CN-224231664-U - System for estimating total dissolved solids concentration in boiler water and steam boiler

Abstract

A system (12) for estimating Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration in boiler water is described, comprising a sensor (14) having a transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency or microwave signal into the boiler water and a receiver configured to receive a reflected signal from the boiler water reflected by the radio frequency or microwave signal, and an analysis module (16) configured to determine a conductivity value of the boiler water based on the reflected signal and to determine the TDS concentration of the boiler water based on the conductivity. A steam boiler comprising the system is also described.

Inventors

• Michael. Agorum
• CHRIS DODDS
• Giuliano Katribu

Assignees

• 斯普瑞斯-萨克有限公司
• 诺丁汉大学

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230706

Priority Date

20220721

Claims (8)

1. 1. A system for estimating Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration in boiler water, the system comprising: A sensor having a transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency or microwave signal into the boiler water and a receiver configured to receive a reflected signal from the boiler water reflected by the radio frequency or microwave signal, and An analysis module configured to determine a conductivity value of the boiler water based on the reflected signal and determine a total dissolved solids concentration of the boiler water based on the conductivity value.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis module is further configured to determine a reflectance based on the reflectance signal and to determine the conductivity value based on the reflectance.
3. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control module configured to determine whether the total dissolved solids concentration exceeds a threshold, and take action if the total dissolved solids concentration does exceed the threshold.
4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control module outputs an alert to an operator if the total dissolved solids concentration exceeds the threshold.
5. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein if the total dissolved solids concentration exceeds the threshold, the control module opens a blowdown control valve to reduce the total dissolved solids concentration.
6. 6. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is an open coaxial probe.
7. 7. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the analysis module comprises a vector network analyzer.
8. 8. A steam boiler comprising a system according to any of claims 1 to 7.

Description

System for estimating total dissolved solids concentration in boiler water and steam boiler Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a system for estimating total dissolved solids concentration in boiler water and a steam boiler comprising the system. Background As the boiler produces steam, any impurities in the boiler feed water that do not evaporate with the steam will collect in the boiler water. As the total dissolved solids (Total Dissolved Solids, TDS) become more concentrated, the steam bubbles tend to become more stable and do not collapse when they reach the boiler water surface. By a point (depending on the boiler pressure, size and steam load) most of the steam space in the boiler becomes filled with bubbles and foam is carried to the steam header. This is undesirable not only because the steam is too humid as it leaves the boiler, but it also contains boiler water with a high content of dissolved or possibly suspended solids. These solids can contaminate the control valves, heat exchangers, and steam traps. TDS comes from dissolved organic and inorganic materials in boiler feed water. In particular, common salt components in boiler feedwater include calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphate, and nitrate. In order to avoid performance and safety problems in boilers, it is necessary to measure, monitor and control the TDS concentration in the boiler water. Disclosure of utility model According to one aspect, a system for estimating Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration in boiler water is provided, the system comprising a sensor having a transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency or microwave signal into the boiler water and a receiver configured to receive a reflected signal from the boiler water reflected from the radio frequency or microwave signal, and an analysis module configured to determine an electrical conductivity value of the boiler water based on the reflected signal and to determine the TDS concentration of the boiler water based on the electrical conductivity. The analysis module may be further configured to determine a reflectance based on the reflected signal and to determine a conductivity value based on the reflectance. The system may also include a control module configured to determine whether the TDS concentration exceeds a threshold and take action if the TDS concentration does exceed the threshold. If the TDS concentration exceeds a threshold, the control module may output an alert to the operator. If the TDS concentration exceeds the threshold, the control module may open the blowdown control valve to reduce the TDS concentration. The sensor may be an open coaxial probe. The probe may be a high pressure-high temperature probe. The analysis module may include a vector network analyzer. According to another aspect, there is provided a steam boiler comprising the above system. According to another aspect, there is provided a method of estimating Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration in boiler water, the method comprising transmitting a radio frequency or microwave signal into the boiler water, receiving a reflected signal from the boiler water reflected from the radio frequency or microwave signal, determining an electrical conductivity value of the boiler water based on the reflected signal, and determining the TDS concentration of the boiler water based on the electrical conductivity. The method may further include determining a reflectance based on the reflected signal, wherein the conductivity value is determined based on the reflectance. A sensor probe may be used to transmit and receive radio frequency or microwave signals. The sensor probe may be an open coaxial probe. Alternatively, a coaxial transmission line or a resonant cavity measurement system connectable to a drain line may also be used to transmit and receive radio frequency or microwave signals. The method may further include determining whether the TDS concentration exceeds a threshold and taking action if the TDS concentration does exceed the threshold. The action may include providing an alert to the operator. The means may include opening a blowdown control valve to reduce TDS concentration. Drawings For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a steam boiler plant having a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 (a) is a front view of the probe of the system, and FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the probe, and Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a steam boiler device 2. The steam boiler arrangement 2 comprises a steam boiler 4. The steam boiler 4 is connected to a water feed line 6 and a steam header 8. Water 10 is pumped from a feed tank to the boiler 4 by a feed pum