Methods and systems for analyzing combustion system operation

• US 9,310,347 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Xu, Guang, Moyeda, David, Widmer, Neil, Zhou, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): CORBOY, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US12/947,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20120122040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 431/2, 431/76, 73/233.1, 702/24
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/003 using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties F23N5/02, F23N5/18 - F23N5/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/006 the detector being sensitive to oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 for CO, CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

Systems and methods for analyzing combustion system operation are provided. According to one embodiment, a method can include receiving multiple CO measurements from respective CO sensors distributed within a combustion system; receiving multiple O₂ measurements from respective O₂ sensors distributed within the combustion system; and determining at least one operating condition of the combustion system based at least in part on CO indicated by the CO measurements relative to O₂ indicated by the O₂ measurements.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing combustion system operation, comprising:

receiving a first plurality of carbon monoxide (CO) measurements from a respective plurality of CO sensors distributed within a combustion system at a first point in time and a second plurality of CO measurements from the respective plurality of CO sensors at a second point in time;

receiving a first plurality of oxygen (O₂) measurements from a respective plurality of O₂ sensors distributed within the combustion system at the first point in time and a second plurality of O₂ measurements from the respective plurality of O₂ sensors at the second point in time;

calculating, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of CO based on at least the first and second plurality of CO measurements;

calculating, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of O₂ based on at least the first and second plurality of O₂ measurements; and

determining the operating state of the combustion system based on the temporal standard deviation calculations, wherein determining the operating state of the combustion system comprises;

determining, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of CO meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors;

determining, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of 0, meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors; and

if a majority of the respective plurality of CO sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of CO above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors and if a majority of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of O₂ above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, determining the combustion system is operating in an unsteady state.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating at least one control action to cause a change in the combustion system operation based at least in part on the at least one operating condition determined;

wherein making the second determination of at least one operating condition is further based at least in part on levels of CO indicated by the second plurality of CO measurements relative to levels of O₂ indicated by the second plurality of O₂ measurements.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of CO measurements represents an average of the first plurality of CO measurements taken over time from a respective one of the plurality of CO sensors, and wherein each of the first plurality of O₂ measurements represents an average of the first plurality of O₂ measurements taken over time from a respective one of the plurality of O₂ sensors.

2. A method for analyzing combustion system operation, comprising:

receiving a first plurality of carbon monoxide (CO) measurements from a respective plurality of CO sensors distributed within a combustion system at a first point in time;

receiving a first plurality of oxygen (O₂) measurements from a respective plurality of O₂ sensors distributed within the combustion system at the first point in time;

determining at least one operating condition of the combustion system based at least in part on CO indicated by the first plurality of CO measurements relative to O₂ indicated by the first plurality of O₂ measurements;

receiving a second plurality of CO measurements from the same respective plurality of CO sensors at a second point in time;

receiving a second plurality of O₂ measurements from the same respective plurality of O₂ sensors at the second point in time;

calculating, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of CO based on at least the first and second plurality of CO measurements;

calculating, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of O₂ based on at least the first and second plurality of O₂ measurements; and

making a second determination of at least one operating condition based at least in part on the temporal standard deviation calculations, wherein making the second determination of the at least one operating condition comprises;

determining, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of CO meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors;

determining, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of O₂, meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors; and

if a majority of the respective plurality of CO sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of CO above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors and if a majority of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of O₂ above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, determining the combustion system is operating in an unsteady state.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining a CO average of the first plurality of CO measurements; and

determining an O₂ average of the first plurality of O₂ measurements;

wherein determining the at least one operating condition is further based at least in part on the CO average and the O₂ average.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

plotting the CO average relative to the O₂ average in a quadrant graph of CO concentration versus O₂ concentration;

wherein determining the at least one operating condition is further based at least in part on a quadrant in which the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a vertical axis of the quadrant graph represents increasing CO concentration and a horizontal axis represents increasing O₂ concentration, wherein the quadrant graph comprises a lower left quadrant, an upper left quadrant, a lower right quadrant, and an upper right quadrant, each representing different operating conditions of the combustion system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the at least one operating condition further comprises:

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is within a quadrant representing an acceptable operating condition, determining the combustion system is operating at an acceptable operating condition; and

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is within a quadrant representing an undesirable operating condition, determining the combustion system is operating at an undesirable operating condition, and further comprising generating a control action to adjust at least one of the CO concentration or the O₂ concentration within the combustion system.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

calculating a spatial standard deviation of CO based on the first plurality of CO measurements; and

calculating a spatial standard deviation of O₂ based on the first plurality of O₂ measurements.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the at least one operating condition is based on at least one of:

(a) the quadrant in which the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located;

(b) the spatial standard deviation of CO;

or (c) the spatial standard deviation of O₂.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the at least one operating condition further comprises:

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower left quadrant, determining the combustion system is operating in an acceptable operating condition;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO condition, and further comprising generating a control action to adjust the CO balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in a low O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to increase O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to adjust the O₂ balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an increased O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to decrease O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO or O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO or an unbalanced O₂ condition, and further comprising generating at least one control action to adjust at least one of CO balancing or O₂ balancing in the combustion system; and

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO and O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an undesirable condition, and further comprising generating at least one warning.

