Application of DCS for Level Control in Nonlinear System using Optimization and Robust Algorithms

This proposed work deals with the real-time implementation of a PI level controller for a nonlinear interacting multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system using YOKOGAWA CENTUM CS 3000 DCS. Some intricate algorithms were chosen to tune the PI controller, presuming the effect of disturbances in a nonlinear interacting MIMO system. Three algorithms; a classical evolution algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA); a metaheuristic optimization algorithm, particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO); and a robust algorithm, quantitative feedback theory (QFT) were chosen to tune thecontroller offline optimally. These controllers were then implemented in the process using distributed control systems (DCS), and the simulation results resulting from the three algorithms were compared with the experimental results. The impact of the tuning algorithms in the controller performance was studied in real-time

OPERATION AND PROCESS CONTROL DEVELOPMENT FOR A PILOT-SCALE LEACHING AND SOLVENT EXTRACTION CIRCUIT RECOVERING RARE EARTH ELEMENTS FROM COAL-BASED SOURCES

The US Department of Energy in 2010 has identified several rare earth elements as critical materials to enable clean technologies. As part of ongoing research in REEs (rare earth elements) recovery from coal sources, the University of Kentucky has designed, developed and is demonstrating a ¼ ton/hour pilot-scale processing plant to produce high-grade REEs from coal sources. Due to the need to control critical variables (e.g. pH, tank level, etc.), process control is required. To ensure adequate process control, a study was conducted on leaching and solvent extraction control to evaluate the potential of achieving low-cost REE recovery in addition to developing a process control PLC system. The overall operational design and utilization of Six Sigma methodologies is discussed. Further, the application of the controls design, both procedural and electronic for the control of process variables such as pH is discussed. Variations in output parameters were quantified as a function of time. Data trends show that the mean process variable was maintained within prescribed limits. Future work for the utilization of data analysis and integration for data-based decision-making will be discussed

Using Data Mining Techniques to Predict NOx Emissions Levels in Gas Fired Boilers

Natural gas industry becomes one of the largest sectors in the today’s world economy. With the growth of production, pollutants from gas processing plants continue to grow, forcing government and legislative authorities to compel stringent restrictions on the release of emissions. These restrictions become among top vital factors influencing plant operations nowadays in the state of Qatar. One of the most important tasks for gas processing plants is not only to ensure a continuous gas supply to customers, but also to monitor, control and address concerns about the environmental impact of the operations. The use of the gas fired steam boilers in the gas operations has led to a significant increase in the emissions of toxic substances such as NOx. Therefore, significant worries have been raised about the environmental effect on climate and air quality of noxious emissions associated with the steam generation process of the boilers. Data mining is a powerful tool that has been used for decades for advanced process analytics of large quantities of plant data in order to extract useful information and to reach a better understanding of the process. In this research, some of data mining techniques such as artificial neural networks and decision trees are applied on real plant data representing 27 industrial process parameters from a gas fired steam boiler of one gas processing plant at Ras-Laffan Industrial City in order to predict the most important factors impacting the NOx formation in the combustion process of the boiler. Closer attention to those factors can be given promptly in order to enhance the plant environmental performance. The results obtained by the artificial neural network and decision tree models showed that the NOx emissions are directly related to the air flow parameters such as O2 concentration, the excess air level in the boiler and the amount of the flue gas at the boiler outlet. It was also shown that the company is following a traditional technique of lowering the amount of oxygen in the boiler aiming to reduce the NOx emission levels. However, this technique was proven to be limited under certain threshold of boiler load due to other important factors such as the adiabatic flame temperature (AFT) which induces the formation of NOx emissions

