Combustion control systems

Abstract: A combustion control system includes a sensor assembly (11) and a process controller (12), the sensor assembly (11) including sensors (14 to 18) for providing output signals indicative of process variables, and the process controller (12) responding to the output signals to maintain a desired operation of the process. The process controller (12) continuously monitors parameters of the sensors (14 to 18) and provides alarms whenever any of these parameters deviate from setpoint values, the process controller (12) automatically prioritising these alarms to provide a display of only the most relevant alarms. A housing enclosing the processor controller (12) provides electromagnetic and/or radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) sheilding of the process controller (12) including attenuation and absorption of EMI/RFI energy.

Description: This invention relates to combustion control systems. Oxygen and combustibles analysers are often used to analyse combustion gases in data collection and combustion control systems. These analysers are effective in improving product quality and combustion efficiency, as compared to systems without combustion gas analysis. A major drawback to these analysers, however, is that sampling, sensing, and heating systems that are required for their proper operation tend to be complex and prone to failure. Current oxygen and combustibles analysers provide little in the way of diagnostics to aid in system maintenance. As a rule, signals proportional to the oxygen and combustibles concentration in the analysed gas are the only system outputs. Signals which represent an internal analyser condition are not provided as outputs. Correction factors based on the results of sensor calibration by automatic calibration systems are sometimes available. However, these correction factors are not easily accessible, and their meaning is not obvious to those without specialised knowledge. These factors cause difficulty in interfacing the analyser to a system controller. Because the basic operating conditions within the analyser are unknown, erroneous flue gas measurements resulting from analyser fault conditions may be used as control system inputs. Such erroneous inputs may result in inefficient and potentially unsafe conditions as the controller responds to them. A combustion control system using the output of a combustion analyser as an input could operate for significant periods of time based on false inputs. Thus, redundant measurements or complicated control systems were required. Thus, it would be desirable to have a combustion control system which monitors analyser parameters and responds to abnormal conditions to default immediately. German Patent Application Publication No DE-A-3 335 481 discloses a warning (alarm) display system according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 of this application, the system (which may be associated with a control station such as an energy generation control room or - in particular - an aircraft cockpit) including: a sensor assembly having sensor means for providing output signals indicative of parameters; and controller means comprising input means for receiving said output signals provided by said sensor means, monitoring means for continuously monitoring said parameters and generating alarm signals, display means for displaying alarm conditions in response to said alarm signals, prioritisation means for automatically prioritising the display of said alarm conditions, and a memory. The display system of DE-A-3 335 481 functions in that the controller means (a data processor) evaluates the output signals from the sensors, in comparison with existing items of reference information, to ascertain whether information -and in particular a warning display - should be displayed on the display means, and reads appropriate information from the memory for presentation in a given region of the display means. The display means is in the form of a pair of lines for multi-place alphanumeric information display, each line being subdivided into separately actuable line portions. Thus, long or short items of information can be displayed. Prioritisation of display is effected in that the most current or important information is presented on the uppermost line or in a more detailed text. Later/lower priority occurrences may be stored so that the operator can output them later for review. DE-A-3 614 331 discloses a diagnostic system (for example for a nuclear power station) comprising input means for acquiring raw data relating to a deviant state, a memory for storing logic data for diagnosis of a deviant state, a processor for diagnosis of a deviant state on the basis of the logic data, another memory for storing the diagnosis results, a display means for displaying the diagnosis results, and a prioritisation means for outputting the diagnosis results in a priority sequence which, in the event of simultaneous diagnosis results, corresponds to the relative importance of the results. US Patent No US-A-3 988 730 discloses a system for monitoring and indicating parameter conditions within a system, in particular an automobile. Sensors provide output signals indicative of parameters. Each signal is compared with an individually programmed reference, and a corresponding indicator is activated if the signal exceeds its reference. Each parameter is prioritised such that if it exceeds its reference the system will sequentially sense only that parameter and all other parameters of a higher priority. According