Method and apparatus for controlling combustion in a furnace
AssigneeAalto University Foundation
InventorJukka Kortela
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) strategy for BioGrate boiler, compensating the main disturbances caused by variations in fuel quality such as the moisture content of fuel, and variations in fuel flow. The MPC utilizes models, the fuel moisture soft-sensor to estimate water evaporation, and the fuel flow calculations to estimate the thermal decomposition of dry fuel, to handle these variations, the inherent large time constants, and long time delays of the boiler. The MPC strategy is compared with the method currently used in the BioPower 5 CHP plant. Finally, the results are presented, analyzed and discussed.
Claims25
A method, comprising:
- receiving sensor input concerning a thermal decomposition rate and water evaporation rate of fuel moisture;
- based at least in part on the sensor input and a mathematical model, modelling a performance of a boiler, and
- determining, based at least in part on the modelling, control instructions to control functioning of the boiler, the control instructions being configured to cause compensation for disturbances caused by variations in at least one of a fuel quality and a fuel bed in the boiler.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a receiver configured to receive sensor input concerning a thermal decomposition rate and water evaporation rate of fuel moisture, and
- at least one processing core configured to model, based at least in part on the sensor input and a mathematical model, a performance of a boiler, and to determine, based at least in part on the modelling, control instructions to control functioning of the boiler, the control instructions being configured to cause compensation for disturbances caused by variations in at least one of a fuel quality and a fuel bed in the boiler.
(canceled)
A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least:
- receive sensor input concerning a thermal decomposition rate and a fuel moisture;
- based at least in part on the sensor input and a mathematical model, model a performance of a boiler, and
- determine, based at least in part on the modelling, control instructions to control functioning of the boiler, the control instructions being configured to cause compensation for disturbances caused by variations in at least one of a fuel quality and a fuel bed in the boiler.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.