Patent ID: 6244098
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: F22B,G01M

Abstract:
A method for detecting a leak in a boiler having an automatic liquid level control mechanism in which a temperature control liquid in a containment means is supplemented with feedwater and is removed as blowdown, main steam and sootblower steam comprising:a) measuring a rate associated with said feedwater supplementation to obtain data;b) measuring a rate associated with said blowdown, main steam, and sootblower steam removal to obtain data;c) determining time and flowmeter reading offsets between feedwater supplementation means and removal means;d) determining an unaccounted for water rate according to the formula:U(i)=I(i-(b/.DELTA.t))-a*O(i)-cwhere:U=unaccounted for water rate;i=time index;t=time;I=water input rate;b=a determinable constant;a=a determinable constant;O=water output rate; andc=a determinable constant;e) comparing said unaccounted for water rate with zero; andf) indicating a leak condition if said unaccounted for water rate is greater than zero.