Cautious optimization strategy for emission reduction

摘要

A system of controlling combustion of fuel in a boiler having an adjustable air-to-fuel ratio. A first sensor is used to measure the CO production to provide a CO distribution range during a period of time for the combustion A second sensor measures the NO_x production to provide a NO_x distribution range during this period of time for the combustion. A controller adjusts the air-to-fuel ratio to cause combustion of the fuel within the CO distribution range and the NO_x distribution range to thereby cause the actual emission for the CO and NO_x distributions to average less than the maximum permitted. Preferred time ranges are from 15 to 30 minutes, and the air-to-fuel ratio is selected to produce actual emissions averaging 95% of said maximum.