Visualisation and measurement of flames in a gas-fired multi-burner boiler

The paper presents the development of an instrumentation system for the visualisation and measurement of flames in a gas-fired multi-burner boiler based on digital imaging and spectrometric techniques. The system consists of a rigid optical probe and an optical fibre, a digital camera, a spectrometer and an embedded computer with associated application software. The characteristic parameters of the flame, including size, temperature and oscillation frequency are quantitatively determined based on flame images obtained. The spectral characteristics of the flame are analysed over the spectral range from the ultraviolet to near infrared. The system was evaluated on a gas-fired heat recovery boiler under different operation conditions. Results obtained suggest the promising correlation between computed flame parameters and operation conditions.