to the present invention there is provided a system including: a sensor assembly having sensor means for providing output signals indicative of parameters; and controller means comprising input means for receiving said output signals provided by said sensor means, monitoring means for continuously monitoring said parameters and generating alarm signals, display means for displaying alarm conditions in response to said alarm signals, prioritisation means for automatically prioritising the display of said alarm conditions, and a memory; characterised in that: said system is a combustion control system for controlling a combustion process; said controller means is a process controller means operative to control said combustion process; said sensor means is operative to provide said output signals indicative of at least one parameter of said combustion control process; said controller means includes signal processing means responsive to said output signals provided by said sensor means to generate control outputs to maintain a desired operation of said combustion control process; said monitoring means forms part of said signal processing means and is operative to continuously monitor parameters of the combustion control system including said at least one parameter of said combustion control process provided by said sensor means and to generate an alarm signal whenever any one of the monitored parameters deviates from a setpoint value; said prioritisation means is operative automatically to prioritise said alarm signals to provide a display of select alarm conditions based on knowledge of internal operations of an analyser system which is a direct result of a construction of said analyser system; and said combustion control system and said prioritisation means are operative to disregard suspect sensor readings through a program stored in said memory. A preferred embodiment of the invention described in detail below provides: a more reliable combustion control system; a more reliable oxygen and combustibles analyser; an improved diagnostic system for combustion control systems; and a combustion control system which includes a combustion process sample analyser and which continuously monitors parameters of the analyser and detects predetermined abnormal conditions relating to operation of the analyser. By suppressing redundant alarms, trouble shooting is made easier because the operator is not required to recognise and ignore spurious information. Also, when an analyser alarm is detected, the system may automatically default the appropriate part of the control system to a known safe operating condition. The invention will now be further described, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a combustion control system embodying the invention; Figure 1A is a plan view of an operator interface apparatus for the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 1B is a sectional view taken along lines 1B-1B in Figure 1A; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating control programs of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating alarm detection and prioritisation routines for the system; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of alarm priority status for the system; Figure 5 is a process flow chart for the alarm prioritisation routine; Figure 6 is a process flow chart for an alarm acknowledge routine; Figure 7 is a process flow chart for an alarm check routine; and Figure 8 is a process flow chart for the alarm detection routine. General System Description A combustion control system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in block diagram form in Figure 1. The system 10 maintains an optimum gas combustion by sampling flue gases and controlling the settings of a gas (fuel) valve 10a and an air damper 10b as a function of process variables, including the percentages of oxygen and carbon monoxide in the flue gas, and system operating conditions. The combustion control system 10 includes a sensor assembly 11 and a process controller 12, including electronic circuits, which are interconnected by a system cable assembly 13, including conductors 13a to 13h. The sensor assembly 11, which is located near the process being controlled, includes an oxygen sensor 14, a combustibles sensors 15 and a sensor probe (not shown) which is located in a duct (not shown) for extracting a sample of products of a combustion process for analysis. The sample is divided between the oxygen sensor 14 and the combustibles sensor 15 in a manner known in the art. The sensor assembly 11 includes an air powered aspirator (not shown) for drawing the sample from the process and across the two sensors 14 and 15. The analysed sample is combined with the exhaust of the aspirator and dumped back into the exhaust of the process. The sample passing over the two sensors 14 and 15 generates an analog voltage in each sensor which is transmitted to the process controller 12 via the conductors 13a and 13b of the interconnecting cable assembly 13. In addition to analog signals representing outputs of the two sensors 14 and 15, the sensor assembly 11 provides to the electronic circuitry of the process controller 12 monitoring signals indicative of parameters or conditions of the sensors and/or hardware associated therewith. The sensor assembly 11 includes a temperature sensor 16 providing an output indicative of the temperature of a flange manifold represented by a block (support member) 14a on which the oxygen sensor 14 is mounted, and a temperature sensor 17 providing an output indicative of