Fire Propane effects

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi

I am a newbie with limited experience with electronics and Arduino.

I have experience with propane and fire.

Excuse me if my words are clumsy. :slight_smile:

I'm using this kit to ignite a propane pilot flame and reignite if flame is lost.

https://crystaltechnica.com/24v-mini-shield-igniter-controller-kit/

I want to use it with a propane flame projector/thrower assembly.

From what i understand the controller takes the 12v dc input then transforms it to about 120v ac and sends it to the hot surface igniter. It glows red and lights the gas flowing over it.

I think the controller sends 120v ac to the flame through the igniter and it is rectified through ionization in the flame and the controller receives a small dc rectified microamps current that tell the circuit to go into standby mode. This would be current flow when rod is negative i think.

If there is a micro-amps dc signal then the flame controller is off.

If no micro-amps to the flame rod through the flame the hot surface igniter attempts reingtion.

I dont really know whats in the controller as it is sealed in resin.

So the controller i bought works but i want to automate the process using an Arduino with a solenoid that is only open if flame is detected.

Our team has the arduino sorted apart from the flame sensing.

I am looking for advice about how to detect micro-amps flame rectified dc signal from a second flame rectifier sensor.

The flame controller will do its own thing but a second flame sensor will tell the arduino to open or close the gas valve.

The Arduino needs to detect the presence of a flame.

I dont think the infrared sensors are suitable.

Do you think any other flame sensor would be suitable like a thermocouple?

The project will be outside and at any time of the year in Scotland so infrared may melt, get wet or produce a false positive.

A thermocouple in the flame may be affected by ambient temperature meaning adjustment or calibration.

I am thinking flame rectifier. No flame no gas is the safest option.

Do you know of any board that could detect micro-amps or i could use in some way to detect the current?

I was looking at this board.

https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX31855.pdf

This boards detects millivolts i think.

Any help much appreciated.

Oh if Im on the wrong forum maybe you can recommend another.

Cheers

Max

Scotland.

2

Maybe you find something in this similar project:
https://www.pjrc.com/pilot-light-flame-sensor-for-burning-man-art/

3

Also now in Gigs and Collaborations
https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=684195.0

4

I am puzzled.

What does this have to do with an Arduino?

5

Paul__B:
I am puzzled.

What does this have to do with an Arduino?

Well, he has used the word Arduino 5 times in his text although I agree that some code and a schematic would help to make the thing look a bit more concrete, as would some sign of life from him explaining why the "pjrc" solution linked above has nothing useful for his, apparently very similar, project.

6

protlor:
The flame controller will do its own thing but a second flame sensor will tell the arduino to open or close the gas valve.

The Arduino needs to detect the presence of a flame.

I dont think the infrared sensors are suitable.

There are infrared sensor models literally marketed as flame sensors: Arduino Flame Sensor Interfacing to Build a Fire Alarm System, Flame Sensor - 5mm IR Diode - YG1006 [5533] : Sunrom Electronics

I have one in a sensor kit I bought a few years back and it responds quickly to the flame from a butane lighter. Beyond that I haven't used it in a project. A thermocouple could also work, but I'd expect the response time to be considerably slower.