Intelligent Sensor for Combustion Process Using Flame Conductivity Analysis

The power modules, based on the hydrocarbon fuels combustion, significantly influence the world ecology and economics. One of the ways to improve the power modules effectiveness is the combustion process optimization. Herewith the effective optimization is impossible without bringing into service the combustion process parameters feedback to the control system. It determines the relevance of the development and research of new control and measuring systems and methods of sensor signal processing for fuel combustion modules. One of the possible approaches to the combustion process control is flame electrical conductivity analysis. The flame electrical conductivity signal reflects many physical and chemical parameters of the combustion process which, at the same time, causes the difficulty of signal interpretation. However, the level of microcontroller technology progress and the methods of flame electrical conductivity analysis by now allows one to develop complex solutions of the inspection equipment for several combustion parameters evaluation from a single signal of flame electrical conductivity. This paper demonstrates the results of the research of the flame electrical conductivity and the ICE combustion process parameters interaction. The possibility of evaluating the heat generation speed, the energetics of the combustion process and gas operation in the cylinder is shown. On the basis of the performed research the intelligent sensor of the combustion process parameters in terms of flame electrical conductivity is developed. The results can be used in developing perspective control systems, diagnostic system and research of the modules with organic fuel combustion.