It comes together what belongs together

Merger of the BST Solutions GmbH with BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Already in July 2021 BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH and BST Solutions GmbH have jointly created the brand name FLAMONITEC® in order to increase awareness especially outside Europe.

Hereby, we want to express our core competence in short form: Flame Monitoring Technology. And this in the entire bandwidth.

Since 2004, BST Solutions GmbH has been active in the field of flame monitoring for original equipment manufacturers of heating technology and industrial firing equipment. For this BST Solutions GmbH uses the experience and patents of BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH, which has been active in the field of flame monitoring for power plants, petrochemical plants and gas turbines since 1973.

These experiences have encouraged us to cooperate more closely also economically. On 31.05.2023 BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH has taken over all shares of BST Solutions GmbH retroactively to 01.01.2023.

Both companies merge to form BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH.

Through this merger, all business activities will be transferred to BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH with immediate effect. As part of this change, you can expect a seamless transition in our day-to-day business. Our dedicated team members will continue to serve you with the same level of professionalism, efficiency and attention to detail.

We are confident that this change will help us serve you even better and provide you with even greater value in the flame monitoring field.

Please do not hesitate to contact us personally for further information.

Our new distribution partner Duomo

We are pleased to announce our new distribution partnership with Duomo.

Duomo will be servicing our customers in the UK and supporting them with our products.

Duomo (UK) Ltd has been designing, developing and manufacturing gas testing systems and gas detectors since 1994. Reliability and value for money have made Duomo (UK) Ltd a preferred supplier to local authorities, national facilities management and installation companies throughout Europe. Duomo (UK) Ltd works closely with consultants and architects to ensure that the requirements of all relevant standards are met. The Duomo design, manufacturing and testing facility in Droitwich, Worcestershire has been conceived to bring new products onto the market as quickly as trends and standards change.

We look forward to expanding the presence of Flame Control in the UK with Duomo as our new partner!

For more information about Duomo, please visit their official website: https://duomo.co.uk/

Infrared flame detector: Flicker detector KLC20, KLC2002 and KHM20

Especially in simple furnaces, flicker detectors are used to detect the flame. They use infrared radiation (heat radiation) to detect a flame. According to the applicable EN 298 standard, flame detectors, known as flicker detectors, may only react to the flickering of the flame if their maximum spectral sensitivity is above 800nm. Infrared flicker detectors are a very good way of visual flame monitoring, especially in individual furnaces without strongly glowing combustion chamber linings. They provide a distance to the flame and are wear-free.

BST Solutions GmbH offers various models with this flame monitoring principle: the KLC20, KLC2002 and the robust compact flame detector KHM20.

We will be glad to help you with the selection of the flame monitor suitable for your application!

Fuel conversion:
Simple adaptation of flame monitoring

In order to secure energy production, many applications are currently examining whether it is possible to change the type of energy. For example, from natural gas to biogas or oil firing. The type of flame monitoring is of central importance when considering the burner concept. Optical monitoring systems from BST Solutions GmbH can be used with a wide variety of fuels without the need for replacement. The KLC20, for example, has been successfully used for many years by manufacturers of dual fuel burners.

We would be happy to advise you as a manufacturer of combustion equipment on your specific areas of application!

Flame detector: function and application

Safe, reliable and low-maintenance – the requirements for flame monitoring are high. After all, the flame detector fulfils a crucial function: it ensures the safe operation of a burner by monitoring the system and shutting it down in the event of a malfunction. In this article, we would like to introduce you to the design, the functional principle and the areas of application of our flame detectors.

The construction

Flame detectors consist of various assemblies. In order for flame detectors to be able to detect a flame, they require a sensor (flame sensor). This sensor converts the flame radiation into a voltage or current signal. This signal is then processed by an amplifier for signal evaluation. In this signal evaluation, which consists for example of a microprocessor, it is decided on the basis of the signal whether the flame is “On” or “Off”. A relay is then switched “On” or “Off” accordingly. To ensure that the optimum flame signal can always be detected for the different applications (UV, daylight and infrared ranges), the following sensors can be used:

  • optical sensors
  • Ionisation electrodes (flame rod)
  • thermocouples
  • Acoustic sensors

The task of the flame detector is to switch off in good time if the flame is weak or has gone out. If there is a fault, i.e. the flame is too weak or has gone out, a signal is sent to the burner control unit, which then switches off the entire system for safety reasons. This prevents, for example, gas from being fed into the combustion chamber in an uncontrolled manner, thus increasing the risk of explosion. To fulfil this function, flame detectors use the above-mentioned sensor variants. The signal is then forwarded to an evaluation unit. The special feature here is that each of our flame detectors has its own independent approval and can therefore be easily integrated into the existing burner control system.

