is a long rod-like member that connects the rear end portion 12b of the detecting rod 12 and a measuring ruler 20 that is unwound or wound around a power unit 16 to be described in detail later. Since the connecting rod 14 is not inserted into the heating furnace 100, various constituent members can be selected. However, it is desirable to avoid the elastic member having elasticity such as rubber or soft resin. This is because the connecting rod 14 is a member that connects the detection rod 12 and the measuring scale 20, and the expansion and contraction of the member affects the quality of measurement accuracy. In addition, the configuration of the connecting rod 14 may be a solid member or a pipe member, similar to the detection rod 12. In the present embodiment, a chain structure is adopted for connection between the connecting rod 14 and the detection rod 12. Specifically, the connecting holes provided in the connecting rod 14 and the detecting rod 12 are connected using a chain member (for example, a shackle or a simple chain) 24 (see FIG. 2). Such a connection structure gives freedom to the connection between the connection rod 14 and the detection rod 12, and reduces the resistance when the detection rod protection tube 28 and the detection rod 12, which will be described in detail later, come into contact with each other. Can contribute to the prevention of erroneous measurement.

  The power unit 16 includes at least a measuring rule 20, a rotating drum 18 for winding or unwinding the measuring rule 20, a motor (not shown) for rotating the rotating drum 18, and the In order to detect the unwinding length of the measuring rule 20, a detecting means (not shown) for outputting an electric signal (pulse) at a predetermined unwinding interval is provided. The measuring scale 20 may be a flexible material such as a tape made of a non-hygroscopic material such as nylon, the same material as the tape, or a metallic wire. By using a member having no hygroscopicity as a constituent member of the measurement rule 20, it is possible to prevent the measurement rule 20 from expanding and contracting due to the influence of humidity, thereby causing a measurement error. As the motor, a stepping motor or the like that enables a detailed feeding operation may be employed. Examples of the detecting means include one that detects a drive signal of the motor as an electric signal (pulse) and one that detects the number of rotations of the rotating drum 18 as an electric signal (pulse). In the case of the present embodiment, the connecting rod 14 and the detection rod 12 described above are connected to the tip of the measuring scale 20. By adopting such a configuration, a predetermined tension is applied to the measurement rule 20 when the measurement rule 20 is unwound. This tension acts as a load at the time of unwinding the motor that unwinds the measuring rule 20.

  Here, when the detection rod 12 suspended from the measurement rule 20 comes into contact with the measurement object (heat medium), the tension acting on the measurement rule 20 is weakened, and the load on the motor is reduced. When a reduction in load on the motor of the power unit 16 is detected, the power unit 16 stops unwinding the measuring rule 20. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the unwinding length of the measuring rule 20 based on the number of pulses detected by the detecting means from the measurement start time to the time when the motor stops. In addition, when employ | adopting a general purpose thing as the motive power part 16, a sounding type level meter can be employ | adopted, for example.

  The on-off valve 26 is provided in the measurement opening 104 (204, 304) provided in each heating furnace 100 described above (see FIG. 3), and when the detection rod 12 is inserted into the heating furnace 100, the opening / closing valve 26 is provided. This is for opening the measurement opening 104. As the on-off valve 26, a ball valve can be exemplified, and preferably, an electromagnetic on-off type ball valve can be exemplified. This is because, if the ball valve can be opened and closed by an electric signal, the valve can be opened and closed remotely, and the labor for opening and closing the valve can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the on-off valve 26 is directly provided in the opening part (measurement opening part 104) of a heating furnace, it is desirable to employ | adopt a thing with high heat resistance.

  The detection rod protection tube 28 is a tubular body that receives and protects the long detection rod 12 and serves as a guide for guiding the detection rod 12 to the on-off valve 26. In the case of the present embodiment, flange portions 28a and 28b are formed at both ends of the detection rod protection tube 28, and the opening / closing valve 26 and a connecting rod protection tube 32 to be described in detail later are connected via the flange portions 28a and 28b. It tries to connect.

