Flame Scanners and Detectors

In combustion applications, flame scanners (flame detectors) validate the existence of flame in many hazardous environments and applications, such as hydrogen stations, industrial heating systems, drying systems, industrial gas turbines, combustion chambers, and industrial flares. Their use is critical to ensure that any fuel entering combustion equipment is consumed and not accumulating unburned, presenting a safety hazard.

Unique flame features distinguish the types of flames produced by various burners and compounds. Proper flame detection requires knowledge of the flame itself, its emissive properties, and other features. Apart from temperature, flame scanners and detectors often use radiation and the production of ionized gas molecules to detect the presence of the flame. 

Modern scanners detect the presence or absence of flames that emit ultraviolet radiation (UV). Typical fossil fuels which emit UV include natural gas, propane, methane, butane, kerosene, light petroleum distillates, and diesel fuels. For burners firing steam-atomized oil or pulverized coal, use infrared (IR) scanners. In some situations, specific photoelectric detectors may detect a distinctive flicker in any flame invisible to the naked eye. 

For over three decades, Combustion Technology has applied flame scanning and detection solutions and equipment for process heating applications. Call them with any flame detection requirement.

http://combustion-tech.net
800-327-1831

Hydrogen Ready Flame Scanners

With the global energy market's increasing need for hydrogen (H2), proper flame detection and discrimination are crucial. Although ultraviolet detection is commonly utilized for H2 flame detection, it is only a tiny part of accurate detection. 

H2 is frequently used in conjunction with variable ratios of natural gas or other gasses to produce fluctuating flame characteristics. The wavelength of a typical H2 flame ranges from 220nm to 600nm, most of the time being in the 300nm range. Although this is outside the standard detection range of Gieger-Muller tube technology, contemporary solid-state sensors are more than competent. The flame flicker frequency changes as the H2 / gas ratio changes, implying that proper detection and discrimination require flame scanner technology to address these shifting flame profiles.

Fireye's InSight® scanners have shown to be effective in various H2 and H2 / gas mixture applications. While different flame scanners can detect the UV signal, not all of them have the many frequency settings needed to detect and differentiate. The InSight® range from Fireye features 21 adjustable frequency ranges and the option to keep four alternative sets for multiple fuel variations. These memory values can be changed during detection using two-wire communication. Fireye's InSight® series is available in IR or UV or in a dual UV & IR configuration, allowing you to add IR detection to the flame discriminating profile if necessary. All Fireye InSight® scanners are now available in ATEX and IECEx hazardous environment versions.

Fireye's InSight® Features

• Infrared, ultraviolet or both 
• 21 Frequency ranges
• State of the art algorithms • A TEX & IECEx options
• Global certifications 
• SIL 3 certified

To discuss your flame detection / scanning application in the Pacific Northwest, contact Combustion Technology. Call 800-327-1831 or visit https://combustion-tech.net.

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Save 25% when you bundle any Flame Scanner with SureFire II Spark Igniters now through June 25, 2021.

Contact Combustion Technology for more information.

Combustion Technology, LLC
https://combustion-tech.net
800.327.1831 

Combustion Technology, LLC

Combustion Technology, LLC will expertly help you:

• Apply Process Heating Equipment & Combustion Components
• Engineer Systems
• Regulatory Safety Audits
• Troubleshoot Combustion Equipment
• Provide Upgrades & Repairs
• Provide Maintenance Agreements
• Combustion Efficiency Audits
• UL 508 Control Panels

http://combustion-tech.net
800-327-1831

Flame Scanners Used in Industry

Flame detectors or scanners are regularly deployed in combustion applications as a means of confirming the presence of flame in a combustion chamber. The verification that fuel flowing into the utilization equipment is being properly burned and not accumulating unburned in the combustion chamber is the first line of safety in combustion.

Flame scanners use the characteristics of combustion and the electromagnetic emissions from burning fuel to detect flame and distinguish among flames from multiple burners. The instruments rely heavily upon operating principles utilizing visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light measurement and detection.

In single burner applications, simpler sensor and controller combinations can work suitably, but multiple flame applications are candidates for more complex detection devices and controls which can discriminate among multiple flames. Differences in individual flame characteristics, indicated through combustion products, can be utilized to distinguish between flames from different burners. Some photoelectric detectors can distinguish a signature flicker in flames of any type, invisible to the human eye.

Knowledge and understanding of the flame itself, its emissive attributes, and other characteristics are the key to proper flame detection. This may include the temperature of gases within the flame and its specific gas products. Other than temperature, electromagnetic radiation and ionized gas molecules in the flame are commonly used by flame scanners or detectors.

A variety of flame scanners are available for industrial and commercial use, each optimized for particular application sets. Essentially you have a scanner, which acts as a sensor. The signal from the scanner requires amplification and further processing to provide a reliable control signal. Hardware is available as discreet components, allowing a combination of scanner, amplifier, and control units to be combined into a system tailored for specific application requirements. Integrated systems are also available, with all appropriate detection and amplification circuitry built into a single compact unit.

Share your combustion process challenges with application specialists and combine your facility and process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.