Integrated Industrial Flame Scanners

ABB Multi-Fuel Flame Scanners are designed to detect and control burner flames across a variety of fuels, providing the accurate quality and temperature assessments your power plant and industrial operators need to be constantly aware of any unstable combustion situations.

With real-time data on DC intensity, flicker frequency, AC amplitude, quality and flame management, you can assess individual burner safety and combustion parameters, such as air-to-fuel ratio and NOx emissions, to help prevent hazards and develop advanced and efficient boiler combustion control strategies.
 

Suitable for both retrofit and greenfield installation, our flame scanners are operational within minutes of plug-in, and are developed to help industries comply with the most stringent safety and emission control regulatory standards. 

Why is a Flame Scanner needed?

In any industrial combustion system -whether in power plants, refineries or heating applications - the presence of a stable flame is critical for both safety and efficiency. A flame scanner is an optical sensor designed to detect and monitor the flame inside a burner. It converts the flame’s radiation (UV, IR, or visible light) into an electrical signal that integrates with the Burner Management System (BMS). This simple yet vital function ensures that fuel is only supplied when a flame is present, preventing dangerous situations such as unburned fuel accumulation, explosions, or costly equipment damage.

Safety

Prevent hazards that can lead to harm of people and environment and costly major plant shutdowns.


Savings

Gain reliable flame information in multi-fuel and waste gas combustion plants and increase the boiler turndown ratio without addition of expensive fuel support.

Diagnostics

Qualitative diagnostic information with the sensor characteristics and communication failures through redundant PROFIBUS or Modbus protocols.

Accuracy and Precision

Access qualitative information (e.g., Temperature, Flicker Frequency, DC intensity, AC amplitude, etc.) to fine-tune combustion parameters.

Nuisance free operation

Avoid nuisance burner trips by using our patented technology.


Frequently asked questions

Any questions about integrated flame scanners? Discover how ABB’s advanced flame detection solutions ensures safety, efficiency, and hassle-free operation in power and process industries. From product portfolio to circularity - find all the answers you need in our comprehensive FAQ. And if not? Ask our experts.

  1. What does ABB’s integrated flame scanner portfolio include?

    Our comprehensive range of integrated flame detection systems are designed for industrial and utility applications, covering multiple fuel types and operational needs:

    • SF Series (e.g., SF710)
A conventional flame scanner for essential on/off flame detection. It provides simplicity and reliability for applications that do not require advanced analytics.
    • Uvisor™ SF810i / SF910i Series
Advanced multi-fuel flame scanners featuring solid-state sensors that cover the full flame radiation spectrum (UV, IR, and dual-sensor UVIR). These models provide real-time flame quality monitoring, reliable flame detection, temperature measurement, and fast flame failure response. They integrate with ABB’s Flame Explorer software for diagnostics and trend analysis.
    • PYRO Options

      Specialized IRIR sensors for applications requiring flame temperature measurement and enhanced combustion efficiency monitoring.
    • Connectivity & Integration
ABB scanners support Modbus RTU, Profibus, and 4–20 mA outputs for seamless integration with Burner Management Systems and Distributed Control Systems.

    These solutions are designed for harsh environments, comply with ATEX/IECEx certifications, and offer accessories for line-of-sight (LOS) or fiber optic cable (FOC) installations, making them adaptable for boilers, kilns, turbines, and process heaters.

  2. What is the difference between the SF710, SF810 and SF910 flame scanner series?

    SF910 – Next-Generation Intelligent Scanner

    • Purpose: High-end flame scanner with advanced analytics and real-time combustion insights.
    • Technology: Patented Flame Physics + multi-spectral sensors (UV-IR).
    • Functionality:
    • Real-time flame analysis
    • Continuous monitoring of flame quality and temperature
    • Supports optimization of fuel-air ratio and NOx emissions.
    • Applications:
    • Large utility boilers
    • Complex multi-fuel environments
    • Key Features:
    • SIL2 safety integrity
    • FM & CSA approvals
    • Fiber optic and air-cooled options for harsh conditions
    • Best for: Customers seeking maximum safety, efficiency, and predictive diagnostics.

