Slag zone mapping

Abstract

Solutions for mapping slag zones in a boiler are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an obtainer for obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane; a determinater for determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors; an identifier for identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of grid sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and a user interface module for displaying the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least one grid sensor.

1 . A slag zone mapping system comprising:
 an obtainer for obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane;   a determinater for determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors;   an identifier for identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of grid sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and   a user interface module for displaying the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least one grid sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface module generates a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     
     
         3 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein the obtainer obtains data about a location of a slag zone via a user input at the user interface. 
     
     
         4 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein the determinater determines the flow distribution based on a sensor grid data versus burner conditions data correspondence. 
     
     
         5 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface module generates a graphical display for displaying a graphical representation of the flow distribution of the working fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 1 , wherein the obtainer uses a slag sensor to gather data about a location of the slag zone within the boiler. 
     
     
         7 . The slag zone mapping system of  claim 6 , further including:
 the boiler having:
 the plurality of burners; 
 the working fluid heated by the plurality of burners; and 
 the sensor grid in contact with the working fluid. 
   
     
     
         8 . A boiler comprising:
 a plurality of burners;   a working fluid heated by the plurality of burners;   a sensor grid in contact with the working fluid; and   a slag zone mapping system connected to the sensor grid and the plurality of burners, the slag zone mapping system including:
 an obtainer for obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane; 
 a determinater for determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors; 
 an identifier for identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of grid sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and 
 a user interface module for displaying the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least grid one sensor. 
   
     
     
         9 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface module generates a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     
     
         10 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the obtainer obtains data about a location of a slag zone via a user input at the user interface. 
     
     
         11 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the determinater determines the flow distribution based on a sensor grid data versus burner conditions data correspondence. 
     
     
         12 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface module generates a graphical display for displaying a graphical representation of the flow distribution of the working fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The boiler of  claim 8 , wherein the obtainer uses a slag sensor to gather data about a location of the slag zone within the boiler. 
     
     
         14 . A program product stored on a computer readable medium, which when executed, performs the following:
 obtaining data about a location of a slag zone within a boiler, the slag zone being one of a plurality of slag zones in a slag plane;   determining a flow distribution of a working fluid within the boiler, the flow distribution originating at a plurality of burners and intersecting the slag zone and a sensor grid including a plurality of grid sensors;   identifying at least one grid sensor in the plurality of sensors that is intersected by the flow distribution of the working fluid; and   displaying, on a user interface, the flow distribution of the working fluid from the plurality of burners to the at least one grid sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the user interface includes a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     
     
         16 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the obtaining includes observing the location of the slag zone through physical observation and entering the data about the location of the slag zone into the user interface. 
     
     
         17 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the determinater determines the flow distribution based on a sensor grid data versus burner conditions data correspondence. 
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the displaying includes mapping a graphical representation of the flow distribution of the working fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 18 , wherein the graphical representation is a three-dimensional representation. 
     
     
         20 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the obtaining includes using a slag sensor to gather data about a location of the slag zone within the boiler.