NETL: Advanced Control Architecture and Sensor Information Development for Process Automation, Optimization, and Imaging of Chemical Looping Systems

The purpose of the project is to develop an advanced process automation control architecture and imaging and optimization sensor software for The Ohio State University (OSU) chemical looping process. A high level controller (HLC) consisting of decision-making and controller-selection logic integrated with sliding mode controllers (SMCs) are being used to develop distributed intelligence automation scheme for the chemical looping process startup and shutdown. Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group’s (B&W’s) commercial real time, closed-loop optimization software, FocalPoint Optimization System, will be specifically tailored to chemical looping processes for optimizing the process operating conditions.

The intelligent process automation controller and optimization sensor information will be tested in OSU’s existing sub-pilot chemical looping test unit for Phase I, and ultimately integrated with the pressurized syngas chemical looping (SCL) pilot test unit constructed at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) for Phase II.