SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PULVERIZERS

• US 20120111978A1
• Filed: 11/08/2010
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Sutton, James P., Tobiasz, Rebecca L., Murphy, Robert F., Poon, Sin K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,608,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 241/25
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 15/04 Mills with pressed pendularly-mounted rollers, e.g. spring pressed
• CPC Class Codes: B02C 25/00 Control arrangements specially adapted for crushing or disintegrating

Abstract

In a system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer, a sensor interface module positioned on or proximal to the pulverizer. The sensor interface module is operable to receive information generated by one or more sensors mounted on the pulverizer. An operator control station is in communication with the sensor interface module and is operable to receive data from the sensor interface module relevant to the signals received from the sensors. The operator control station is also operable to generate operational information indicative of a functional characteristic of the pulverizer and to track the operational information to determine whether degradation of the functional characteristic is occurring.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer comprising:

at least one sensor interface module positioned on or proximal to said pulverizer, said sensor interface module being operable to receive information generated by one or more sensors mounted on said pulverizer with which said sensor interface module is associated;

an operator control station in communication with said at least one sensor interface module associated with said pulverizer, said operator control station being operable to receive data from said sensor interface module relevant to said signals received thereby from said sensors; and

said operator control station being operable to generate operational information indicative of at least one functional characteristic of said pulverizer and to track said operational information to determine whether degradation of said functional characteristic is occurring.

5. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1 wherein an oil reservoir is in fluid communication with said pulverizer;

said sensor includes a float switch positioned in each of said reservoirs; and

said operator control station being operable to issue an alarm when data received from said sensor interface module relevant to said float switch indicated that an oil level in said reservoir has dropped below a predetermined level.

6. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1, wherein:

said one or more sensors includes a CO sensor positioned in an outlet forming part of each of said pulverizers and a temperature sensor positioned at or near said outlet; and

said operator control station being operable to convert said data received from each of said sensor interface modules relative to said CO sensor and said temperature sensor into outlet CO and outlet temperature levels and to track said outlet CO and temperature levels, said operator control station being further operable to issue an alarm when one or both of said outlet CO and said outlet temperature levels reach predetermined levels.

7. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1, wherein:

said pulverizers includes a coal pipe for transporting coal out of the pulverizer;

said sensors include an air flow meter for monitoring the flow of air through the coal pipe and a humidity meter to monitor the amount of moisture in the air flowing through the coal pipe; and

said operator control station being operable to convert said data received from said sensor interface modules relative to said air flow meter and said humidity meter and to track air flow through, and humidity in said coal pipe said operator control station being further operable to issue an alarm when one or both of said outlet airflow and said humidity reach predetermined levels.

8. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1, wherein said operator control station includes a touch screen display.

9. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1 wherein one of said sensors measures power drawn by a motor forming part of each of said plurality of pulverizers, and said operator control station is operable to cause the adjustment of airflow into said pulverizer based on information received from said sensor interface module indicative of said motor power.

11. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 1, wherein:

said pulverizer includes at least one journal assembly having an oil reservoir forming a part thereof;

said sensor includes a thermocouple positioned in said oil reservoir; and

said operator control station being operable to issue an alarm where data received from said thermocouple indicates a bearing inside the journal assembly has degraded resulting in increased oil temperature.

2. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer wherein one of said sensors is a load cell coupled to a spring loading assembly forming part of said pulverizer, said load cell being in communication with said at least one sensor interface module associated with said pulverizer and operable to detect forces imparted to said spring loading system;

said operator control station receiving data from said at least one sensor interface module corresponding to said forces detected by said load cell, and manipulating said received data to determine loading on one or more journal grinding wheels forming part of said pulverizer.

3. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 2 wherein:

the pulverizer includes at least three grinding wheels and at least three spring loading assemblies, each of said spring loading assemblies being in communication with one of said grinding wheels;

each of said spring loading assemblies having one of said load cells coupled thereto and in communication with said at least one sensor interface module; and

said operator control station being operable to compare said received data and determine if loading on said grinding wheels is uneven thereby indicating a detrimental operating condition of said pulverizer.

4. A system for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer as defined by claim 3 wherein:

said pulverizers includes a gearbox;

said sensors include at least one accelerometer mounted on each of said gearboxes; and

said operator control station employs said received data corresponding to forces detected by said load cells and received data corresponding to vibration detected by said accelerometer to generate information indicative of at least one of unequal wear and degradation of said gearbox.

10. A method for monitoring the operating condition of a pulverizer, comprising:

providing at least one sensor interface module mounted on or proximal to each of said plurality of pulverizers, said sensor interface modules having as inputs, data as detected by one or more sensors mounted on said pulverizers;

receiving said data at said sensor interface module;

said sensor interface module operating as needed to condition said data and if needed, to convert said data from analogue to digital data;

providing an operator control station in communication with said sensor interface module, said operator control station generating operational information indicative of at least one functional characteristic of said pulverizer; and

said operator control station monitoring and comparing said operational information over time to determine the extent, if any, of degradation of said at least of functional characteristic of said pulverizer.