MX2007009363A

MX2007009363A - Method, apparatus and system for controlling a gas-fired heater.

Info

Publication number: MX2007009363A
Application number: MX2007009363A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Ronnie Cook
Original assignee: Sure Fire Pilotless Burner Sys
Priority date: 2005-02-01
Filing date: 2006-01-31
Publication date: 2007-12-07
Also published as: WO2006083956A3; WO2006083956A2; CA2596642A1; US20100248170A1; US20060172238A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for controlling a gas-fired heater (102) connected to a fuel source (110) via a fuel source valve (114) that includes one or more power sources (118, 120), a temperature sensor (122), a pilotless igniter (116) disposed within the gas-fired heater, a flame sensor (116) disposed within the gas-fired heater and a controller (124) electrically connected to the one or more power sources, the temperature sensor (122), the pilotless igniter (116), the flame sensor (116) and the fuel source valve. The controller (124) turns the pilotless igniter (116) on for a first time period and opens the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor (122) indicates that a temperature is less than or equal to a low temperature setting. The controller (124) also closes the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a high temperature setting or the flame sensor (116) indicates that a flame has gone out.

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A GAS IGNITION HEATER FIELD OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention relates to the field of control systems, and in particular to a method, apparatus and system for controlling a gas ignition heater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Without limiting the scope of the invention, the background of the invention is described with respect to well head equipment for oil and gas wells in regions experiencing extremely cold winters, such as at high altitudes or in Alaska, Canada, Siberia, etc. When the temperature drops to freezing, or at a temperature that could disrupt normal operations, wellhead equipment, which is installed in an oil or gas producing well to control and regulate the flow of oil or gas, can be frozen and stop working. These freezes are very expensive because valuable production is lost and trained workers have to be sent to the well site to solve the freeze and restore oil or gas production from the well. In addition, it is difficult and often dangerous to travel to these well sites that are normally in remote areas that are difficult to access. It is also difficult and dangerous to work in freezing conditions. Similarly, in some oil and gas wells a heater is required for the well to produce regardless of the ambient temperature. For example, oil and gas wells containing large amounts of paraffin should be heated to maintain a product viscosity that allows product transfer. In other words, the product has a pasty texture or is almost solid unless heated. As a result, these wells must be heated throughout the year. For years, many systems have been proposed to heat the wellhead equipment when the temperature falls below a specific temperature, such as the freezing temperature (zero degrees Celsius), or when the product must be heated so that it can be heated. move. The most commonly used system is the installation of a gas-fired heater at the well site to heat the wellhead equipment. Other more expensive and complicated heavy maintenance solutions have been proposed, such as insulation jackets (for example, see U.S. Patent No. 5,049,724, issued to Anderson on September 17, 1991), infrared heaters (e.g. , see U.S. Patent No. 6,776,227, issued to Beida et al. on August 17, 2004), and an engine cooler (e.g., see U.S. Patent No. 6,032,732, issued to Yewell on March 7, 2000). Frequently these more sophisticated heating systems are not feasible for remote areas that are most likely to have freezes, because they usually require the installation and maintenance of additional equipment, and the storage of refined fuels to operate the heaters. On the other hand, gas-fired heaters are often supplied with natural gas diverted from the well, which reduces the amount of equipment that must be installed and maintained. However, these gas-fired heaters typically rely on pilot flames to ignite the heaters. These permanent pilots usually light up in the late fall or early winter and turn off until the middle or late spring. However, many times these pilots turn off, especially in bad weather. When the pilot flame goes out and the heater is activated, the fuel gas is blown off (wasted), the wellhead equipment is frozen, production volumes are reduced and operator time is consumed. In addition, combustible gas presents many safety and environmental problems. As a result, these existing gas ignition heaters can be expensive due to the loss of combustible gas, loss of production, loss of productivity of employees, safety considerations of manual ignition heaters, and environmental considerations of the gas vent. Although unlaunched heaters have been used for commercial and residential applications for some time, these systems would not survive or would not work properly under severe environmental conditions at the well site (eg cold, wind, moisture, corrosive elements, dirty fuel, etc.). As a result, there is a need for a system, method and apparatus for controlling a gas ignition heater that is safe, durable, efficient, cheap and reliable, and that eliminates the need for unsafe pilot ignition procedures, which reduces the ejection of natural gas into the atmosphere caused by the extinction of the pilot's flame or main boiler tube, which reduces the time of assistance of the human operator and emergency calls due to flame extinctions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for