Application of Remote Sensing Optical Instrumentation for Diagnostics and Safety of Naval Steam Boilers
Abstract
Diagnostic sensors for monitoring the flame (flame quality), the air/ fuel ratio, the presence of unburned hydrocarbon vapors, and the presence of liquid fuel on the floor of a burner are under development. Because safety and burner efficiencies are related to these conditions, sensors whose designs have been aimed at improving safety conditions can simultaneously be used to study efficiencies. Several techniques for evaluating the operating conditions of boiler flames are currently under investigation at the Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL) of Mississippi State University. These include a capacitance-based liquid monitoring system and optical experiments for monitoring flame quality, hydrocarbon vapors, and the CO/CO2 ratio in the effluent gases. Each of these techniques is designed to be used in the flame region of a boiler. The optical experiments can be tested using bench- top natural gas or fuel oil burners, a small explosion test cell, or a combustion test facility (CTF) which is maintained and operated by the laboratory. This range of combustion media allow development and testing in a laboratory environment as well as in environments which more closely approximate the conditions of a Navy boiler. Additional scale-up and evaluation will be necessary before the equipment can be conveniently mounted on a boiler or boiler simulator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA212479
Entities
Organizations
- Mississippi State University