the temperature of a mounting block represented by a block (support member) 15a on which the combustibles sensor 15 is mounted. These parameter outputs are transmitted over the conductors 13c and 13d, respectively, from the sensor assembly 11 to the process controller 12. A further sensor 18 provides a process input, such as ambient temperature or pressure, which is supplied to the process controller 12 via the conductor 13f. In order to maintain the temperature of the sensors and sensor mountings at the required operating temperatures and above the dew point, the sensors are maintained at elevated operating temperatures by heating the support member 14a, 15a on which the sensors are mounted. To this end, the sensor assembly 11 includes a flange manifold heating device 19 and a combustibles block heating device 19a, both of which receive control signals via the conductors 13g and 13h from the process controller 12. A thermocouple 20 is used in controlling the process. A cold junction compensator, as it is called, is a thermally dependent current regulating device that accounts for the actual ambient temperature in the termination unit of the sensor assembly 11. This information is required for accuracy with any type of thermocouple used, and is transmitted over the conductor 13e to the process controller 12. A single cold junction compensator is used to compensate both for the process variable sensor 18, which is embodied as a thermocouple, and the two parameter sensors 16 and 17 used in the sensor assembly 11, which sensors also comprise thermocouples. The process controller 12 includes multiplexing and signal conditioning circuits 21, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (converter circuit) 22, a microprocessor 23, an operator interface (interface unit) 24 and output circuits 25 including a digital output interface 26, an analog output interface 27, and heater control circuits 28. The multiplexing circuits 21 receive the analog signals provided by the sensor assembly 11 and the process input and extend them one at a time to the A/D converter 22 which converts the signals to digital form for processing by the microprocessor 23. A suitable microprocessor 23 for this system is the Motorola Type 68MC11 which includes, in addition to a digital signal processor, read only memory, random access memory, a programmable memory, a serial input/output port, and a timer system. The microprocessor 23 monitors the analyser status and initiates changes, particularly changes in temperature, to maintain a desired status of the sensor assembly 11. The microprocessor 23 compares the sensor signal levels received from the sensor assembly 11 with setpoint values and, based upon user input parameters, makes changes in settings of process apparatus (not shown), such as air damper controls, fuel valves, etc., to maximise the efficiency of the combustion process being monitored. The microprocessor 23 also stores calibration information for maintaining the sensors in accurate and repeatable operating condition. More specially, the analog signals applied to the process controller 12 are sampled in a continuous, sequential manner by the multiplexing and signal conditioning circuits 21 which filter and amplify the signals before applying the signals to the A/D converter 22. The analog signals are converted to digital form and applied to the microprocessor 23 which operates under program control to receive and process the digital inputs provided thereto by the A/D converter 22 and to generate suitable control outputs which are applied via the digital output interface 26 or analog output interface 27 to control apparatus. Control routines and diagnostic routines of the system will be described in more detail hereinafter. In addition to the analog signals converted to digital form by the input section of the electronics circuit of the process controller 12 prior to processing by the microprocessor 23, the process controller 12 receives further inputs via the operator interface unit 24 which enables the operator to input data, setpoint values and control commands to the system. The operator interface unit 24 also provides for the operator a display of information provide by the microprocessor 23, including alarm condition information, status information, etc. As will be shown, the process controller 12 automatically prioritises system alarms which are displayed and provides a display of only relevant alarms. In other words, if a signal becomes invalid because of another alarm conditions, alarms generated by that signal are not displayed to the operator. In addition, the operator interface unit 24 includes a plurality of status indicators which provide visual indication to the operator of various conditions of the system including the presence of an unacknowledged alarm. Operator Interface Referring to Figures 1 and 1A, the operator interface unit 24 comprises a membrane keyboard 31, alphanumeric liquid crystal display (LCD) or display unit 32, and a plurality of status indicators 33. The operator interface unit 24 is used to guide the operator through a series of simple tasks to configure the system to a specific application during initial startup. The LCD 32 and keyboard 31 provide the operator with process information such as the concentrations of oxygen and CO and process temperature. The interface unit 24 also informs the operator of faults discovered during periodic self diagnostic testing. The interface unit 24 allows the system to be operated by non-technical personnel by leading the operator through a