  The connecting rod protection tube 32 is a tubular body for accommodating and protecting the long connecting rod 14 and securing a clean region therein. In the case of this embodiment, the internal space 30 of the detection rod protection tube 28 and the connecting rod protection tube 32 are provided by interposing a seal portion 22 described later in detail between the detection rod protection tube 28 connected to the distal end side. Confidentiality with the internal space 34 is ensured. The power unit 16 is connected to the rear end side of the connecting rod protection tube 32. Also, flange portions 32a and 32b similar to the above-described detection rod protection tube 28 are formed at both ends of the connecting rod protection tube 32, and the connection between the detection rod protection tube 28 and the power unit 16 is connected to the flanges. It is formed via the parts 32a and 32b.

  The seal portion 22 plays a role for ensuring confidentiality between the internal space 30 of the detection rod protection tube 28 and the internal space 34 of the connection rod protection tube 32 while allowing the connection rod 14 to pass therethrough. . The specific configuration is as shown in FIG. That is, it comprises a washer 22a, a dust seal 22e provided on the washer 22a, a dust seal retainer 22b for pressing the dust seal 22e, and a pair of packings 22c and 22d sandwiching the washer 22a and the dust seal retainer 22b.

  Here, the connecting rod 14 is disposed so as to penetrate through a hole formed in the seal portion 22. By adopting such an arrangement, the front end portion 14a of the connecting rod 14 is positioned on the detection rod protecting tube 28 side, and the rear end portion 14b is positioned on the connecting rod protecting tube 32 side. The connecting rod 14 arranged in this way slides in the hole formed in the seal portion 22 as the measuring portion 20 is unwound and wound by the power portion 16. The moving range is limited to the range of the body portion of the connecting rod 14. That is, the entire connecting rod 14 is not moved to the detecting rod protecting tube 28 side or the connecting rod protecting tube 32 side. As a specific configuration for realizing this, it is possible to provide stoppers (not shown) for limiting the sliding range at both ends of the connecting rod 14.

  The detection rod 12 is connected to the connecting rod 14 arranged as described above, protrudes outside the detection rod protection tube 28 via the on-off valve 26, and is inserted into the heating furnace 100. Become. At this time, the insertion range of the detection rod 12 with respect to the heating furnace 100 is a range in which at least the rear end portion 12b of the detection rod 12 remains in the internal space 30 of the detection rod protection tube 28, and the entire detection rod 12 or the connection rod 14 is inserted. It sets so that a part may not be inserted in the inside of the heating furnace 100. Therefore, a stopper (not shown) that prevents the detection rod 12 from coming out of the detection rod protection tube 28 may be provided at the rear end portion 12b of the detection rod 12. The sliding range of the connecting rod 14 and the insertion range of the detecting rod 12 may be controlled by the number of rotations of the motor in the power unit 16 or the like.

  When the storage level is measured using the level meter 10 having the above-described configuration, the following steps are performed. First, the on-off valve 26 is opened so that the detection rod 12 can protrude from the detection rod protection tube 28. Next, an electric signal is given to the power unit 16 to unwind the measuring rule 20. Since the connecting rod 14 and the detection rod 12 connected to the measuring ruler 20 serve as a so-called weight, a state in which a predetermined tension is applied to the wound measuring ruler 20 continues. While the measuring scale 20 is being unwound, pulses are output from the detection means in the power unit 16 at predetermined intervals. When the tip of the detection rod 12 protruding from the detection rod protection tube 28 due to unwinding of the measurement rule 20 comes into contact with the measurement object, the tension applied to the measurement rule 20 is weakened. In response to the weakening of the tension, that is, the reduction of the load on the motor, the power unit 16 stops the unwinding of the measuring rule 20.

  Level measurement is performed by calculating back the length (distance) based on the pulses output from the detection means until the unwinding of the measuring rule 20 stops. The power unit 16 winds the measurement rule 20 after stopping the unwinding of the measurement rule 20. After the detection rod 12 is accommodated inside the detection rod protection tube 28 by winding the measuring rule 20, the on-off valve 26 is closed.