controlling a gas ignition heater that is safe, durable, efficient, inexpensive and reliable, and that eliminates the need for unsafe pilot flame procedures, which reduces the ejection of natural gas to the atmosphere caused by the extinction of the pilot's flame or main boiler tube, which reduces the time of assistance of the human operator and the emergency calls by extinction of the flame, and which eliminates the freezing due to the extinction of the flame of the pilot or main boiler tube. In addition, the present invention reduces the cost of well head operations using any boiler tube application. Conservatively, savings can approximate a two-year pay for system users. The savings is obtained because there is no longer a pilot that can be on for six months a year or more. There is also a saving by reducing the production loss experienced when the boiler equipment of the well head is inoperative. The present invention increases safety because there are no open flames on the site, no pilot to turn on, no ignition procedures, no freezing due to a pilot switching off, the solenoid valve is infallible, the electronics is infallible, and the plate The base was built with protection in case the cables are wrongly connected. In addition, the present invention can provide many features, such as an integrated solar panel charge controller, a green light to indicate if the system is working properly or if there is a problem when the green light flashes, a reset button, and option of communication with the existing telemetry to send a signal in case of system stop, and a communication option of a tank level indicator to see if the water level drops below the ignition tube. The present invention can be used in any application of boiler tube or gas ignition heater, such as well heads, natural gas processing plants and natural gas liquids, natural gas purification plants and natural gas liquids, and complexes petrochemicals. More specifically, the present invention provides a system for controlling a gas ignition heater connected to a fuel source by means of a fuel source valve, which includes one or more sources of energy, a temperature sensor, a fuel ignition without pilot arranged inside the gas-fired heater, a flame sensor arranged inside the gas-fired heater, and a controller electrically connected to the power sources (one or more), to the temperature sensor, to the ignition device without pilot, to the temperature sensor and to the fuel source valve. The controller turns on the ignition device without a pilot for a first period and opens the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature. The controller also closes the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or the flame sensor indicates that the flame has been turned off. Power sources (one or more) may include a battery, a solar panel, a generator, an AC electrical outlet, or a battery that is recharged by a solar panel. The temperature sensor can indicate if the temperature is less than or equal to the pre-set low temperature by sending a low temperature signal to the controller, and can indicate if the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature by sending a high temperature signal to the controller . The pre-set low temperature and the preset high temperature can be set on the temperature sensor or on the controller.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a gas ignition heater connected to a fuel source by means of a fuel source valve, which includes a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, a fifth connector, and a processor connected to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth connector. During the operation, the processor receives energy from the power sources (one or more) by means of the first connector, ignites a pilot ignition device during a first period by means of the third connector, and opens the fuel source valve by means of the fifth connector, provided that the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a preset low temperature by means of the second connector. The processor closes the fuel source valve by means of the fifth connector, provided that the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-established high temperature by means of the second connector, or a flame sensor indicates that it has been turned off the flame through the fourth connector. The present invention also provides a method for controlling a gas ignition heater connected to a fuel source by means of a fuel source valve, igniting a pilot ignition device during a first period and opening the fuel source valve provided that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature, and closing the fuel source valve whenever the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature or a flame sensor indicates that the flame has been turned off. It is to be noted that the present invention can be practiced using a computer program incorporated into a computer readable medium, wherein the steps described above are executed using one or more code segments. In addition, the present invention provides control equipment for a gas ignition heater connected to a fuel source by means of a fuel source valve, which includes a battery, a temperature sensor, a pilot ignition device for its installation inside the gas-fired heater, a flame sensor for installation inside the gas-fired heater, and a controller. The controller has a first connector for the battery, a second connector for the temperature sensor, a third connector for the ignition device without a pilot, a fourth connector for the flame sensor, and a fifth connector for the fuel source valve . The controller is configured or programmed to turn on the ignition device without a pilot for a first period and open the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature. The controller is also configured or programmed to close the fuel source valve whenever the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature, or the flame sensor indicates that the flame has been turned off.