UI Steam Plant Measurement Systems

The goal of the project is to measure and record the primary fuel variables for the wood fired boiler at the UI Energy Plant. The measurements can be used as inputs to automate the wood fired boiler combustion controls. Mass fuel flow of the wood chips, moisture of the wood chips, mass air flow, air temperature and air moisture flowing into the boiler are all necessary to optimize combustion.

=Problem Definition= The objective of our capstone project as Rolling Timber II is an extension of previous work with the intent of generating an operating lab prototype that can enable full-scale implementation in the UI Steam Plant.

Background
Team Rolling Timber I (the previous team) was able to design and build a prototype sensor for mass fuel flow and fuel moisture content. These sensors will need to be refined and then a measurement and verification process can either prove or deny the design concept. Additionally, the measurement of mass air flow, temperature and moisture content will need to be developed.

Deliverables
Our plan is to introduce several control systems modifications to the current steam plant to increase efficiency. In the transition from a cooling to a heating system the plant sill shut down for a week towards the end of September. It is in this time that we will have a design prepared for the manufacturing team at the steam plant to implement our idea. During this week the "throat" of the system will be modified and expanded upon to fit our mass flow sensor system. There will also be modifications done to the floor of the bin itself to insert out moisture sensing system. These two modifications must be done during the shutdown time for this is the only time when the system is not full of wood fuel and running. We will be delivering different iterations of designs to the steam plant manufacturers to get feedback on our designs.

Specifications
1. Woodchip Mass Flow into throat

Target Accuracy of 3% or better Range of 2.3 - 7 green tons/hour Survivable in occasional bin fires

2. Woodchip Moisture Content

Target Accuracy of 3% or better Range of 3 - 60% - may change depending on mixing Survivable in occasional bin fires

3. Mass air flow into boiler

Underfire and Overfire air Target Accuracy of 3% or better Measured in single duct before diverging Retains accuracy in dusty environment

=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule



Meeting Minutes



Presentations



Client Interview