  According to the level meter 10 having such a configuration, only the detection rod 12 having heat resistance is exposed to a high temperature adverse environment, and the detection rod 12 is only exposed to a high temperature adverse environment at the time of measurement. In addition, the measuring scale 20 having low heat resistance is unwound and wound up inside the connecting rod protection tube 32 via the connecting rod 14. Further, since the inner space 34 of the connecting rod protection tube 32 through which the connecting rod 14 enters and exits has a structure in which confidentiality is maintained by the seal portion 22, it is included in the combustion gas, combustion gas, etc. generated in the heating furnace 100. The tar or the like does not adhere to the main body of the power unit 16 or the measuring rule 20. Furthermore, since the on-off valve 26 is closed except during level measurement, it is not affected by heat or combustion gas during that time. For this reason, in the level meter 10 as described above, high measurement accuracy can be maintained even in a high temperature adverse environment. In addition, since a general-purpose sounding level meter can be used as the power unit 16, the facility cost can be kept relatively low.

  In the above embodiment, the chain member 24 is used for the connection between the connecting rod 14 and the detection rod 12. However, the connecting member may be a flexible member such as a wire or a tape that does not extend. In the above-described embodiment, the internal space 34 of the connecting rod protection tube 32 is simply structured to maintain airtightness. However, the internal space 34 is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or a rare gas, and the internal space 34 is filled. Can be configured to be gas-sealed. By setting it as such a structure, it becomes possible to improve the airtightness of the internal space 34 of the connecting rod protection tube 32. FIG.

Next, a level measurement system when the level meter 10 having the above configuration is applied to the biomass processing facility 400 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition to the heating medium supply opening 102 (202, 302), a measurement opening 104 (204, 304) is provided at the top of each heating furnace 100 (200, 300). The measurement opening 104 may be provided perpendicular to the horizontal plane, but in the present embodiment, the measurement opening 104 is arranged with an inclination angle θ. By arranging the measurement opening 104 in such a form, the elongated level meter 10 has a facility facility (for example, in the case of the gasification furnace 100, a reformer disposed at the top thereof) disposed at the top. Interference with the furnace 200 or the like) can be avoided. Moreover, since the heat medium supplied into the heating furnace 100 is a granular material, an angle of repose occurs during storage. Therefore, by providing the measurement opening 104 with the inclination angle θ, the angle at which the detection rod 12 is brought into contact with the heat medium stored with the angle of repose can be brought close to 90 °. Convenient.

  The level meter 10 having the above configuration is connected to the measurement opening 104 as described above. The connection may be made by bolting the flange provided on the opening / closing valve 26 of the level meter 10 and the flange provided on the measurement opening 104.

  The level meter 10 in the level measurement system 50 includes a control unit 54 and display counters 56 (56a to 56c). The control unit 54 acquires and acquires the output of the open / close signal to the open / close valve 26 provided in the level meter 10, the output of the measurement start signal to the power unit 16, and the pulse output from the detection means in the power unit 16. It is a control part which performs the calculation etc. of the storage level based on a pulse. The control unit 54 includes at least operating means (such as buttons) 54 (54a) for outputting a measurement start signal and a signal for opening and closing the on-off valve 26 to the level meters 10 provided in each heating furnace 100. ˜54c).

  The display counter 56 is a display means for displaying the heat medium storage level calculated by the control unit 54 as a visible state. As a display form of the storage level, one that directly displays the unwinding length of the measuring rule 20 or one that displays a value obtained by subtracting the unwinding length of the measuring rule 20 from the total length (depth) of the heating furnace 100 or the like. Can be mentioned.

  Note that the control unit 54 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with three operation means 54 in one unit so that the storage level of the heat medium in the preheating furnace 300, the reforming furnace 200, and the gasification furnace 100 can be individually measured. However, it is good also as a structure which measures the storage level in all the heating furnaces 100, 200, 300 simultaneously by using the operation means 54 as one. Of course, the control unit 54 may be divided into three parts. Further, in FIG. 3, the control unit 54 and the display counter 56 are shown as being provided as separate units, but instead of these, a computer (not shown) is introduced to display the storage level and output the measurement start signal. Etc. may be collectively controlled by a computer.

