Control and optimization system and method for chemical looping processes
View Patent ↗A control system for optimizing a chemical loop system includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters in a chemical loop. The sensors are disposed on or in a conduit positioned in the chemical loop. The sensors generate one or more data signals representative of an amount of solids in the conduit. The control system includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensors and a controller in communication with the data acquisition system. The data acquisition system receives the data signals and the controller generates the control signals. The controller is in communication with one or more valves positioned in the chemical loop. The valves are configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop.
1. A system for optimizing a chemical looping plant, the system comprising:
a chemical loop, the chemical loop comprising an oxidizer for oxidizing solids, a reducer for reducing the solids, and a separator, the oxidizer being configured to oxidize the solids and transport the oxidized solids to the reducer, the reducer being configured to reduce the oxidized solids and transport the reduced solids to the oxidizer, wherein the solids are transported between the oxidizer and the reducer, thereby forming the chemical loop;
at least one sensor for measuring at least one parameter in the chemical loop, the at least one sensor being disposed on a conduit positioned in the chemical loop, and the at least one sensor being configured to generate at least one data signal;
at least one first valve positioned in the chemical loop configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop;
a controller configured to receive the at least one data signal, and configured to send at least one control signal to the at least one first valve in order to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop; and
wherein the conduit is substantially vertical and is positioned between and in fluid communication with the separator and a second valve positioned in the conduit, and the separator being disposed downstream of at least one of the oxidizer and the reducer.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine a height of the solids in the conduit.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine a mass of the solids in the conduit.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine a volume of the solids in the conduit.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine at least one of a differential pressure measured across a portion of the chemical loop, a mass flow rate in a portion of the chemical loop, and air flow rate in a portion of the chemical loop.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine the differential pressure across at least one of the oxidizer, the conduit and an outlet line in fluid communication with the separator disposed in the chemical loop downstream of the oxidizer.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to determine the mass flow rate in at least one of an inlet to the oxidizer, the conduit and an outlet line in fluid communication with the separator disposed in the chemical loop downstream of the oxidizer.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second valve comprises an inlet and two outlets for transport of the solids therethrough.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a second chemical loop, the second chemical loop comprising at least one third valve, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the at least one third valve to regulate a flow of the solids through the second chemical loop.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a second chemical loop, the second chemical loop comprising at least one third valve, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one third valve, the first chemical loop being in fluid communication with the second chemical loop, and at least one of the first valve and the third valve being configured to regulate a flow of the solids between the first chemical loop and the second chemical loop.
11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a data acquisition system in communication with the at least one sensor.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a data acquisition system in communication with the at least one sensor.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the chemical looping plant comprises one of a single chemical loop, a multiple loop chemical loop, a chemical looping-based plant with CO 2 capture for utilization, a chemical looping-based plant with CO 2 capture for sequestration, and a chemical looping based CO 2 -ready plant.