series of simple steps for startup, calibration, and maintenance. The status indicators 33 inform the operator of the current operating mode and status. The system microprocessor 23 (Figure 1) uses data from the operator interface unit 24 in conjunction with internal control algorithms to determine the quantities of fuel and air that are required by the process and generate analog control signals which are used to control existing positioners for the fuel valve 10a and air damper 10b. The logging or display of process variables is supported by an analog output which can be used to output the value of a variable selected by the user. The membrane keyboard 31 defines sixteen manually operable keys. A first group of keys used in setup of the system include a CAL key 34, a TUNE key 35 and an ENTER key 36. A second group of keys are used by the operator in selecting screens, and information to be displayed. These include a NEXT SCREEN key 37, A SELECT key 38, an UP key 39 and a DOWN Key 40. Further keys for operator control include a LIGHT key 41, a VAR key 42, an OXYGEN key 43, a COMBL key 44, and an OUTPUT POSN key 45. The keyboard further includes a FUEL key 46, an AIR key 47, a TRIM key 48 and an ALARM ACK (alarm acknowledge) key 49. Depressing the CAL key 34 enters a calibration environment, which is used to calibrate the controller. Depressing the TUNE key 35 enters a tune environment, which is used to adjust the controller function as required by the process being controlled. Depressing the ENTER key 36 completes an option within a given screen. Depressing the NEXT SCREEN key 37 advances to the next screen within a given environment. This key is applicable only to the calibrate, tune, and alarm acknowledgement environments. Depressing the DOWN ARROW key 39 decreases the value of the selected parameter. Depressing the UP ARROW key 40 increases the value of the selected parameter. Depressing the VAR key 42 displays the value of the process variable input. The setpoint is also displayed, if appropriate. Depressing the OXYGEN key 43 displays the current oxygen level as measured by the system. An oxygen setpoint and a setpoint bias are also displayed. Depressing the COMBL key 44 displays the current combustibles level as measured by the system. A combustibles setpoint is also displayed. Depressing the OUTPUT POSN key 45 displays the current value of the system's control outputs. The state of each loop (either automatic or manual) is also displayed. Depressing the FUEL key 46 changes the state of a fuel control loop and displays an output position screen if applicable. Depressing the AIR key 47 changes the state of an air control loop and displays the output position screen if applicable. Depressing the TRIM key 48 changes the state of a trim control loop and displays the output position screen if applicable. Depressing the ALARM ACK key 49 enters on alarm acknowledgement environment, which displays user defined and system alarms, if any exist. Depressing the LIGHT key 41 turns on an LCD backlight, which will automatically turn off if no keys have been depressed after five minutes. The status indicators 33, which are embodied as light emitting diodes (LEDs) 50 and 50a, are selectively lit to indicate when the FUEL, AIR or TRIM keys 46 to 48 are activated in an automatic or manual mode of operation of the system, respectively. There are three sets of "MAN" and three "AUTO" LED indicators, 50 and 50a. One MANUAL LED and one AUTO LED are used to indicate the status of a given control signal. Thus, there are three sets of LEDs, one for each of the FUEL, AIR, and TRIM keys 46 to 48. An "ALARM" LED indicator 51 indicates that an alarm condition exists. The LED 51 is energised intermittently to indicate that at least one alarm has not been acknowledged. The LED 51 is energised in a steady manner to indicate that all alarms have been acknowledged. An acknowledged alarm is one which has been displayed on the systems LCD 32. A further LED 52 is lit to indicate that a sensor calibration is in progress or that calibration gas is being inserted manually by the operator with the system functioning in the calibrate mode. Steady illumination of the LED 52 indicates that a sensor calibration is in progress. A flashing light from the LED 52 indicates that calibration gas is being inserted manually by the operator into the sensor assembly 11. The membrane keyboard 31 includes a transparent window 53, with the LCD 32 (Figure 1) being located behind the window 53. The window 53 seals the LCD 32 environmentally in a housing 70 (not shown) which encloses the process controller 12. The LCD 32 is a 20 character by four line unit which displays relevant process conditions and operating instructions. A pair of connectors 54 and 55 connect the LCD 32, the keys of the membrane keyboard 31, and the status light emitting diodes via respective ribbon conductors 54a and 55a to electrical circuits of the process controller 12 mounted within the housing 70 (Figure 2). Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, the membrane keyboard 31 is mounted externally of the housing for accessibility, and is sealed environmentally and protected from EMI/RFI by the transparent window 53 (Figure 1A) with a shielding layer 31a (Figure 1B) in the form of a conductive coating of graphite or aluminium overlying a top circuit layer 31b of the keyboard. The window 53 is of a conductive material with a resistance of approximately 5 ohms per square inch, and may, for example, be Altair M-5 material. The window 53 is in electrical contact with the conductive layer 31a. The LCD unit 32 is mounted behind the window 53. Three gas control valves (not shown) are mounted within the housing. Two of the valves are operable to supply zero calibration gas and span calibration gas to the analyser. The third valve enables filter blow back. Process Control Routines Referring to Figure 2, the process control routines reside in memory accessible to the microprocessor 23, which executes control algorithms in a logical fashion. The system is divided into eleven functional routines illustrated in block diagram form in Figure 2 as including analog input routines 101, control system routines 102, and a plurality of output routines including analyser control routines 103, digital output routines 104, solenoid digital output routines 105 and analog output routines 106. The process control routines further include a plurality of operator interface routines including keyboard interface routines 107, operator interface status and decoding routines 108, display interface routines 109 and signal and scaling routines 110. Timing routines 111 control the sequencing of operations. Process control routines suitable for these purposes are known in the art and therefore need not be described in detail. However, the routines are described briefly for better illustrating the environment for a diagnostic system and interface control embodying the invention. The analog input routines 101 receive and process input signals from the process and the sensor assembly 11. There are separate routines dedicated to calibration of the sensors and of the hardware and for converting digital information from the A/D converter 22 into proper engineering units for manipulation by the microprocessor 23 and display to the operator. Sensor calibration input routines of the analog input routines 101 are part of a sensor autocalibration operation. The sensor signals are sampled for one minute while a known calibration gas flows across each sensor. These inputs are used to calibrate the oxygen sensor 14 by correcting for inaccuracies and changes in the sensor output. The control system routines 102 are common to analyser and controller functions. These routines utilise a common data base, which is shared between the analyser and controller functions. The control system routines 102 comprise known algorithms resident in memory and accessible to the microprocessor 23, which executes these algorithms in a logical fashion. These algorithms have, as variables, output signals from the analog routines 101, which have been converted into engineering units. The microprocessor 23 then executes the following functions based on the results of these algorithms: controls process variable from a combustion process such as temperature or pressure; senses the oxygen and combustibles analog signals to control the process fuel/air ratio; controls internal operating temperatures used in the sensor assembly 11; and monitors and outputs to the operator the status of the system, i.e. purge, light off and remote trim. The analyser control routines 103 draw information from the controller section to control energisation of the heaters for the sensor mounting apparatus. The digital output routines 104 draw information from the control system routine to provide the status of both the analyser and the controller. The solenoid digital output routines 105 control gas flow to the analyser during a calibration cycle by operating the appropriate control valve to adjust zero setting, span and blowback. The analog output routines 106 supply analog outputs used by either the controller or analyser functions to provide control or to indicate current process conditions. The keyboard interface routines 107 are used to poll the keyboard 31. Inputs from the keyboard 31 can provide information to the process controller 12, the analyser, or both. The operator interface status decoding routines 108 determine the display status conditions and initiate the proper action required by signals inputted from the keyboard interface. These routines also regulate data flow sent to the display interface 24. The display interface routines 109 control the information displayed as determined by the operator interface status decoding routines 108. The signal scaling routines 110 communicate with the operator interface status decoding routines 108 to determine the information flow within the analog input, control system section, and the analog output routines 106. Based upon the current configuration selected by the user, these routines regulate the flow of information between the analog input, control system and analog output routines. Also, depending upon the status of the operator interface status decoding routines 108, the signal scaling routines 110 obtain information from the control system routines 102 and transmit that information to the display interface. The timing routines 111 regulate the autocalibration procedure. If the proper set of conditions exists, these routines enable the analog input and the control system routines 101, 102 to initiate the autocalibration cycle for the unit. Referring again to Figure 1, as previously indicated, the sensor assembly 11 provides various signal inputs, including signals proportional to oxygen concentration, combustibles concentration, oxygen sensor block temperature, combustibles sensor block temperature, and a cold junction compensator used in conjunction with the thermocouples used for temperature measurement. The sensor assembly 11 also contains heaters which are used to heat the sensors and the sample gas