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which are given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a control system of an ignition heater of gas according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a controller of a gas ignition heater according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3A and 3B are flow diagrams of a method for controlling a gas ignition heater according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4A and 4B are flow diagrams of a method for controlling a gas ignition heater according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 5A and 5B are flow diagrams of a method for controlling a gas ignition heater according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although the embodiment and use of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below with respect to a pilotless ignition device system, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be practiced in a wide variety of specific contexts, including, without limitation, any application of boiler tube or gas ignition heater, such as well heads, natural gas processing plants and natural gas liquids, natural gas purification plants and liquids natural gas, and petrochemical complexes. As a result, the terminology used and the specific embodiments set forth herein are only illustrative of the specific embodiments and use of the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for controlling a gas ignition heater that is safe, durable, efficient, inexpensive and reliable, and that eliminates the need for unsafe pilot flame procedures, which reduces the ejection of natural gas to the atmosphere caused by the extinction of the pilot's flame or main boiler tube, which reduces the time of assistance of the human operator and the emergency calls due to extinctions of the flame, and eliminates the freezing due to the extinction of the pilot's flame or main boiler tube. In addition, the present invention reduces the cost of well head operations using any boiler tube application. Conservatively, savings can approximate a two-year pay for system users. The savings is obtained because there is no longer a pilot that can be on for six months a year or more. There is also a saving by reducing the production loss experienced when the boiler equipment of the well head is inoperative. The present invention increases safety because there are no open flames on the site, no pilot to turn on, no ignition procedures, no freezing due to a pilot switching off, the solenoid valve is infallible, the electronics is infallible, and the plate The base was built with protection in case the cables are wrongly connected. In addition, the present invention can provide many features, such as an integrated solar panel charge controller, a green light to indicate if the system is working properly or if there is a problem when the green light flashes, a reset button, and option of communication with the existing telemetry to send a signal in the event of system shutdown, and a communication option of a tank level indicator to see if the water level drops below the ignition tube. The present invention can be used in any application of boiler tube or gas ignition heater, such as well heads, natural gas processing plants and natural gas liquids, natural gas purification plants and natural gas liquids, and petrochemical complexes. During operation, a signal from the medium to be heated alerts the control processor of the need to heat (pre-set low temperature). Then the processor initiates a "flame ignition" sequence: (1) the ignition device is armed and electrified, quickly reaching the ignition temperature (the time for the ignition device to reach the "flame ignition" temperature). "It's variable, but it's usually in twenty seconds); (2) the fuel valve opens; and (3) the mixture of air and fuel introduced into the ignition device burns. If the "flame" indicator does not detect the flame, the system is completely purged for a period (for example, five minutes), and the start sequence is started again. After a number of flameless indications (for example three), an alert is sent electronically to a monitoring site specified by the company. At some point later, a high temperature signal from the hot medium alerts the processor that the medium is at the "upper temperature" limit and the processor activates the closing of the fuel valve. The flame is extinguished due to lack of fuel. It is noteworthy that the processor is electrified by a battery "on site", which is charged by means of a local solar panel. Referring now to Figure 1, a block diagram of a control system 100 for a gas ignition heater 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The gas ignition heater 102 includes, in part, a heater fire tube, 104, and a flame switch, 106. A fuel supply line, 108, extends from the fuel source 110 through a fuel regulator 112, a fuel source actuator valve, 114, and flame switch 106, to the heater fire tube, 104. The fuel source can be butane, propane, natural gas (crude, processed or treated ), or another fuel that can be ignited with a hot surface ignition device. A pilotless ignition device 116 extends toward the heater fire tube 104 from the flame switch 106, such that the pilotless ignition device 116 can initiate combustion of the fuel introduced into the heater fire tube 104. by the fuel supply line 108. Due to the severe environment, the pilotless ignition device 116 is preferably a hot surface ignition device having a silicon nitride heating element having a nominal temperature of at least 1000. ° C to 12 