Guest blogger: Kaylen McMullen,
Marketing Assistant, Invensys Operations Management
The
SmartFire solution from Invensys is based on an extension to SimSci-Esscor’s
Connoisseur Advanced Process Control (APC) software. This solution is a boiler
optimization application that offers multivariable model predictive control and
neural networks. It is often applied to bias furnace air flow distribution and
addresses O2 imbalances and regions of high CO. The original application needed
some adjustments in order for it to achieve its fullest potential. It was decided
that improvements could be made if this offering could automatically determine
more optimum air/fuel settings at individual dampers.
SmartFire
completes the boiler optimization offering from Invensys by compensating for a
phenomenon in coal-fired boilers known as roping. Roping occurs when pulverized
coal is fed to a utility boiler, causing disruption to the distribution of coal
flow to the coal pipes that supply the burners. This imbalanced distribution causes
some regions of the furnace to have more fuel and others to have less fuel.
SmartFire
continuously tests the APC system and adapts the models to capture the
characteristics of shifting relationships. Operators do not interfere with this
process, which optimizes work performance and greatly enhances the bottom line.
This solution offers significant improvements in boiler efficiency. After testing the system, there were estimated
benefits of $78,000 a year - in addition to the benefits of APC which typically
exceed $500,000. This shortens the payback period and is truly unique to the
Invensys APC offering.
For
more information on SmartFire and Connoisseur, please visit our webpage
on iom.invensys.com.
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