Title of Invention	ZIGBEE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY BASED LEVEL INDICATORS FOR POWER PLANT APPLICATIONS.
Abstract	The invention relates to an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising, a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RE- module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and a centralized ash- level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control.

Title of Invention

ZIGBEE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY BASED LEVEL INDICATORS FOR POWER PLANT APPLICATIONS.

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising, a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RE- module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and a centralized ash- level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control.

Full Text	FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a method of ash level monitoring for Electrostatic Precipitator. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators in manufacturing plants. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a thermal power plant electrostatic precipitator is used for collecting fly ash from exhaust gas or flue gas from the furnace. This reduces pollution of the atmosphere. The hoppers at the bottom of Electrostatic Precipitator collect the fly ash and the ash is disposed to silos periodically by wet or dry ash handling system. The ash level measurement sensors probes level sensors fixed on the hoppers at a definite level. Signal wires from all the level sensors are run to a centralized level monitoring system. This results an increase in the number of cables to be used between the level sensors and the level monitoring system, which enhances the initial including the maintenance cost of the plant. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to propose an improved system for monitoring the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which eliminates the disadvantages of prior art. Another object of the invention is to propose an improved system for monitoring the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which adapts Zigbee based wireless technology to communicate between the level sensors and the central monitoring system. A further object of the invention is to propose an improved system for monitoring the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which adapts micro- controller based sensors and a software protocol thereby reduces the cable requirement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly there is provided an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising: - a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, Radio Frequency (RF) module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and - a centralized ash-level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control. The proposed invention reduces the cables and maintenance difficulties by using Zigbee based wireless technology to communicate between the level sensors and the centralized level monitoring system. In addition, a portable handled device can be used to monitor and control the sensors from remote locations. Hardware and software is required to establish Zigbee technology for interfacing communication between the level sensors and the centralized monitoring system. The proposed invention provides level sensor electronics with Zigbee stack and RF module. This invention includes implementation of hardware and software. The hardware of aforesaid shall be micro-controller based for the sensors including the data acquisition system. This data acquisition system collect status of various level sensors through Zigbee wireless technology based communication. The system of the invention allows any number of portable handheld devices to be used for monitoring the level sensors from multiple remote locations. The invention eliminates the usage of screened PTFE signal cables between the sensors and level indicators, and provides flexibility for additional level sensors to be included in the system without any hardware change in the centralized monitoring device. The invention eliminates additional wiring layout changes at the sensor side, and Integrates multiple sensor readings to a single centralized location. The software for establishing the Zigbee wireless communication is stored in a Flash program memory. The Flash program memory is a part of the Micro-controller in the sensor electronics means and the Zigbee coordinator. The system is thus enabled for transmitting and receiving data frames using Zigbee protocol. The micro controllers allow remote operation and control of the ESP, resulting in reduction of operation manpower. This invention can be used in the level indicators for bulk materials in the hoppers, silos, coal bunkers, etc. of thermal power plants, cement plants, steel plants and glass plants. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING Figure 1 - shows a schematic diagram of the improved system of the invention. DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure - 1 shows a schematic of the improved system. According to the invention, the signal from the level sensors are processed and are fed to the Zigbee end devices (07, 08). The level sensors together with the Zigbee stack, RF module along with requisite electronics forms the sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) of the system. The Zigbee end devices (07, 08) forms a part of the sensor electronics means. The Zigbee sensor electronics means [01, 02, 03, 04] are connected to a Zigbee coordinator [05] at the ground level using Zigbee wireless technology. The Zigbee coordinator (5) collects the status of various level sensors through Zigbee wireless technology based communication. The Zigbee coordinator (05) transmits the status of the level sensors to the centralized Ash level control and monitoring device [06] in the ESP control room. The sensor electronics means [01, 02, 03, 04] and the Zigbee coordinator [05] are micro-controller based systems. The hardware and software for the micro- controller based system establishes zigbee protocol for communicating between the level sensors and the centralized monitoring device [06]. The various ash levels and error status of all the hoppers can be displayed for trouble shooting and maintenance in the centralized monitoring device (06). Portable handheld devices with Zigbee Full Function Devices [07, 08] are used for monitoring the sensors from the multiple remote locations. WE CLAIM 1. An improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant- level controller of the ESP, the system comprising: - a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RF-module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and - a centralized ash-level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flash program memory is embedded in the system enabling Zigbee wireless communication. 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, constituting an embedded microcontroller based system. 1. An improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant- level controller of the ESP as substantially described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention relates to an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising, a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RE- module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and a centralized ash- level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of ash level monitoring for Electrostatic
Precipitator. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved system for
monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators in manufacturing plants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a thermal power plant electrostatic precipitator is used for collecting fly ash
from exhaust gas or flue gas from the furnace. This reduces pollution of the
atmosphere. The hoppers at the bottom of Electrostatic Precipitator collect the
fly ash and the ash is disposed to silos periodically by wet or dry ash handling
system. The ash level measurement sensors probes level sensors fixed on the
hoppers at a definite level.
Signal wires from all the level sensors are run to a centralized level monitoring
system. This results an increase in the number of cables to be used between the
level sensors and the level monitoring system, which enhances the initial
including the maintenance cost of the plant.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to propose an improved system for
monitoring the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which eliminates the
disadvantages of prior art.