to predetermined, constant temperatures. The signal inputs are then fed to electronic circuits of the process controller 12 and are fed through the multiplexer and signal conditioners 21 and the A/D converter 22. These signals are then manipulated by firmware resident in the microprocessor 23. The results of these manipulations are made available to the user via the operator interface unit 24. Much of this same information is made available to analog outputs and digital outputs. The analog outputs are used to provide a direct indication of measured parameters, whereas the digital outputs provide information on the status of a particular variable. Heater control circuitry is used to convert logic level signals from the microprocessor 23 to the power levels needed by the sensor heaters. Alarm Prioritisation Routines Information flow for the combustion control system 10 is shown in Figure 3. Each measured variable is monitored by alarm detection and prioritisation routines. These routines compare the measured variables with predetermined limits or setpoints and produce a digital output signalling alarm status. These alarms are classified into five types: analyser alarms 121, trim alarms 122, sensor alarms 123, process alarms 124, and a high combustible safety alarm 125. The analyser alarms 121 and sensor alarms 123 are predefined alarms. The trigger limits are preset according to known correct analyser and sensor operating parameters. The other three types of alarms are dependent on the user's process, so they are user adjustable. These alarm indications are supplied to alarm prioritisation routines 126, to digital output interfaces 127, and to a control system interface 128. The digital output interfaces 127 are grouped according to the type of alarm they represent. These outputs can be used to provide a highly visible indication of a system fault as well as a rough indication of the type of fault which exists. The high combustibles safety alarm 125 can be used as a direct emergency fuel cutoff indication in cases where safe control of the process no longer exists. The alarm prioritisation routines 126 provide the operator with relevant information to aid in troubleshooting a fault. The prioritisation routines present fault information based on priority as well as detailed knowledge of the analyser system's internal operation. For example, there is a known relationship between the combustible block temperature and the accuracy of the combustibles sensor output. For this reason, the prioritisation routines will not display a combustibles concentration alarm if the combustibles block temperature is known to be faulty. Thus, the operator is not required to determine casual relationships within the analyser. Alarm priority ranking is illustrated in Figure 4, and is established as follows: 1. Electronics non-volatile memory error alarm (block 129) 2. Electronics A/D converter error alarm (block 130) 3. Process Variable Alarms (block 131) 4. Sensor Zero & Span Alarms (block 132) 5. Analyser Power Alarm (block 133) 6. Cold Junction Compensator Alarm (block 134) 7. Flange Manifold Temperature (block 135) 8. Oxygen concentration Alarm (block 136) 9. CO Block Temperature (block 137) 10. Combustibles Concentration Alarm (block 138) The prioritisation of the alarms is a direct result of sensor assembly construction. There are known relationships between various parts of the system as described. Certain configuration and calibration information is stored in memory which retains its content even after loss of power. This memory is referred to as Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). Other technologies exist for achieving the same function. If an EEPROM data error is detected (block 129), all inputs and configurations must be considered suspect; therefore, all other alarms are ignored. The same is true of an electronics A/D converted error (block 130). If the A/D converter 22 malfunctions, inputs must once again be considered erroneous. Thus, any other errors are not displayed. Process variable alarms 131 reflect the state of the user's process. They are not necessarily affected by analyser fault conditions, so they are always displayed. Sensor zero and span alarms 132 for both the oxygen and combustible sensors 14, 15 are always displayed because the alarms are also not necessarily caused by other analyser fault conditions. The analyser power alarm 133 has priority over any further alarms. If a power switch (not shown) is turned off, neither the cold junction compensator 18 (Figure 1) nor the sensor heaters (Figure 1) have power. Thus, both a cold junction compensator alarm and a temperature alarm will occur as a direct result of turning off the power and are therefore redundant indications of a known condition. The cold junction compensator 18 (Figure 1) is an integrated part of the temperature measurement of both the flange manifold and the combustible sensor block. If the cold junction compensator fails, these temperatures will be erroneous, the the sensor outputs will be invalid. Therefore, the cold junction compensator alarm 134 has priority over the remaining alarms because if the cold junction compensator reading is invalid, the other alarms will occur as a direct result of this condition, and are therefore redundant. If the flange manifold temperature is out of range, the oxygen sensor 14 will be affected. Therefore, the flange manifold temperature alarm 135 has priority over oxygen concentration alarms. However, if the flange manifold temperature is within range, the oxygen concentration alarms are valid. These alarms represent process conditions and do not affect the combustibles block temperature or concentration alarms 137, 138. If the CO block temperature is out of range, the CO sensor outputs will be invalid. Thus, the combustibles concentration alarms 138 will be ignored. Analyser and sensor alarms are also fed automatically to the control system through the control system interface 128. The interface 128 provides the control system with information which is necessary to disable the portions of the control system which are affected by fault conditions. Thus, proper operation of the control system when signal inputs are inaccurate is achieved. Operator identification and/or action based on these faults is not required to ensure safe operation. The system constantly monitors analyser parameters and informs the control system of abnormal conditions. Thus, the control system can default immediately to a predetermined condition. The system automatically prioritises analyser alarms and displays only relevant alarms. These alarms are displayed in easy to understand English sentences. The digital outputs provide a remote indication of system status as well as an additional safety output. These outputs inform the operator of abnormal conditions. A more detailed explanation of these conditions is then available through the operator interface. Multiple variables could be combined into one "SUPER" alarm. This alarm could then link to a single next alarm if the proper conditions are met, or it could link to several other alarms depending on the relationship between the variables being checked. Because certain relationships within the sensor assembly 11 are fixed, an error in a given area is known to cause certain other errors. In the system shown in Figure 3, no prioritisation is shown among the digital outputs. For example, an 02 and COMBL trim alarm will cause a digital output to trip even if the alarm is a result of a sensor or analyser alarm. It is apparent that the digital outputs can be prioritised in the same manner as the information to the screen. Process flow charts for alarm processing routines are shown in Figures 5 to 8. Referring first to Figure 5, in conjunction with Figure 1A, whenever an alarm condition exists the LED 51 is energised and flashes on and off to alert the operator of the existing alarm condition. The operator can view the status of current alarm conditions on the display 32 and can step from display to display by operating the appropriate keys ALARM ACK 49 and NEXT SCREEN 37. When the operator depresses the NEXT SCREEN key 37 in the alarm environment, the routine obtains the list of alarms, obtains the alarm being viewed and sets the pointer to the next valid alarm. The next valid alarm is the next alarm which can be displayed given the current alarm and the priority structure of the system. For example, with reference to Figure 4, if the flange manifold temperature is out of range, the next valid alarm is the CO block temperature alarm. An alarm check routine (Figure 7) is then called and, if the alarm is set, the alarm is displayed and the fact that the alarm is currently being displayed is stored in memory. If the alarm is not set, the routine increments through the list of alarms and continues through the loop. If the last alarm in the list of alarms has been checked, the pointer is returned to the beginning of the list of alarms. Checking then continues. The loop is exited through one of two means. If another valid alarm is found (see blocks 151, 152), the alarm is displayed. If the entire list of alarms has been checked and the alarm which is currently being displayed is the only valid alarm, no action is taken and the loop is exited. If the operator depresses the alarm acknowledge key 49, an alarm acknowledge routine (Figure 6) is executed and the routine then determines if alarms are currently being looked at. If not, the pointers are initialised, the list of alarms is pointed to, and the pointer is incremented. The alarm check routine (Figure 7) is called, under supervision of the pointer, to determine if any alarms are set. If at this time there are no alarms, then the phrase "no alarm" is displayed on the display unit 32. If there is an alarm, the alarm message is sent to the display. Referring to Figure 7, in the alarm check routine, if an alarm is set, a message identifying the alarm found is displayed on the display unit 32, an alarm acknowledged flag is set and the alarm found is set. The program then returns to the main stream. If the alarm is not set, the condition no alarm found is set and the program returns to the main stream. The alarm detection routine, illustrated in Figure 8, compares the value of an incoming parameter against the setpoint limits and, if there is an alarm condition, the alarm flag is set. If no alarm condition exists, the alarm flag is cleared, the alarm acknowledged flag is cleared and the program returns to the main stream. Referring to Figure 6, whenever the alarm acknowledge key 49 is depressed, the alarm acknowledge routine is executed. If there is an existing alarm, the pointer is initialised. Then, the pointer is incremented and, if there is another alarm, an alarm LED flash bit is set. If there are no more alarms, then the alarm acknowledged check routine is executed and, if an unacknowledged alarm is found, the alarm LED flash bit is set. Otherwise, if any alarm is found the pointer is set to the next valid alarm. Otherwise, the routine loops back to increment the pointer and search for any further alarms.

