Description
1. Overview
GE 261A1812P013 is an industrial-grade Ultraviolet (UV) flame sensor exclusively designed for the Speedtronic turbine control system. It is compatible with the legacy GE Mark I / Mark II turbine control architectures, serving as the core front-end detection device for the Furnace Safety Supervisory System (FSSS) applied to gas turbines, steam turbines and industrial boilers.
Developed to cope with severe combustion conditions of thermal power plants, cogeneration plants and combined-cycle power units, the sensor adopts narrow-band ultraviolet spectrum induction principle to accurately capture flame signals inside furnaces. It effectively filters various interference noises including ambient lighting, infrared afterglow from hot furnace walls, equipment reflection and power frequency electromagnetic interference, eliminating false detection, missed detection and unnecessary alarms of flames.
As a classic flame detection component for turbine units, this sensor features compact structure and ultra-high reliability. It integrates a UV sensing probe, front-end signal conditioning circuit and anti-interference transmission structure. Without complicated algorithm configuration, it can steadily output standard flame detection signals compatible with the native signal logic and interlock protection mechanisms of legacy GE turbine systems.
The device has undergone industrial aging tests covering high temperature, vibration and EMC performance, supporting 24/7 non-stop long-term unit operation. It is widely adopted for maintenance replacement, spare parts renewal and optimization renovation of furnace safety monitoring loops on existing GE turbine flame monitoring systems, acting as an indispensable core sensing component for the FSSS systems of aging power plant units.
2. Technical Features
2.1 Pure UV Spectrum Detection with Excellent Anti-Interference Capability
The dedicated narrow-band UV detection technology only responds to the specific ultraviolet waveband generated by combustion flames, completely shielding invalid interference signals such as infrared radiation from hot furnace linings, natural sunlight, workshop illumination, mirror reflection of equipment and high-temperature furnace afterglow.
For turbine operating conditions featuring unstable combustion, drastic load fluctuation and complex light environment inside furnaces, the sensor can precisely distinguish genuine combustion flames from interfering light sources. It fundamentally prevents false and missed alarms via hardware design, ensuring the accuracy and stability of flame monitoring logic.
2.2 Ultra-Fast Dynamic Response for Transient Unit Start-Stop Conditions
Equipped with a high-sensitivity UV sensing core, the sensor delivers millisecond-level response to transient condition variations inside the furnace, including ignition, stable combustion, flame lifting, flickering and flameout.
It feeds back signals of flame loss and abnormal combustion instantly, providing sufficient action margin for safety logic such as fuel cut-off upon flame failure, flameout interlock protection and unit shutdown interlock. It effectively avoids major safety risks including furnace deflagration, fuel accumulation and backfire, perfectly adapting to dynamic operating scenarios such as unit startup/shutdown, load variation and grid disturbance.
2.3 Robust Industrial Structure Suitable for Harsh Furnace Conditions
The whole unit adopts a high-strength hermetically sealed industrial structure with outstanding vibration resistance, shock resistance, high temperature tolerance and flue gas corrosion resistance. It can withstand long-term harsh conditions around furnaces such as intense thermal radiation, dust accumulation, damp condensation and high-frequency equipment vibration.
Free of wearable mechanical moving parts, the sensor boasts an extremely low failure rate and superior anti-aging performance, meeting the demand for years of uninterrupted operation in power plants. Its operational stability far exceeds that of ordinary civilian flame detection equipment.
2.4 Native Perfect Compatibility with Legacy GE Turbine Systems
Custom-tailored for the classic GE Mark I and Mark II turbine control systems, its electrical parameters, signal output characteristics, timing logic and mounting dimensions fully comply with original factory standards. No system program modification, logic parameter resetting or wiring loop renovation is required.
When the old sensor suffers aging or failure, the new unit can be directly replaced in situ. It matches system logic right after power-on and seamlessly integrates into the original FSSS furnace safety monitoring architecture.
2.5 Stable Signal Output with Resistance to Transmission Attenuation
Built-in front-end signal shaping and filtering circuits process raw flame signals with noise reduction and conditioning before output. The signals feature high linearity, slight fluctuation, no attenuation during long-distance transmission and strong immunity to electromagnetic crosstalk.
It supports stable long-distance signal transmission under complex electromagnetic environments in power plants, eliminating system logic misjudgment, protection maloperation and frequent alarms caused by signal distortion and drift.
2.6 Calibration-Free & Easy Maintenance for Long-Term Service
Fixed detection parameters are adopted in hardware design with precise factory calibration. No routine zero calibration, sensitivity adjustment or parameter setting is required on site.
With built-in operating condition self-adaptation capability, the sensor maintains stable parameters and consistent sensitivity throughout long-term operation. Daily maintenance only involves dust cleaning on the probe surface, bringing simple maintenance procedures and low costs, well suited for unattended long-term stable operation of power plants.