volts. The ignition device 116 can also function as a flame sensor, or a separate flame sensor can be installed in the heater fire tube 104. As a result, the supply line 108, the ignition device 116 and the sensor Flame (not shown) are disposed within the gas ignition heater 102. The system 100 also includes one or more sources of energy, such as the battery 118 and the solar panel 120, a temperature sensor 122 and a controller 124. The system 100 may optionally include a fluid level sensor, 126. Battery 118, controller 124 and terminal block 128 (not required, but which makes installation easier) are normally installed in a weather-resistant control box , 130, which can be installed locally (for example mounted on the existing equipment on the site, or a pedestal or stand alone) or remotely (for example mounted on a control building). Controller 124 is electrically connected to one or more power sources (battery 118 and solar panel 120), temperature sensor 122, unlabeled ignition device 116, flame sensor 116 and fuel source valve 114, by means of terminal block 128. Power sources (one or more) may include a battery 118, a solar panel 120, a generator (not shown), or an AC electrical outlet (not shown). The selection of the power source will depend on the site where the system will be installed. In most cases, the most economical and efficient source of energy will be a battery 118 that is recharged by a solar panel 120. Similarly, a standard wiring will provide the most economical and efficient connection between the controller 124 and the temperature sensor 122 , the pilotless ignition device 116, the flame sensor 116 and the fuel source valve 114. There may be circumstances in which it is desirable and practical to use wireless technology for the connection between the controller 124 and the temperature sensor 122, the pilotless ignition device 116, the flame sensor 116 and the fuel source valve 114. The controller 124 may also include a communication interface connected to a computer network connection, a modem, a telemetry connection, a telephone line, or a wireless communication link. During operation, the controller 124 turns on the unlabeled ignition device 116 during a first period and opens the fuel source valve 114 whenever the temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature. The controller 124 also closes the fuel source valve 114 whenever the temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or that the flame sensor 116 indicates that the flame has been turned off. The temperature sensor 122 may indicate that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature by sending a low temperature signal to the controller 124, and indicate that the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature by sending a high temperature signal to the temperature. controller 124. The preset low temperature and pre-set high temperature may be set at temperature sensor 122 or controller 124, depending on the sophistication of controller 124. For example, a temperature sensor 122, such as a Temperature Switchgage® Series A25T-HL, manufactured by FEMurphy, provides high and low temperature adjustment. Referring now to Figure 2, a block diagram of a controller 124 of a gas ignition heater 102 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 124 includes a first connector 200, a second connector 202, a third connector 204, a fourth connector 206, a fifth connector 208, and a processor 210 connected to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth connector, 200, 202, 204, 206 and 208, respectively. Actually, the processor 210 can be two or more microprocessors that execute a different logic, and has one or more isolated inputs with current limit protection. Except for the first connector 200, the second connector 202, the third connector 204, the fourth connector 206, the fifth connector 208 and the sixth connector 212, preferably the controller 214 is sealed to protect the components from damage and contamination. During operation, the processor 210 receives power from one or more power sources (battery 118 and solar panel 120) by means of the first connector 200 (200a for the battery 118, and 220b for the solar panel 120), turns on a device of ignition without pilot 116 during a first period by means of third connector 204, and opens fuel source valve 114 by means of fifth connector 208, provided that temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a low temperature preset by means of the second connector 202a. The processor 210 closes the fuel source valve 114 by means of the fifth connector 208 provided that the temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature by means of the second connector 202b, or a flame sensor 116. indicate that the flame has been turned off by means of the fourth connector 206. The temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature by sending a low temperature signal (LOW) to the processor 210 via the second connector 202a , and indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature by sending a high temperature signal (HIGH) to the processor 210 via the second connector 202b. Controller 124 may also include a sixth connector (not shown) connected to processor 210 for a communication interface (not shown), a seventh connector 212 connected to processor 210 for a fluid level sensor, 126, and a protection circuit of overload, 214, disposed between the first connection, 202a for the battery 118, and the first connection 202b, for the solar panel 120. The signal conditioners 216a, 216b, 218 and 220 may be disposed between the processor 210 and the second connector 202a for the temperature sensor 122 (LOW), the second connector 202b for the temperature sensor 122 (HIGH), the fourth connector 206 for the sensor flame 116, and the seventh connector 212 for the