Claims: A control system including: a sensor assembly (11) having sensor means for providing output signals indicative of parameters; and controller means (12) comprising input means (21) for receiving said output signals provided by said sensor means, monitoring means for continuously monitoring said parameters and generating alarm signals, display means (23) for displaying alarm conditions in response to said alarm signals, prioritisation means (126) for automatically prioritising the display of said alarm conditions, and a memory; characterised in that: said control system is a combustion control system for controlling a combustion process; said controller means (12) is a process controller means operative to control said combustion process; said sensor means is operative to provide said output signals indicative of at least one parameter of said combustion control process; said controller means (12) includes signal processing means (23) responsive to said output signals provided by said sensor means to generate control outputs to maintain a desired operation of said combustion control process; said monitoring means forms part of said signal processing means (23) and is operative to continuously monitor parameters of the combustion control system including said at least one parameter of said combustion control process provided by said sensor means and to generate an alarm signal whenever any one of the monitored parameters deviates from a setpoint value; said prioritisation means (126) is operative automatically to prioritise said alarm signals to provide a display of select alarm conditions based on knowledge of internal operations of an analyser system which is a direct result of a construction of said analyser system; and said combustion control system and said prioritisation means (126) are operative to disregard suspect sensor readings through a program stored in said memory. A system according to claim 1, wherein a first group of the monitored parameters are predefined in terms of correct operation of the sensor assembly (11), and a second group of said parameters are selectable as a function of operating modes for the combustion control system, the system comprising user interface means (24) coupled to said signal processing means (23) to enable the user to apply to the signal processing means (23) selected setpoint values for said second group of parameters. A system according to claim 2, wherein said prioritisation means (126) is operative to cause a display of an alarm condition for deviation of any one of the parameters of said first group from respective set point values and to suppress display of an alarm condition for any one of the parameters of said second group in the presence of an alarm condition for any one of the parameters of said first group. A system according to claim 3, wherein certain ones of the parameters of said first group are internal system variables and said prioritisation means (126) is operative to cause display of an alarm condition whenever said certain parameters deviate from setpoint values, a further parameter of said first group is indicative of application of power to at least said sensor assembly (11) and said prioritisation means (126) is operative to cause display of an alarm condition whenever power is not applied to said sensor assembly, and wherein the parameters of the second group are indicative of conditions of the sensor, said prioritisation means (126) being operative to cause display of their alarm conditions only in the absence of alarm conditions for all parameters of said first group. A system according to claim 3, wherein said prioritisation means (126) is operative to control said user interface means (24) to display certain ones of said alarm conditions on said display means (32) and is operative to generate alarm signals corresponding to other ones of said alarm conditions for application to a control system interface (128) to effect adjustment in system operation in accordance with the alarms being generated. A system according to claim 3, wherein said sensor means includes a plurality of sensors (14 to 18) and wherein said prioritisation means (126) is responsive to an alarm signal indicative of a failure condition for a given one of said sensors to suppress the display of an alarm condition indicative of deviation from the setpoint value of the parameter monitored by said one sensor and to apply said alarm signal to a control system interface (128) to effect transfer of system operation to a known safe condition. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly (11) has at least first and second parameter sensor means each providing output signals indicative of different parameters of the process, the input means (21) of the process controller means (12) being arranged for receiving the output signals provided by the first and second parameter sensor means, wherein the monitoring means includes component sensing means for continuously monitoring operating conditions of the first and second sensor means and generating an alarm signal whenever a process parameter or a sensor operating condition deviates from a setpoint value, and wherein the display means (32) is provided by user interface means (24) coupled to said signal processing means (23). A system according to claim 7, wherein said user interface means (24) includes a keyboard (31), wherein the system parameters are predefined, and wherein process alarms (124) and trim alarms (122) which are a function of the process being controlled have their setpoints user adjustable via said keyboard (31) based on the user's knowledge of the process. A system according to claim 8, wherein said prioritisation means (126) is operative to cause a display of an alarm condition for deviation of any one of said system parameters from its respective setpoint value and to suppress display of an alarm condition for any one of said sensor operating conditions in the presence of an alarm condition for any one of said system parameters. A system according to claim 8, wherein said prioritisation means (126) is operative to cause display of an indication of an alarm condition for process parameters whenever they occur and to cause display of an indication of an alarm condition for a sensor operation condition only in the absence of an alarm condition for a process parameter. A system according to claim 10, wherein said alarm prioritisation means (126) is operative to establish prioritisation of alarm conditions to be displayed on said display means (32) for alarm conditions for sensor operating conditions for said first sensor means relative to said second sensor means.

Inventors: FRY JOHN JAMES, HALL GEORGE ROBERT II, SMITH ROBERT A, FRY, JOHN JAMES, HALL, GEORGE ROBERT II, SMITH, ROBERT A.
Applicants: INT CONTROL AUTOMATION FINANCE, INTERNATIONAL CONTROL AUTOMATION FINANCE S.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: F23N5
IPC codes: F23N5, F23N1, H05K7