Energy optimization of a concentrated solar power plant with thermal storage

One of the most relevant problems to solve at a planetary scale is the access to an affordable clean source of energy as CO2 equivalent emissions should be reduced significantly. Some authors aim for a zero emissions target for 2050. Renewable energies will play a leading role in this energy transition, and solar energy with storage is a promising technology exploring a renewable and worldwide available resource. Within the present thesis component development like a new thermal storage thermocline tank design or having latent heat storage capability are technological developments that have been pursued and analyzed on a system perspective basis, focusing on reducing the LCOE value of a commercial STE plant using TRNSYS software. Material research with molten salts mixtures and cement based materials has been performed at lab scale. A fully validation should occur through a 13 partners pan-European H2020 project called NEWSOL which has been developed supported on the laboratory data obtained. Moreover, incorporation of local available material, “modern slag” from an old mine of Alentejo region, was also studied. The material could be used as an aggregate incorporated into calcium aluminate cement (CAC) or as filler. This would help to solve a local environmental complex problem related to soil, air and water pollution due to heavy metals and mining activity in Mina de São Domingos, Southeast of Portugal. The integration of these results underlies a broad energy transition model, a proposal is presented in this thesis, with the aim to foster development towards a sustainable usage of resources and promote clean technologies especially in the energy sector. This model can be locally adapted depending on the pattern of existing industries. The goal is to achieve a smooth transition into a clean tech energy society in line with the target of achieving zero emissions for 2050; Optimização Energética de uma Central de Concentração Solar com Armazenamento de Energia Resumo: Um dos problemas mais relevantes a resolver a uma escala planetária é o acesso, com um custo moderado, a fontes limpas de energia considerando que as emissões equivalentes de CO2 derão ser reduzidas drasticamente. Alguns autores ambicionam mesmo um objetivo de zero emissões em 2050. As energias renováveis irão desempenhar um papel preponderante nesta transição energética, sendo que a energia solar com armazenamento é uma tecnologia promissora que aproveita um recurso renovável e disponível em boa parte do Planeta. Na presente tese foi realizado o desenvolvimento de componentes nomeadamente o design que um novo tanque do tipo termocline, ou de novos elementos recorrendo ao calor latente, desenvolvimentos tecnológicos que foram analizados de uma perspectiva de sistema, dando o enfoque na redução do custo nivelado da electricidade (LCOE) para uma planta Termosolar usando o software TRNSYS. Foi também realizada investigação em laboratório ao nível dos materiais com várias misturas de sais fundidos inclusivé em contacto directo com materiais de base cimenticia. Uma validação completa deverá ocorrer no projeto NEWSOL do programa H2020 que reúne um consórcio de 13 parceiros europeus e que foi preparado e submetido tendo por base os resultados laboratoriais obtidos. Adicionalmente, incorporação de material disponível (escória de minério) de uma mina abandonada da região do Alentejo foi outro dos aspectos estudados. Verificou-se que este material poderá ser utilizado como agregado num ligante do tipo cimento de aluminato de cálcio (CAC) ou como “filler”. Este re-aproveitamento resolveria um problema ambiental complexo derivado do elevado conteúdo de metais pesados resultantes da actividade de mineração e que actualamente provocam poluição do solo, água e ar na área da Mina de São Domingos, Sudeste de Portugal. Estes progressos deverão ser integrados num modelo de transição energética mais amplo. Na presente tese, uma proposta concreta é apresentada, com o objectivo de incentivar o desenvolvimento na direção de uma utilização sustentável dos recursos e a promoção de tecnologias limpas nomeadamente no sector da energia. Este modelo poderá ser adaptado localmente dependendo do padrão de indústrias existente. O objectivo é atingir uma transição suave para uma sociedade de energias limpas em linha com o objectivo de atingir zero emissões de CO2 equivalente em 2050

Pathways to Water Sector Decarbonization, Carbon Capture and Utilization

The water sector is in the middle of a paradigm shift from focusing on treatment and meeting discharge permit limits to integrated operation that also enables a circular water economy via water reuse, resource recovery, and system level planning and operation. While the sector has gone through different stages of such revolution, from improving energy efficiency to recovering renewable energy and resources, when it comes to the next step of achieving carbon neutrality or negative emission, it falls behind other infrastructure sectors such as energy and transportation. The water sector carries tremendous potential to decarbonize, from technological advancements, to operational optimization, to policy and behavioural changes. This book aims to fill an important gap for different stakeholders to gain knowledge and skills in this area and equip the water community to further decarbonize the industry and build a carbon-free society and economy. The book goes beyond technology overviews, rather it aims to provide a system level blueprint for decarbonization. It can be a reference book and textbook for graduate students, researchers, practitioners, consultants and policy makers, and it will provide practical guidance for stakeholders to analyse and implement decarbonization measures in their professions

Pathways to Water Sector Decarbonization, Carbon Capture and Utilization

The water sector is in the middle of a paradigm shift from focusing on treatment and meeting discharge permit limits to integrated operation that also enables a circular water economy via water reuse, resource recovery, and system level planning and operation. While the sector has gone through different stages of such revolution, from improving energy efficiency to recovering renewable energy and resources, when it comes to the next step of achieving carbon neutrality or negative emission, it falls behind other infrastructure sectors such as energy and transportation. The water sector carries tremendous potential to decarbonize, from technological advancements, to operational optimization, to policy and behavioural changes. This book aims to fill an important gap for different stakeholders to gain knowledge and skills in this area and equip the water community to further decarbonize the industry and build a carbon-free society and economy. The book goes beyond technology overviews, rather it aims to provide a system level blueprint for decarbonization. It can be a reference book and textbook for graduate students, researchers, practitioners, consultants and policy makers, and it will provide practical guidance for stakeholders to analyse and implement decarbonization measures in their professions

Gasification for Practical Applications

Although there were many books and papers that deal with gasification, there has been only a few practical book explaining the technology in actual application and the market situation in reality. Gasification is a key technology in converting coal, biomass, and wastes to useful high-value products. Until renewable energy can provide affordable energy hopefully by the year 2030, gasification can bridge the transition period by providing the clean liquid fuels, gas, and chemicals from the low grade feedstock. Gasification still needs many upgrades and technology breakthroughs. It remains in the niche market, not fully competitive in the major market of electricity generation, chemicals, and liquid fuels that are supplied from relatively cheap fossil fuels. The book provides the practical information for researchers and graduate students who want to review the current situation, to upgrade, and to bring in a new idea to the conventional gasification technologies