A method and apparatus for controlling a process in a system comprising pre-processing of a raw material, processing the pre-processed raw material and acquisition of the result of the processing of the pre-processed raw material, comprising the steps of: capturing input and output variables of the pre-processing; capturing output variables of the processing of the pre-processed raw material; creating a first, second and third process model for at least two different time scales, which describes the effects of adapting the pre-processing of raw material, the effects of adapting the processing of the pre-processed raw material, the effects of adapting the pre-processing of raw material and adapting the processing of pre-processed raw material on the output variables of the processing of pre-processed raw material; wherein the process in the system is controlled using the prediction of the process model which currently provides the best predictions for the process in the system.

Provided herein is a method for automated control of the gas turbine fuel composition through automated modification of the ratio of fuel gas from multiple sources. The method includes providing first and second fuel sources. The method further includes sensing the operational parameters of a turbine and determining whether the operational parameters are within preset operational limits. The method also adjusting the ration of the first fuel source to the second fuel source, based on whether the operational parameters are within the preset operational limits.

A system and method for heating process air is disclosed. Low NOx burners are provided with low temperature combustion air, e.g., less than about 0° C., and fuel at varying amounts to maintain a desired balance between low NO.sub.2 and low CO emissions. The amount of combustion air and the amount of fuel may be adjusted to achieve desired low NO.sub.2 and low CO via a feedback control system.

A flue gas analyser for determining the efficiency of a burner burning a supply gas and producing a flue gas by: calculating an efficiency of the burner based on a detected amount of a first target gas in the flue gas and an expected amount of the first target gas in the flue gas; predicting an amount of a second target gas in the flue gas based on the efficiency of the burner; estimating a composition of the supply gas based on a detected amount of the second target gas in the flue gas and the predicted amount of the second target gas in the flue gas; and correcting the calculated efficiency of the burner based on the estimated composition of the supply gas.

A control device is a control device for a gas turbine including a plurality of combustors and is configured to select combustors to ignite in accordance with a target load on the basis of a predictor which defines a relationship between a load and the number and arrangement of combustors to ignite and a combustion temperature.

A combustion analyzer configured to simultaneously detect the concentrations of oxygen, carbon monoxide and methane in a combustion process is provided. The combustion analyzer includes an oxygen sensor configured to detect the oxygen in the combustion process and generate a sensor signal indicative of the concentration of oxygen in the combustion process. The combustion analyzer further includes a dual carbon monoxide-methane sensor configured to operate at approximately 400° C. and provide a second sensor signal indicative of methane concentration and at approximately 300° C. to selectively provide a third sensor signal indicative of carbon monoxide concentration. The combustion analyzer finally includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signals, determine the concentration of oxygen, and generate a carbon monoxide concentration output and methane concentration output based on the dual carbon monoxide-methane sensor signals and the concentration of oxygen.

A mounting system for a laser detection sensor in a ductwork for the detection of unburnt fuel is provided. The mounting system includes a laser transmitter mount configured to provide adjustment of a laser transmitter and a laser receiver mount configured to provide adjustment of a laser receiver. The mounting system also includes a laser path extending between the laser transmitter and the laser receiver that includes an entrance port in the ductwork and an exit port in the ductwork. The mounting system also includes a flexible joint in the mounting system, where the flexible joint is configured to isolate at least one of the laser transmitter and the laser receiver from movement of the ductwork.

The present disclosure deals with the detection of a blockage in the air-supply duct or flue of a burner assembly. In some embodiments, a method or system may detect blockages in the form of coverings and with burner assemblies to burn fossil fuels. For example, a control device may generate: a first air-control signal; a fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the ionization-current setpoint; a setpoint increased by a specified amount from the ionization-current setpoint; and a changed fuel-control signal by adjusting the actual values of the ionization current to the increased setpoint in the case of a first air-control signal. The control device may evaluate the changed fuel-control signal generated based on the increased setpoint by comparing it with a specified maximum value and based on the evaluation, to detect a blockage. The control device may recognize the blockage based on the evaluation if the fuel-control signal generated using the increased setpoint exceeds the specified maximum value.

Systems and methods operate to infer a fuel composition in a combustion system. The fuel composition may be inferred by receiving measured operating parameters including one or more of fuel data defining fuel characteristics used in combustion within a heater of the combustion system, emissions data defining emission gasses exiting the heater, airflow data defining ambient air being supplied to the heater and airflow rate of the air within the heater. One or more relationships within the measured operating parameters may be identified that result in a list of potential fuel compositions. One of the potential fuel compositions from the list may be selected having sufficient likelihood of resulting in the measured operating parameters as an inferred fuel composition. The output the inferred fuel composition to a heater controller of the combustion system and used for automatic control thereof.

Provided is a combustion device including: a burner that includes an ammonia injection nozzle having an injection port that faces an inner space of a furnace; and an adjustment structure that adjusts a separation distance between the injection port and the inner space.