Instrumentation and Controls for Advanced Coal-Utilization Technologies: Requirements, Technology Status, and R and D Needs. Final Technical Report, August 15, 1980-August 15, 1981

摘要

I and C needs for coal-utilization technologies at three problem definition levels are discussed. Operational (system-level) problems do not appear to pose critical R and D issues. Application of modern system control theory and technology should be adequate for the operation of complex systems, provided that the dynamic operating characteristics of all the subsystems and unit processes are well understood, at least from a controllability standpoint; this caveat characterizes I and C needs at the subsystem level. More work surely needs to e done in terms of modeling and experimental verification to understand most of the coal conversion and combustion processes (esp., fluidized-bed combustion, fluidized-bed or entrained-flow gasification, and hot and cold gas clean-up). However, the clearest focus for continuing R and D I and C lies in the need for improved sensors and measurement systems at the parameter-measurement level. Coal utilization technologies have sensing and control needs in five generic areas: temperature measurement, process stream compositional analysis, multi-component flow measurement, solids flow measurement, and level measurement. In addition, there are a few technology-specific sensing needs, such as the on-line measurement of viscosity for coal-liquid slurries, that are better addressed within the R and D program for that technology. The technology options for each of the identified generic sensing and control needs are reviewed briefly and the status of development for the major options are summarized. The major resources for much of the technology options described is the first item in the list of references. The recently completed comprehensive review of I and C options for fluidized bed combustion prepared by Herzenberg et al at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL/CEN/FE-80-15, Feb. 1981). (ERA citation 08:031058)