fluid level sensor, 126, respectively. The compensating circuits 222 and 224 can be arranged between the processor 210 and the third connector 204 for the pilotless ignition device 116, and the fourth connector 208 for the fuel source valve 114, respectively. A voltage regulator 216 may be used to regulate and supply the voltage to the processor 210, the signal conditioners 216a, 216b, 218 and 220, and the compensating circuits 222 and 224. The controller 124 may also include a reset switch 226 connected to the processor 210 and a status indicator 228 connected to the processor 210. Further, the present invention provides control equipment for a gas ignition heater 102, which includes a battery 118, a temperature sensor 122, a ignition device without pilot 116 for installation within the gas ignition heater 102, a flame sensor 116 for installation within the gas ignition heater 102, and a controller 124. The controller 124 has a first connector 200a for the battery 118, a second connector 202a and 202b for the temperature sensor 122, a third connector 204 for the pilotless ignition device 116, a fourth connector 206 for the sensor flame 116, and a fifth connector 208 for the fuel source valve 114. The controller 210 is configured or programmed to turn on the pilotless ignition device 116 during a first period and to open the fuel source valve 114, provided that the Temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature. The controller 125 is also configured or programmed to close the fuel source valve 114 whenever the temperature sensor 122 indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or the flame sensor 116 indicates that the flame has off. The equipment may also include a solar panel 120 for connection (load connection 200b) to the controller 124, such that the solar panel 120 is used to recharge the battery 118. Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, they are shown flow diagrams of a method 300 and 350, for controlling a gas ignition heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. Using method 300, in block 302 the controller turns on a pilotless ignition device during a first period, and opens the fuel source valve whenever a low temperature signal is received, and in block 304 closes the fuel valve. fuel source whenever a high temperature signal is received, or the flame sensor indicates that the flame has been turned off. Similarly, using method 350, in block 352 the controller turns on the ignition device without a pilot for a first period and opens the fuel source valve as long as the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature, and in the block 354 closes the fuel source valve whenever the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or a flame sensor indicates that the flame has been turned off. As described above, a low temperature signal is received from a temperature sensor whenever the temperature is less than or equal to a preset low temperature, and a high temperature signal is received from a temperature sensor whenever the temperature is higher or the same as a pre-established high temperature. The pre-set low temperature and the pre-set low temperature can be set on a temperature sensor or controller. It is to be noted that the present invention can be realized using a computer program incorporated into a computer readable medium., wherein the above-mentioned steps are executed using one or more code segments. Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, flowcharts of a control method of a gas ignition heater according to another embodiment of the present invention are shown. The process begins in block 400. If a low temperature signal is not received as determined in decision block 402, the process continues and verifies that occurrence. However, if a low temperature signal is received as determined in decision block 402, the ignition device without pilot light is turned on for a first period in block 404. After a second period has elapsed in the block 406, in block 408 the fuel source valve opens. If the flame is not turned on as determined in decision block 410, and the ignition device without pilot light is not turned off as determined in decision block 412, the process is repeated until the flame turn on or the flame goes off and the ignition device without the pilot light is off. If the flame is not on, as determined in decision block 412, block 414 closes the fuel source valve and block 416 registers or transmits a system alert to a local or remote site. After a third period has elapsed, in block 418 the process is repeated to attempt a re-start if the low temperature signal is still being received as determined in decision block 402. However, the The flame is turned on as determined in decision block 410, and a high temperature signal has not been received as determined in decision block 420, the process continues to be repeated to verify the state of the flame and if a high temperature signal. The situation in which the flame is extinguished as determined in decision block 420, the fuel source valve is closed in block 422 and the process is repeated to verify a low temperature signal as determined in the decision block 402. During this process, the controller can detect a system outage, 450, such as a low voltage, a low fluid level, a processor failure, a reset button or a flame extinction. In such a case, the controller will turn off the ignition device without pilot (if lit) in block 452, close the fuel source valve (if open) in block 454, register or transmit a system alert to a local or remote site in block 456, and the system will wait, stop and / or restart, depending on the circumstances and driver settings in block 458. It is noteworthy that the controller can disable the fuel source valve and the ignition device without a pilot during a start or