3. Specification Parameters
3.1 Basic Parameters
- Model No.: 261A1812P013
- Manufacturer: GE / GE Vernova
- Device Type: Industrial Ultraviolet (UV) Flame Sensor
- Compatible Systems: GE Speedtronic Mark I, Mark II Turbine Control System, Power Plant FSSS Furnace Safety Supervisory System
- Core Functions: Real-time furnace flame detection, flame presence/absence discrimination, combustion status signal output, flameout abnormality feedback
- Applicable Equipment: GE gas turbines, steam turbines, combined-cycle generating units, industrial power station boilers
- Application Scenarios: Faulty sensor replacement for legacy units, renovation of furnace flame monitoring loops, maintenance & upgrade of FSSS systems, optimization of unit safety interlocks
3.2 Detection Performance Parameters
- Detection Principle: Narrow-band Ultraviolet (UV) Spectrum Induction Detection
- Detection Characteristic: Only responds to combustion-specific UV signals; shields infrared and visible light interference
- Response Speed: Millisecond ultra-fast response for capturing transient flameout and flame lifting events
- Detection Sensitivity: Industrial turbine-grade high sensitivity, applicable to weak stable combustion and low-load combustion conditions
- Signal Features: Stable output, high linearity, no zero drift, strong anti-interference performance
3.3 Electrical Parameters
- Operating Power Supply: Compliant with standard power supply specifications of GE turbine systems, low power consumption & stable operation
- Signal Loop: Dedicated flame signal transmission loop with built-in filtering, noise reduction and surge protection
- Electrical Protection: Overvoltage, electrostatic discharge and pulse interference protection to withstand transient industrial electrical disturbances
- Logic Adaptation: Fully consistent with flame judgment thresholds and interlock timing of Mark I/Mark II systems
3.4 Environmental Operating Parameters
- Operating Temperature: Adapted to high-temperature surroundings of furnaces, tolerates long-term thermal radiation
- Storage Temperature: -40℃ ～ +85℃
- Operating Humidity: 5%～95%RH (non-condensing)
- Environmental Resistance: Dust-proof, moisture-proof, flue gas corrosion resistant, vibration resistant, anti-electromagnetic radiation
- EMC Standard: Complies with power plant industrial EMC anti-interference standards, adaptable to strong electromagnetic interference inside cabinets
3.5 Structural & Maintenance Parameters
- Structure: Integrated hermetically sealed sensing construction without mechanical moving parts
- Mounting Method: In-situ installation on standard furnace sensing bases, easy assembly and disassembly
- Structural Advantages: Vibration-resistant, anti-aging, low failure rate, suitable for continuous long-term operation
- Maintenance Features: Pre-calibrated at factory (no commissioning needed), no regular calibration required; only periodic probe cleaning is necessary
4. Working Principle
After power-on, the GE 261A1812P013 UV flame sensor automatically completes hardware initialization and circuit self-check, and enters continuous flame monitoring mode once self-check is passed.
Relying on the high-sensitivity UV sensing core, the sensor selectively collects unique ultraviolet spectral signals released during fuel combustion inside the furnace. The internal narrow-band filter thoroughly eliminates invalid interference including infrared residual heat, ambient light and equipment reflection.
The acquired raw optical signals undergo pre-amplification, waveform shaping and noise reduction filtering, then are converted into standardized stable detection signals and continuously uploaded to the turbine main control system and FSSS furnace safety supervisory system.
The system judges furnace combustion status according to real-time signal intensity and continuity:
- Under normal stable combustion conditions, the sensor keeps outputting valid flame signals, and the system confirms normal combustion;
- In case of flame lifting, flameout or combustion interruption inside the furnace, UV signals disappear instantly, and the sensor feeds back abnormal signal status promptly.
Upon receiving the abnormality signal, the main control system immediately activates preset flameout protection logic to execute safety actions including fuel cutoff, alarm notification and interlock shutdown, so as to prevent deflagration accidents caused by accumulated residual fuel inside the furnace.
The sensor adapts to furnace condition fluctuations throughout the whole operation cycle with stable long-term parameters, delivering reliable continuous flame monitoring support for unit startup/shutdown, load variation and steady-state operation.
5. Application Scenarios
5.1 Flame Monitoring for Legacy GE Turbine Units
Specially matched with classic GE Mark I and Mark II gas & steam turbine units, it is the only original factory flame detection sensor compatible with these legacy turbine systems. It undertakes all-weather flame status monitoring for combustion chambers, ensuring reliable execution of combustion safety logic during unit startup, shutdown and steady-state operation.
5.2 Supporting Device for Power Plant FSSS Furnace Safety Supervisory Systems
As the core front-end sensing component of FSSS systems, it feeds back the flame status of each individual burner in real time. It provides accurate signal basis for furnace flameout protection, combustion fault alarms, fuel interlock cutoff and unit safety shutdown, building a solid safety barrier for the operation of power plant boilers and turbine combustion chambers.
5.3 Maintenance & Replacement for Outdated Equipment
For common failures of aged flame sensors including sensitivity degradation, signal drift, frequent false alarms, no flame signal output and probe burnout, this sensor can be replaced directly on site without modifying system logic, wiring layouts or mounting bases. It realizes low-cost repair of the monitoring system and restores the original operating performance of the unit.
5.4 Combustion Safety Monitoring for Industrial Thermal Equipment
Widely applied to various thermal combustion equipment such as large industrial incinerators, cogeneration boilers and industrial heating kilns. It adapts to complex combustion environments, accurately judges flame conditions and eliminates safety hazards such as deflagration after flameout and fuel leakage, meeting the requirements of continuous safe industrial production.
