Measuring and testing – Gas analysis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-26
2001-04-10
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Gas analysis
C073S023310, C073S863820
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212937
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to stack gas emissions monitoring systems using moveable gas differential pressure and temperature measurement devices whose readings are electronically recorded for analysis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Environmental standards require that gaseous emissions from smokestacks, particularly large stacks such as used by utility companies in the generation of electric power, meet predetermined emission standards. Periodic testing of the gaseous stack emissions is required and conducted, and reports are regularly submitted to the appropriate government environmental agencies.
In the past, gaseous stack emissions were determined by locating differential pressure and temperature measurement devices temporarily within the smokestack at predetermined locations, and the measurements were manually recorded. Such recording was accomplished by one individual placing the measurement devices into the flue gas stream within the smokestack, and another individual nearby recording the readings from analog instruments connected to the output of the measurement devices.
Usually, the stack gases are monitored at more than one horizontal location within the smokestack, and several ports, or openings in the stack wall to facilitate such measurements, are arranged along a horizontal plane around the circumference of the smokestack. This traditional system of flue gas flow measurement is expensive and time consuming (requiring two operators), and is subject to errors in the reading of the analog meters, data recording at the test location, and subsequent data transcription to computer spreadsheets for the final calculations and report.
A variety of sophisticated electronic systems and devices have been utilized in the analysis of emissions from various sources, and such devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,561,288, 4,786,472, 5,206,818, 5,415,025, 5,479,359, and 5,526,280. However, devices such as shown in these patents are not specifically designed for the measurement of volumetric flow of stack gas emissions.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for economically measuring the volumetric flow of flue gas emissions wherein such measurements require only a single operator and accurate readings are assured.
A further object of the invention is to provide a system for measuring volumetric flow of flue gas emissions which may be readily used by a technician with minimal training, is concise in its size and easily handled under difficult conditions and in cramped quarters, and wherein the readings of the measurement system are accurately recorded and stored for analysis purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the practice of the invention, an electronic data logger records the output of a temperature sensing thermocouple, and a pair of differential pressure transducers. The output of these transducers into the data logger is controlled by a remote control device hardwired to the data logger and operated by the same person that operates the probe on which the measurement devices are located. When the probe is properly positioned in the flue gas stream within the smokestack, a “read” pushbutton is actuated by the operator to read, and then store the output values of the transducers at that time. The operator will sequentially locate the probe at predetermined locations within the smokestack so that the data logger can measure and record temperature and differential pressures at the predetermined number of locations in the cross sectional area of the flue gas flow. In this manner, variations in the flue gas flow due to turbulence, wall friction, and the like, can be determined.
The remote control module also includes pushbuttons to “reverse” and “advance” the data logger measurement point, whereby the past measurement points can be remeasured if thought to be in error, and the data logger can then be advanced to the next position at which readings are to be taken.
In order to be assured that the data logger has received all of the necessary information at each position within the smokestack, a dual-colored red/green LED is located on the remote control device, and will display a green light if the correct measurements have been recorded. Conversely, if there is an error in the measurement due to unintelligible or spurious readings, the LED will display a red light, and the operator can then remeasure at that location. The remote control device also is equipped with a back lighted LCD, which displays the numerical location of the current measurement point, and the value of the temperature and differential pressure measurements.
The electronic data logger may be directly connected to a personal computer (PC), or may be connected to an electronic data storing device for later input into a PC. The data logger software installed on the PC allows the user to view and evaluate the readings taken within the smokestack. The apparatus used in the practice of the invention is conventional equipment commercially available, and the practice of the invention significantly improves the accuracy, speed and cost of flue gas volumetric flow measurement methods currently in use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4526028 (1985-07-01), Hubner
patent: 4561288 (1985-12-01), Moenkhaus
patent: 4607963 (1986-08-01), Ulrickson
patent: 4786472 (1988-11-01), McConnell et al.
patent: 5206818 (1993-04-01), Speranza
patent: 5415025 (1995-05-01), Bartman et al.
patent: 5479359 (1995-12-01), Rogero et al.
patent: 5526280 (1996-06-01), Consadori et al.
patent: 5970781 (1999-10-01), Hiss, III et al.
patent: 6095682 (2000-08-01), Hollander et al.
Gardner Brian R.
Hubert David J.
Pape Brian C.
Consumers Energy Company
Larkin Daniel S.
Young & Basile P.C.
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