Patent ID: 6261093
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: F23G,F27D

Abstract:
A method for controlling operation of a heater associated with a regenerative heat transfer oxidizer system used to oxidize a combustible component of an oxygen-containing feed gas mixture, the system comprising a vessel containing at least two heat exchange zones in fluid communication through a void chamber and the heater for introducing supplemental heat energy into the void chamber, each of the heat exchange zones containing a gas-permeable bed comprising solid heat exchange material, the system further comprising a sensor for measuring the temperature at a position within the vessel and a heater controller for varying the input load to the heater in response to the temperature measured at the sensor, the method comprising:measuring the temperature at the sensor;comparing the measured temperature to a set temperature value, T.sub.s ;providing a nominal input load to the heater while the temperature measured at the sensor is above T.sub.s such that supplemental heat energy is introduced into the void chamber at a rate below that required to prevent the temperature measured at the sensor from decreasing; andproviding a maximum input load to the heater while the temperature measured at the sensor is below T.sub.s such that supplemental heat energy is introduced into the void chamber at a rate sufficient to increase the temperature measured at the sensor, transitions between providing the nominal input load to the heater and providing the maximum input load to the heater proceeding rapidly and without regard to the effect on the temperature measured at the sensor.