low voltage condition. Referring now to Figures 5A and 5B, flowcharts of a method for controlling a gas ignition heater according to another embodiment of the present invention are shown. The process begins by performing one or more bootstrap checks in block 500. If the bootstrap checks do not pass as determined in decision block 502, a system alert is recorded or transmitted to a local or remote site in block 504. , and in block 506 the system will wait, stop and / or restart, depending on the circumstances and settings of the controller. If the bootstrap verifications pass as determined in decision block 502, and a low temperature signal is not received as determined in decision block 508, the processor continues and verifies that occurrence. However, if a low temperature signal is received as determined in decision block 508, the ignition device without pilot light is turned on for 20 seconds (a first period) in block 510. After 10 seconds (a second period) have elapsed in block 512, the fuel source valve opens in block 514 If the flame is not turned on as determined in decision block 516, and the ignition device without pilot is not off as determined in decision block 518, the process is repeated until the flame is turned on or off and the ignition device without pilot light goes off. If the flame is not turned on as determined in decision block 516, and the ignition device without pilot is off as determined in decision block 518, the fuel source valve is closed in block 520 and recorded. or transmits a system alert to a local or remote site in block 522. After five minutes (a third period) has elapsed in block 524, and a maximum number of re-start attempts has not been tested (for example three) as determined in decision block 516, the process is repeated to attempt a re-start if the low temperature signal is still being received as determined in decision block 508. However, if the maximum number has been tested of attempts as determined in decision block 526, a system alert is recorded or transmitted to a local or remote site in block 528, and the system will wait, be cut off and / or reset will depend, depending on the circumstances and the settings of the controller in block 530. However, if the flame is turned on as determined in decision block 516, and a high temperature signal as determined in the block has not been received. of decision 532, the process continues to repeat and verify the state of the flame and if a high temperature signal has been received. The situation in which the flame is turned off as determined in decision block 516 was previously described. However, if the high temperature signal is received as determined in decision block 532, the source valve of the fuel is closed in block 534 and the process is repeated to verify a low temperature signal as determined in decision block 508. During this process, the controller can detect a system outage 550, such as a low voltage , a low fluid level, a processor failure, a reset button or a flame extinction. In such a case, the controller will turn off the ignition device without pilot (if it is on) in block 552, close the fuel source valve (if open) in block 554, a system alert is recorded or transmitted to a local or remote site in block 556, and the system will wait, cut and / or restart, depending on the circumstances and driver settings in block 558. It is noteworthy that the controller can disable the fuel source valve and the ignition device without a pilot during a start or low voltage condition. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques (e.g., data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips can be represented by voltages). , currents, electromagnetic waves, fields or magnetic particles, fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof). Similarly, the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithm steps described herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both, depending on the application and functionality. In addition, the various blocks, modules and logic circuits described herein can be implemented or can be realized with a general purpose processor (for example microprocessor, conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, state machine or combination of computing devices), a digital signal processor ("DSP"), an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a programmable gate array in the field ( "FPGA") or other programmable logic device, separate gateway or transistor logic, separate hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. Similarly, the steps of a method or process described herein can be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, recorders, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of known storage medium. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A system to control a gas ignition heater (102) connected to a fuel source (110) by means of a fuel source valve (114), the system comprising: one or more sources of energy (118, 120); a temperature sensor (122); a pilotless ignition device (116) disposed within the gas ignition heater (102); a flame sensor (116) disposed within the gas ignition heater (102); and a controller (124) electrically connected to the power sources (one or more, 118, 120), to the temperature sensor (122), to the ignition device without pilot (116), to the flame sensor (116) and to the fuel source valve (114), wherein the controller (124) ignites the ignition device without pilot (116) for a first period, and opens the fuel source valve (114) whenever the temperature sensor (122) ) indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature, and closes the fuel source valve (114) whenever the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or that the flame sensor (116) indicates that the flame has been turned off.

2. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the energy sources (one or more, 118, 120) comprise a battery (118), a solar panel (120), a generator, or an electrical outlet. AC.

3. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the energy sources (one or more, 118, 120) comprise a battery (118) that is recharged by a solar panel (120).

4. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature by sending a low temperature signal to the controller (124), and indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature by sending a high temperature signal to the controller (124).

5. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pre-established low temperature and the preset high temperature are set in the temperature sensor (122) or in the controller (124).

6. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: a communication interface connected to the controller (124); or a fluid level sensor (126) electrically connected to the controller (124).

7. The system according to claim 6, further characterized in that the communication interface is a computer network connection, a modem, a telemetry connection, a telephone line, a wireless communication link.

8. - The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pilotless ignition device (116) comprises a hot surface ignition device having a silicon nitride heating element.

9. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the ignition device without pilot (116) has a nominal temperature of at least 1000 ° C to 12 volts.

10. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the flame sensor (116) is the ignition device without pilot (116).

11. The system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the gas ignition heater (102) is used in a well head, a natural gas or natural gas liquids processing plant, a purification plant of natural gas or natural gas liquids, or a petrochemical complex.

12. An apparatus for controlling a gas ignition heater (102) connected to a fuel source (110) by means of a fuel source valve (114), the apparatus comprising: a first connector (200); a second connector (202); a third connector (204); a four connector (206); a fifth connector (208); and a processor (210) connected to the first connector (200), the second connector (202), the third connector (204), the fourth connector (206) and the fifth connector (208), such that during operation the processor (210) receives power from one or more power sources (118, 120) by means of the first connector (200), turns on a pilotless ignition device (116) during a first period by means of the third connector (204), and opens the fuel source valve (114) by means of the fifth connector (208), provided that a temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature by means of the second connector (202) , and closes the fuel source valve (114) by means of the fifth connector (208), provided that the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature by means of the second connector (202). ), or that a flame sensor (116) indicates that the flame is has turned off by means of the fourth connector (206).

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature by sending a low temperature signal to the processor (210) by means of the second connector (202), and indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a preset high temperature by sending a high temperature signal to the processor (210) via the second connector (202).

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that it comprises: a signal conditioner (216, 218) disposed between the processor (210) and the second connector (202) or the fourth connector (206); compensating circuit (222, 224) disposed between the processor (210) and the third connector (204) or the fifth connector (208); a voltage regulator (216) disposed between the first connector (200) and the processor (210); a sixth connector connected to the processor (210) for a communication interface; a seventh connector (212) connected to the processor (210) for a fluid level sensor (126); a reset switch (226) connected to the processor (210); or a status indicator (228) connected to the processor (210).

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that the processor (210) comprises two or more microprocessors that have different logic and have one or more isolated inputs with current limit protection.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further characterized in that it is sealed, except the first connector (200), the second connector (202), the third connector (204), the fourth connector (206) and the fifth connector (208).

17. A method for controlling a gas ignition heater (102) connected to a fuel source (110) by means of a fuel source valve (114), the method comprising the steps of: igniting (352) a ignition device without pilot (116) during a first period and opening the fuel source valve (114), provided that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature; and closing (354) the fuel source valve (114) whenever the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or a flame sensor (116) indicates that the flame has been turned off.

18. - The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving (302) a low temperature signal from a temperature sensor (122), provided that the temperature is less than or equal to the preset low temperature; and receiving (304) a high temperature signal from a temperature sensor (122), provided that the temperature is greater than or equal to the preset high temperature.

19. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of setting the preset low temperature and the pre-established high temperature in a temperature sensor (122) or in a controller (124).

20. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that the fuel source valve (114) does not open until a second period has elapsed after the ignition device without pilot (116) was turned on.

21. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting operational data to a remote site.

22. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of disabling the fuel source valve (114) and the ignition device without pilot (116) during a starting or low voltage condition.

23. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of closing the fuel source valve (114) whenever the flame sensor (116) indicates that the flame was not created and the ignition device (116) is off.

24. The method according to claim 23, further characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting an alarm signal. The method according to claim 23, further characterized in that it comprises the step of turning on the ignition device without pilot (116) during the first period, and opening the fuel source valve (114) after it has elapsed. a third period since the fuel source valve (114) was closed. 26.- The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it comprises the step of turning off the ignition device without pilot (116) (if lit) and closing the fuel source valve (114) (if open) , whenever an interruption of the system is detected. 27. The method according to claim 26, further characterized in that the interruption of the system comprises a low voltage, a low fluid level, a processor failure, a reset button, or a flame extinction. 28. A control device for a gas ignition heater (102) connected to a fuel source (110) by means of a fuel source valve (114), the equipment comprising: a battery (118); a temperature sensor (122); a pilot ignition device (116) for installation within the gas ignition heater (102); a flame sensor (116) for installation within the gas ignition heater (102); a controller (124) having a first connector (200) for the battery (118), a second connector (202) for the temperature sensor (122), a third connector (204) for the ignition device without a pilot (116) ), a fourth connector (206) for the flame sensor (116), and a fifth connector (208) for the fuel source valve (114), wherein the controller (124) is configured to turn on the ignition device without pilot (116) during a first period and opening the fuel source valve (114), provided that the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is less than or equal to a pre-set low temperature, and closing the source valve of fuel (114) provided that the temperature sensor (122) indicates that the temperature is greater than or equal to a pre-set high temperature, or the flame sensor (116) indicates that the flame has been turned off. 29. The equipment according to claim 24, further characterized in that it comprises: a solar panel (120); and a charging connector on the controller (124) for the solar panel (120), such that the solar panel (120) is used to recharge the battery (118).