Dryer control systems and methods
AssigneeEnvirostar, LLC
InventorClinton Buchner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for drying system control. A control system receives inputs and measurements and provides modulated outputs to a drying system, control subsystems, or a user interface. An energy ratio compares the optimal energy required to the actual energy applied is into the control system for a drying process and can be provided as a constraint for optimization. The energy ratio enables compensation for effects that environmental variables such as ambient humidity and temperature may have on system performance. The control system can modulate the energy supplied by the drying system to meet an energy ratio setpoint. Embodiments of the present disclosure can validate the effectiveness of the control system by monitoring material yield and utility consumption in real-time to optimize system performance.
Claims19
A control system for an apparatus for drying a raw material to produce a finished material with a reduced moisture content, the apparatus for drying comprising a raw material supply, a heat source, and a plurality of sensors including at least one ambient condition sensor and at least one sensor providing an indication of the moisture content of the finished material, the control system comprising:
- a sensor input module configured to receive a measurement from each sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- a configuration interface configured to receive input of a desired moisture content of the finished material and a desired energy ratio, the energy ratio defined by the ratio between the actual energy to be applied to the raw material and the theoretical energy required to achieve the desired moisture content of the finished material;
- a calculation module configured to determine an ideal raw material supply rate and an ideal amount of heat energy to apply based on the desired moisture content of the finished material, the desired energy ratio, and the input from the at least one ambient condition sensor;
- and
- an output interface configured to provide an output comprising the ideal raw material supply rate and the ideal amount of heat energy to apply for controlling the apparatus for drying.
A method of controlling an apparatus for drying a raw material to produce a finished material with a reduced moisture content, the apparatus for drying comprising a raw material supply, a heat source, and a plurality of sensors including at least one ambient condition sensor and at least one sensor providing an indication of the moisture content of the finished material, the method comprising:
- receiving a measurement from each sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- receiving input defining a desired the moisture content of the finished material and a desired energy ratio, the energy ratio defined by the ratio between the actual energy to be applied to the raw material and the theoretical energy required to achieve the desired moisture content of the finished material;
- determining an ideal raw material supply rate and an ideal amount of heat energy to apply based on the desired moisture content of the finished material, the desired energy ratio, and an input from the at least one ambient condition sensor;
- and
- drying the raw material to produce the finished material by controlling the heat source to apply the ideal amount of heat energy and controlling the raw material supply to supply raw material at the ideal material supply rate.
A method of controlling an apparatus for drying a raw material to produce a finished material with a reduced moisture content, the apparatus for drying comprising a raw material supply, a heat source, and a plurality of sensors including at least one ambient condition sensor and at least one sensor providing an indication of the moisture content of the finished material, the method comprising:
- receiving a measurement from each sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- receiving an input defining a desired moisture content of the finished material, and a desired energy ratio, the energy ratio defined by the ratio between the actual energy to be applied to the raw material and the theoretical energy required to achieve the desired moisture content of the finished material;
- calculating an initial raw material supply rate based on the energy ratio and the input from the at least one ambient condition sensor;
- determining an ideal raw material supply rate and an ideal amount of heat energy to apply based on the desired moisture content of the finished material, the desired energy ratio, and the input from the at least one ambient condition sensor;
- and
- providing an output to the apparatus for drying of the calculated ideal raw material supply rate and the calculated ideal amount of heat energy to apply.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.