  By introducing the level measurement system 50 as described above into the biomass processing facility 400 as described above, the measurement of the storage level of the heat medium in each heating furnace 100 is performed by the operator using the control unit 54 or a computer. This can be performed simply by pressing the measurement start button (operation means 54). As a result, the labor of the worker is greatly reduced. In addition, the control unit 54, the display counter 56, the computer, and the like can be installed in a management room 52 or the like installed at a distance from the heating furnace 100. The person can be prevented from being exposed to danger such as burns or inhalation of combustion gas. In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the control unit 54 also operates to open and close the on-off valve 26 in the level meter 10, but an operator may operate only the on-off valve 26. By setting it as such a structure, equipment cost can be held down. In the above embodiment, it has been described that the measurement of the storage level of the heat medium is performed by the operator sequentially operating the operation means 54. However, by providing a timer, it is automatically performed at predetermined intervals. It is good also as a structure which implements level measurement by.

  The level meter 10 shown in the above embodiment can be the most preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention. However, embodiments according to the level meter of the present invention may include those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a simplified configuration of the level meter 10 according to the above-described embodiment. For this reason, most of the configuration is included in the configuration of the level meter 10 shown in FIG. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the function, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connecting rod 14 and the detection rod 12 are integrally formed. With such a configuration, the number of component parts can be reduced, so that the structure can be simplified and the number of steps required for assembly and the like can be reduced. In the level meter 10 having such a configuration, the installation angle of the level meter 10 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, or the insertion length of the detection rod 12 may be relatively short, that is, the detection rod 12 is relatively This is effective when the length can be shortened.

  Further, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a configuration in which the connecting rod 14, the connecting rod protective tube 32, and the seal portion 22 are eliminated and the configuration is extremely simplified. In such a configuration, the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced. The level meter 10 having such a configuration is effective when the degree of intrusion of combustion gas or the like into the internal space 30 of the detection rod protection tube 28 is small, that is, when the measurement cycle is long or the use frequency is low.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of suitable embodiment which concerns on the level meter of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the seal part in the level meter which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the level measurement system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of simplifying the structure of the level meter which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of making the level meter of the form shown in FIG. 4 into a further simple structure. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the biomass processing plant | facility where the level meter of this invention and a level measurement system are used.

Explanation of symbols

  10 ......... Level meter, 12 ......... Detecting rod, 14 ......... Connecting rod, 16 ......... Power section, 20 ......... Measurement scale, 22 ......... Seal section, 24 ......... Chain member, 26 ......... Open / close valve, 28 ... Detection rod protection tube, 32 ... Connecting rod protection tube, 50 ......... Level measurement system, 54 ......... Control unit, 56 (56a to 56c) ... counter.

Claims (6)

A level meter for measuring a storage level of a measurement object stored in a heating furnace,
A detection rod which is inserted into the heating furnace and brought into contact with the measurement object at the tip,
A measuring rule for hanging the detection rod is provided, and the measuring rule is wound or unwound by applying an electric signal, and the unwinding length of the measuring rule is detected to reduce the tension that pulls the measuring rule. A power unit for stopping the unwinding operation of the measuring scale,
An on-off valve provided at the opening of the heating furnace and opened when the detection rod is inserted into the heating furnace;
A detection rod protection tube provided between the power unit and the on-off valve and covering the detection rod;
The level gauge characterized in that the insertion depth of the detection rod into the heating furnace is set in a range in which the rear end portion of the detection rod remains inside the detection rod protection tube. A connecting rod provided between the detection rod and the measuring rule;
A connecting rod protection tube provided between the detection rod protection tube and the power unit;
A seal member provided between the detection rod protection tube and the detection rod protection tube;
The reciprocating range of the connecting rod is such that the leading end of the connecting rod is located on the detection rod protecting tube side via the seal member, and the rear end is located on the connecting rod protecting tube side via the seal portion. The level meter according to claim 1, wherein the level meter is set in a range.   The level meter according to claim 2, wherein the detection rod and the connecting rod are connected by a chain member or a flexible member.   The level meter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an inert gas is filled in the connecting rod protective tube. A level meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electric signal is output to the power unit provided in the level meter, and the unwinding length of the measuring rule detected by the power unit is acquired as an electric signal, and the unwinding length of the measuring rule is obtained based on the electric signal. Or a control unit for calculating the storage level of the measurement object in the heating furnace;
A level measurement system comprising: display means for displaying the unwinding length of the measuring rule calculated by the control unit or the storage level of the measurement object in the heating furnace in a visible state.   The level measurement system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to perform opening / closing control of an opening / closing valve provided in the level meter.

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