Combustion plant monitoring and control using infrared and video cameras

For an optimal combustion of fuels with changing properties advanced control strategies based on a continuous process monitoring are necessary. The monitoring is performed by cameras in conjunction with an automatic image analysis to provide additional information for the adaption. In this paper we discuss the capabilities and limitations of video and infrared camera for monitoring and control at the example of grate firing plants and rotary kilns. The software system INSPECT is introduced which provides the online image analysis for an camera aided combustion control.