Another object of the invention is to propose an improved system for monitoring
the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which adapts Zigbee based wireless
technology to communicate between the level sensors and the central monitoring
system.
A further object of the invention is to propose an improved system for
monitoring the ash level for an electrostatic precipitator, which adapts micro-
controller based sensors and a software protocol thereby reduces the cable
requirement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly there is provided an improved system for monitoring the ash level
for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing
wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the
plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising:
- a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a
Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a
plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, Radio Frequency (RF) module
including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and
- a centralized ash-level control and monitoring device (06) operably
connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of
the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the
processed data enabling operational control.

The proposed invention reduces the cables and maintenance difficulties by using
Zigbee based wireless technology to communicate between the level sensors and
the centralized level monitoring system. In addition, a portable handled device
can be used to monitor and control the sensors from remote locations.
Hardware and software is required to establish Zigbee technology for interfacing
communication between the level sensors and the centralized monitoring system.
The proposed invention provides level sensor electronics with Zigbee stack and
RF module. This invention includes implementation of hardware and software.
The hardware of aforesaid shall be micro-controller based for the sensors
including the data acquisition system. This data acquisition system collect status
of various level sensors through Zigbee wireless technology based
communication.
The system of the invention allows any number of portable handheld devices to
be used for monitoring the level sensors from multiple remote locations.
The invention eliminates the usage of screened PTFE signal cables between the
sensors and level indicators, and provides flexibility for additional level sensors to
be included in the system without any hardware change in the centralized
monitoring device. The invention eliminates additional wiring layout changes at
the sensor side, and Integrates multiple sensor readings to a single centralized
location. The software for establishing the Zigbee wireless communication is
stored in a Flash program memory. The Flash program memory is a part of the
Micro-controller in the sensor electronics means and the Zigbee coordinator. The
system is thus enabled for transmitting and receiving data frames using Zigbee

protocol. The micro controllers allow remote operation and control of the ESP,
resulting in reduction of operation manpower.
This invention can be used in the level indicators for bulk materials in the
hoppers, silos, coal bunkers, etc. of thermal power plants, cement plants, steel
plants and glass plants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Figure 1 - shows a schematic diagram of the improved system of the invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure - 1 shows a schematic of the improved system. According to the
invention, the signal from the level sensors are processed and are fed to the
Zigbee end devices (07, 08). The level sensors together with the Zigbee stack,
RF module along with requisite electronics forms the sensor electronics means
(01, 02, 03, 04) of the system. The Zigbee end devices (07, 08) forms a part of
the sensor electronics means. The Zigbee sensor electronics means [01, 02, 03,
04] are connected to a Zigbee coordinator [05] at the ground level using Zigbee
wireless technology. The Zigbee coordinator (5) collects the status of various
level sensors through Zigbee wireless technology based communication. The
Zigbee coordinator (05) transmits the status of the level sensors to the
centralized Ash level control and monitoring device [06] in the ESP control room.

The sensor electronics means [01, 02, 03, 04] and the Zigbee coordinator [05]
are micro-controller based systems. The hardware and software for the micro-
controller based system establishes zigbee protocol for communicating between
the level sensors and the centralized monitoring device [06].
The various ash levels and error status of all the hoppers can be displayed for
trouble shooting and maintenance in the centralized monitoring device (06).
Portable handheld devices with Zigbee Full Function Devices [07, 08] are used
for monitoring the sensors from the multiple remote locations.

WE CLAIM
1. An improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic
precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless
communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-
level controller of the ESP, the system comprising:
- a plurality of sensor electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a
Zigbee coordinator (05), the sensor electronics means comprising a
plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RF-module including a plurality of
Zigbee end device (07, 08); and
- a centralized ash-level control and monitoring device (06) operably
connectable to the Zigbee coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of
the status of the level sensors via Zigbee protocol and display the
processed data enabling operational control.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flash program memory is
embedded in the system enabling Zigbee wireless communication.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, constituting an embedded
microcontroller based system.

1. An improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic
precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless
communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-
level controller of the ESP as substantially described and illustrated herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to an improved system for monitoring the ash level for electrostatic precipitators (ESP) in manufacturing plants, the system providing wireless communication interface between the field-level controllers and the plant-level controller of the ESP, the system comprising, a plurality of sensor
electronics means (01, 02, 03, 04) connectable to a Zigbee coordinator (05), the
sensor electronics means comprising a plurality of level sensor, Zigbee stack, RE-
module including a plurality of Zigbee end device (07, 08); and a centralized ash-
level control and monitoring device (06) operably connectable to the Zigbee
coordinator (05) for receiving data in respect of the status of the level sensors
via Zigbee protocol and display the processed data enabling operational control.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=pTAZch7NvFN+bQpYq2a9TQ==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==

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Patent Number

268391

Indian Patent Application Number

431/KOL/2007

PG Journal Number

36/2015

Publication Date

04-Sep-2015

Grant Date

27-Aug-2015

Date of Filing

21-Mar-2007

Name of Patentee

BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED,

Applicant Address

REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION (ROD), PLOT NO:9/1, DJBLOCK, 3RD FLOOR, KARUNAMOYEE, SALT LAKE CITY, KOLKATA-700 091

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	ARUMUGAM MARIMUTHU	BOILER AUXILIARIES PLANT, BHEL, RANIPET-632 406,
2	BALAKRISHNAN VENKATESHWAR	BOILER AUXILIARIES PLANT, BHEL, RANIPET-632 406,
3	MUNIYANDI SHANTHI VASANTHA RANI	BOILER AUXILIARIES PLANT, BHEL, RANIPET-632 406,
4	DIVYA SASEENDRA PAI	BOILER AUXILIARIES PLANT, BHEL, RANIPET-632 406,

PCT International Classification Number

H04Q 7/20

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA