Abstract:
Methods and systems for monitoring a flare burner with a camera. The methods and systems which may indicate to operators the presence or absence of one or more of smoke, flare flame, and steam plume and record those indications or measurements. Additionally, the methods and systems may confirm whether compliance with local regulations on visual emissions, smoke plume is achieved. The methods and systems automatically adjust the delivery rate of key inputs including measures assist fuel gas, purge gas, steam and/or air simultaneously to maintain or attain compliance with said local regulatory requirements. Also, methods for a machine learning process for using controller inputs to identify normal and abnormal flare states and provide visual indications and flare operation recommendations.
Abstract:
A sensor system (100) includes an eddy current sensor (120) including at least one coil (120a) with excitation electronics (121) coupled across the coil. An optical displacement sensor (140) is secured to the eddy current sensor so that a vertical distance between the sensors is fixed. The optical displacement sensor is located on top of and concentric with the coil so that a measurement axis of the optical displacement sensor is collinear with an axis of symmetry of the coil. A computing device (150) including a processor (151) and memory (152) is coupled to receive sensor data from the eddy current sensor and the optical displacement sensor that is adapted for analyzing the sensor data obtained from measuring a coated substrate (180) including a coating layer (187) on at least one side of a metal substrate (185) to determine at least a thickness of the coating layer.
Abstract:
A measurement apparatus (100) for weight measuring composite sheet (180) including a sheet material (180a) having a second material thereon as a coating (180b) and/or as embedded particles (180c) therein. The apparatus includes an x-ray sensor (110) for providing an x-ray signal from x-ray irradiating the composite sheet and an infrared (IR) sensor (120) for providing an IR signal from IR irradiating the composite sheet. A computing device (150) is coupled to receive the x-ray signal and the IR signal that includes a processor (151) having an associated memory (151) for implementing an algorithm, where the algorithm uses the x-ray signal and the IR signal to compute a plurality of weights selected from a weight of the sheet material, a weight of the second material, and a total weight of the composite sheet.
Abstract:
A method includes receiving (302) a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system (100). The method also includes determining (306) how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point (136) of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting (308) a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor (116), and a heater (114) could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.
Abstract:
An optical scanner for use in conjunction with an infrared spectrometer is disclosed. The optical scanner translates a beam of radiation to a stationary spot on a traveling sheet of material so that ample integration time within the spectrometer is achieved. The beam path impinges on the traveling web and the radiation is reflected off the traveling web back through the optical scanner and recombined at an interferometer. The beam of radiation is kept stationary with respect to both the traveling sheet and the carriage which houses the spectrometer.
Abstract:
A method includes receiving (302) a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system (100). The method also includes determining (306) how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point (136) of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting (308) a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor (116), and a heater (114) could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.