Process performance improvement in a co-current, fixed bed biomass gasification facility by control system modifications

Highlights: • Software algorithms for biomass gasification process improvement have been developed. • Advanced control solution has been proposed for on-line process control. • Different process variables have been controlled simultaneously. • Different process improvement cases have been analysed. • Data for system development has been extracted from co-current, fixed bed gasifier. - Abstract: Advanced control solutions are a developing technology which represent a promising approach to tackle problems related to efficiency and environmental aspects of biomass gasification process in a cost effective way. In this paper the potential of advanced control concept to improve gasification process efficiency and to reduce negative environmental effects of the process has been analysed. Advanced control solution, based on feedforward–feedback control approach has been developed using collected operation data and the effects of control concept on gasification process have been analysed using developed artificial neural network based prediction model. Measurement data for the controller and simulation model development has been extracted from a 75 MW_th co-current, fixed bed biomass gasification plant operated by Technical University Dresden. The effects of 6 different process improvement goals for controller algorithms development have been analysed during 20 h of plant operation. The analysis has shown that with introduction of advanced control solutions process efficiency could be improved up to 20%, together with reduction of negative environmental aspects of the process