12. A system for analyzing combustion system operation, comprising:

at least one controller in communication with a plurality of carbon monoxide (CO) sensors associated with a combustion system and a plurality of oxygen (O₂) sensors associated with the combustion system, wherein the at least one controller is configured to;

receive a first plurality of carbon monoxide CO measurements from a respective plurality of CO sensors distributed within a combustion system at a first point in time;

receive a first plurality of oxygen O₂ measurements from a respective plurality of O₂ sensors distributed within the combustion system at the first point in time;

determine at least one operating condition of the combustion system based at least in part on CO indicated by the first plurality of CO measurements relative to O₂ indicated by the first plurality of O₂ measurements;

receive a second plurality of CO measurements from the same respective plurality of CO sensors at a second point in time;

receive a second plurality of O₂ measurements from the same respective plurality of O₂ sensors at the second point in time;

calculate, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of CO based on at least the first and second plurality of CO measurements;

calculate, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, a temporal standard deviation value of O₂ based on at least the first and second plurality of O₂ measurements; and

make a second determination of at least one operating condition based at least in part on a the temporal standard deviation calculations, wherein making the second determination of the at least one operating condition comprises;

determine, for each of the respective plurality of CO sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of CO meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors;

determine, for each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, if the temporal standard deviation value of O₂meets or exceeds a predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors; and

if a majority of the respective plurality of CO sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of CO above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of CO sensors and if a majority of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors have the temporal standard deviation value of O₂ above the predefined threshold associated with each of the respective plurality of O₂ sensors, determining the combustion system is operating in an unsteady state.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

determine a CO average of the first plurality of CO measurements;

determine an O₂ average of the first plurality of O₂ measurements; and

determine the at least one operating condition based at least in part on the CO average and the O₂ average.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

plot the CO average relative to the O₂ average in a quadrant graph of CO concentration versus O₂ concentration, wherein the vertical axis of the quadrant graph represents increasing CO concentration and the horizontal axis represents increasing O₂ concentration, wherein the quadrant graph comprises a lower left quadrant, an upper left quadrant, a lower right quadrant, and an upper right quadrant, each representing different operating conditions of the combustion system; and

determine the at least one operating condition based at least in part on the quadrant in which the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to determine the at least one operating condition by:

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is within a quadrant representing an acceptable operating condition, determining the combustion system is operating at an acceptable operating condition; and

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is within a quadrant representing an undesirable operating condition, determining the combustion system is operating at an undesirable operating condition; and

wherein, if the combustion system is operating at an undesirable operating condition, the at least one controller is further configured to generate a control action to adjust at least one of the CO concentration or the O₂ concentration within the combustion system.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

calculate a spatial standard deviation of CO based on the first plurality of CO measurements; and

calculate a spatial standard deviation of O₂ based on the first plurality of O₂ measurements.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to determine the at least one operating condition by:

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower left quadrant, determining the combustion system is operating in an acceptable operating condition;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate a control action to adjust the CO balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in a low O₂ condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate a control action to increase O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced O₂ condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate a control action to adjust the O₂ balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an increased O₂ condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate a control action to decrease O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO or O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO or an unbalanced O₂ condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate at least one control action to adjust at least one of CO balancing or O₂ balancing in the combustion system; and

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO and O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an undesirable condition, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to generate at least one warning.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to:

generate at least one control action to cause a change in the combustion system operation based at least in part on the at least one operating condition determined;

and wherein the second determination of at least one operating condition is further based on levels of CO indicated by the second plurality of CO measurements relative to levels of O₂ indicated by the second plurality of O₂ measurements.

19. A method for analyzing combustion system operation, comprising:

receiving a first plurality of carbon monoxide (CO) measurements from a respective plurality of CO sensors distributed within a combustion system at a first point in time;

receiving a first plurality of oxygen (O₂) measurements from a respective plurality of O₂ sensors distributed within the combustion system at the first point in time;

determining at least one operating condition of the combustion system based at least in part on CO indicated by the first plurality of CO measurements relative to O₂ indicated by the first plurality of O₂ measurements;

receiving a second plurality of CO measurements from the same respective plurality of CO sensors at a second point in time;

receiving a second plurality of O₂ measurements from the same respective plurality of O₂ sensors at the second point in time;

making a second determination of at least one operating condition based at least in part on a temporal standard deviation calculation based on at least one of (a) the first and second plurality of CO measurements or (b) the first and second plurality of O₂ measurements;

determining a CO average of the first plurality of CO measurements;

determining an O₂ average of the first plurality of O₂ measurements, wherein determining the at least one operating condition is further based at least in part on the CO average and the O₂ average;

plotting the CO average relative to the O₂ average in a quadrant graph of CO concentration versus O₂ concentration, wherein determining the at least one operating condition is further based at least in part on a quadrant in which the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located wherein a vertical axis of the quadrant graph represents increasing CO concentration and a horizontal axis represents increasing O₂ concentration, and wherein the quadrant graph comprises a lower left quadrant, an upper left quadrant, a lower right quadrant, and an upper right quadrant, each representing different operating conditions of the combustion system;

calculating a spatial standard deviation of CO based on the first plurality of CO measurements; and

calculating a spatial standard deviation of O₂ based on the first plurality of O₂ measurements.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the at least one operating condition is based on at least one of:

(a) the quadrant in which the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located;

(b) the spatial standard deviation of CO;

or (c) the spatial standard deviation of O₂.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the at least one operating condition further comprises:

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower left quadrant, determining the combustion system is operating in an acceptable operating condition;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO condition, and further comprising generating a control action to adjust the CO balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper left quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in a low O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to increase O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to adjust the O₂ balancing in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the lower right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an increased O₂ condition, and further comprising generating a control action to decrease O₂ in the combustion system;

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO or O₂ meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an unbalanced CO or an unbalanced O₂ condition, and further comprising generating at least one control action to adjust at least one of CO balancing or O₂ balancing in the combustion system; and

if the plot of the CO average relative to the O₂ average is located in the upper right quadrant and if the spatial standard deviation of CO and O₂ is below a predetermined threshold, determining the combustion system is operating in an undesirable condition, and further comprising generating at least one warning.