    SF810 – Advanced Multi-Fuel Flame Scanner

    • Purpose: Multi-fuel flame detection with flame quality monitoring.
    • Technology: Solid-state sensors covering UV, Visible, IR spectrum; dual-sensor UVIR options.
    • Functionality:
    • Continuous self-check
    • Fast Flame Failure Response Time (0.2–4 sec)
    • Optional SF810-PYRO adds real-time flame temperature measurement (800–1800 °C).
    • Applications:
    • Utility & industrial boilers
    • Multi-fuel systems (natural gas, oil, pulverized coal, biomass)
    • Key Features:
    • Profibus & Modbus communication
    • ATEX/IECEx certified for hazardous areas
    • Compatible with Flame Explorer™ for diagnostics
    • Best for: Plants needing flame quality data and combustion optimization.

    SF910 – Next-Generation Intelligent Scanner

    • Purpose: High-end solution with advanced analytics and real-time combustion insights.
    • Technology: Patented Flame Physics + multi-spectral sensors (UV-IR).
    • Functionality:
    • Real-time flame analysis
    • Continuous monitoring of flame quality and temperature
    • Supports optimization of fuel-air ratio and NOx emissions.
    • Applications:
    • Large utility boilers
    • Complex multi-fuel environments
    • Key Features:
    • SIL2 safety integrity
    • FM & CSA approvals
    • Fiber optic and air-cooled options for harsh conditions
    • Best for: Customers seeking maximum safety, efficiency, and predictive diagnostics.

  3. Can ABB integrated flame scanners operate in hazardous areas?

    ABB flame scanners comply with ATEX, IECEx, and CSA certifications. SF810i offers IP66/IP67 protection and EX d IIC T6 options for hazardous environments.

  4. How do ABB integrated flame scanners ensure sustainability?

    Circularity Principles Applied to Flame Scanners

    Circular economy principles are integrated in our flame scanner portfolio, focusing on resource efficiency, reuse, and responsible end-of-life management. This means moving away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model toward reduce-reuse-recycle. This ensures products last longer and materials stay in use.

    • Recycled Materials: Our flame scanner enclosures are made with recycled aluminum, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and lowering carbon footprint.
    • Compact, modular design: Flame scanners are designed for easy maintenance and part replacement rather than full system disposal, supporting refurbishment and extending product life.
    • We have replaced printed manuals with QR codes, saving thousands of pages annually. This reduces waste and supports circularity goals by cutting down on paper consumption.
    • Our integrated flame scanners are part of ABB’s EcoSolutions™ program, which applies Life Cycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to quantify environmental impact and validate circularity claims.
    • We offer take-back and recycling programs for industrial components, including our integrated flame scanners. Faulty parts can be repaired, refurbished, or responsibly recycled, reducing electronic waste and conserving resources. ABB’s Parts Circularity Program has achieved a 93% reduction in e-waste to landfill over four years.

  5. Do integrated flame scanners require maintenance?

    Regular cleaning of the lens and inspection of wiring are essential to prevent false alarms and nuisance trips. Schedule maintenance during downtime and follow manufacturer guidelines for testing and calibration.

  6. How do flame detection scanners integrate with ABB's control systems?

    ABB flame scanners work seamlessly with ABB’s Distributed Control Systems (DCS). Integration occurs through:

     

    Burner Management System (BMS) Interface

    • Integrated flame scanners provide the primary safety input to the BMS, signaling flame ON/OFF status and diagnostic data for combustion control.

    Communication Protocols

    • Our flame scanners support redundant PROFIBUS DP-V1 and Modbus RTU/TCP for high-speed, fail-safe data transfer. These protocols ensure compatibility with ABB control systems and allow real-time monitoring of flame status and quality.
    • Analog and Relay Outputs
    • Standard outputs include

Case study - Powering innovation through combustion safety

Watch how ABB’s advanced flame scanner technology delivers precision, safety, and efficiency in real-world combustion systems. Discover the innovation behind reliable flame detection.