The functional principle of our flame detectors

We use an optical flame detector for our flame detectors. The sensors convert flame radiation in different wavelength ranges into electrical signals so that the flame signal can be digitally evaluated. This means that systems that are not suitable for other methods can also be monitored. These include, for example, plants that burn biomass. There are also other advantages:

  • Fast flame detection
  • Distance to the flame
  • Suitable for all types of fuels with carbonaceous to carbon-free flames
  • Less susceptible to failure due to robustness against contamination by dust, grease, etc. from the environment or components from biomass, landfill gas, sewage gas, biogas and gases from fracking processes
  • Wear-free (our models KLC20/2002; IFR/IFC400)
  • The right choice of sensors results in the optimal balance between safety and availability

Safety is the first essential function of our flame detectors. As soon as there is a fault, they reliably switch off the system. However, if the flame sensor is set too sensitively, this means that units are switched off without any actual need. This can cause cold flats in private households and costly downtimes in industrial applications. For this reason, the functional principle of flame detectors is always in the area of conflict between safety and availability.

High quality for reliable availability

To resolve this conflict, we develop our flame detectors to the highest quality standards and with the most modern technology. Various processes are used in the process:

  • Complete final testing of all units
  • Sub-assembly testing of all components installed by us
  • Quality standards already in the development phase
  • Consulting and individual product development for our customers

Before we develop a flame monitoring system for a customer, we carry out a detailed application analysis and, based on this, provide comprehensive advice. On this basis, we design our devices as precise but also robust solutions. In this way, we ensure the reliable function of our flame detectors for the respective application.

Application areas

Our flame detectors can be used universally, independent of specified automatic firing systems. Since we focus on customised designs, original equipment manufacturers benefit from flexible integration of our solution into their specific firing systems. BST flame detectors are autonomously approved and can be directly integrated into a wide variety of control processes. This makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, from domestic gas burners to large-scale systems such as industrial pizza ovens.

“Flamonitec”: Joint brand name for BST Solutions and BFI Automation

  • BST Solutions and BFI Automation to operate as “Flamonitec” in future
  • Brand name to underline overall competence
  • First plans for the new year

Two companies, one common brand name: The established flame monitoring specialists BFI Automation and BST Solutions are now cooperating under the new brand name “Flamonitec”. Both companies, which are part of the Mindermann Group, want to emphasise their cooperation more clearly with the new brand name. The aim is to focus on the overall competence and the world’s largest supply portfolio for flame monitoring systems. BFI Automation is primarily active as a project partner in flame monitoring for industrial plant construction, while BST Solutions primarily develops customised solutions for original equipment manufacturers in heating and combustion technology.

“In order to be able to continue to grow, especially outside Europe, we are bundling the activities of BFI Automation Mindermann GmbH and BST Solutions GmbH under the Flamonitec brand umbrella,” explains Eberhard Röllecke, Managing Director at BST Solutions. Flamonitec is a made-up word made up of the first syllables of English-language expressions: Flame, Monitoring and Technology. Flame, monitoring and technology – all key terms in flame monitoring. “Our new brand name makes it clear that we offer the right device or system for all requirements, from heating technology to large power plants and from small industrial furnaces to large gas turbines.”

What changes for customers?

The legal forms of both companies remain unchanged, so customers do not need to pay attention to anything else. They primarily benefit from the fact that they now have only one contact person. “We want to offer our customers maximum convenience,” says Röllecke. The new joint website is www.flamonitec.com, and the familiar product portfolio of BFI Automation and BST Solutions can be found at www.flamonitec-bst.com and www.flamonitec-bfi.com respectively.

Outlook for 2022

Apart from the new brand name, the Mindermann Group is also on the move. Although, like many other industries, they will have to deal with supply bottlenecks in 2022 due to corona, tests with hydrogen-based products are already scheduled for the first quarter of this year. In addition, established products will be evaluated and optimised if necessary. “We know from our many years of experience that technological progress in flame monitoring is crucial,” explains Röllecke. That is why continuous further and new product development is obligatory for BST Solutions and BFI Automation. “This will also enable us to successfully meet the new challenges that the use of hydrogen and synthetic liquid fuels will bring.”