Patent ID: 6071114
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: F01D,F02C,F23N,G01J,H05H

Abstract:
A system for characterizing a combustion flame in a combustion chamber, comprising:a first sensor having an input that receives energy within a first frequency band of the flame, and an output that provides a first signal indicative of an amplitude of the energy within the first frequency band;a second sensor having an input that receives energy within a second frequency band of the flame, different from the first frequency band, and an output that provides a second signal indicative of an amplitude of the energy within the second frequency band; anda flame characterization module having a first input coupled to the output of the first sensor, a second input coupled to the output of the second sensor, and an output that provides a figure of merit that characterizes the combustion flame as a function of at least a ratio of the first signal to the second signal;wherein the first frequency band is chosen to be a predetermined band characteristic of an efficient combustion process wherein an efficient combustion process is characterized by at least one of a minimized waste stream pollutant emission level and a maximized power output level per unit measure of fuel; andwherein the second frequency band is chosen to be a predetermined band characteristic of an inefficient combustion process wherein an inefficient combustion process is characterized by at least one of a high level of NO.sub.x, a high level of SO.sub.x, a high level of CO.sub.2, a high level of unburned hydrocarbons, a high level of particulate matter, and a lower power output level per unit measure of fuel.