Title:
Development of Automated Fault Recovery Controls for Plug-flow Biomass Reactors
Author(s):
Jacob, M., Schubert, P.J.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The demand for renewable energy sources has prompted significant research efforts in the field of biomass gasification. This paper presents a detailed study on the design and development of a Plug-Flow Reactor Biomass Gasifier integrated with an Automated Auger Jam Detection System and a Blower Algorithm to maintain constant reactor pressure by varying blower speed with respect to changes in reactor pressure. The system is based on indirectly-heated pyrolytic gasification technology and the algorithms are validated using Simulink™. An innovative plug-flow reactor provides uniform heat distribution and ample residence time, optimizing gasification performance and reducing emissions. This study develops an automated auger jam detection system, which utilizes sensor data to detect and mitigate auger jams in real-time, thereby enhancing operational uptime. The system detects deviations from normal operating conditions indicative of auger jams and initiates a sequence of progressively aggressive corrective actions, which, if unsuccessful, initiate a shutdown automatically. In addition, an adaptive algorithm is applied to the blower that extracts syngas in order to maintain consistent gasification conditions. The blower algorithm dynamically adjusts blower speed based on feedback from differential pressure sensors, and includes an oscillation detection and recovery function. This ensures reliable performance even with heterogeneous and rapidly-varying feedstock composition and quantity.
Keywords:
gasifier, automation, plug-flow, auger jam, reactor pressure, blower speed
Topic:
Biomass Conversion for Bioenergy
Subtopic:
Gasification for synthesis gas production
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4BV.1.10
Pages:
552 - 557
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-4BV.1.10
Price:
FREE
