Adaptive Boiler Controls: Market Survey and Appraisal of a Prototype System

Many of the Armys boilers have original, outmoded controls and problems associated with code compliance, efficiency, reliability, and availability of spare parts. With uncertain future base requirements, aging equipment, and constrained budgets, a strategic direction is evolving to selectively refurbish boilers that, meet minimum mechanical standards. The refurbishing of boilers will include installation of contemporary control systems. Because of the rapid advance in computer and electronic technologies accompanied by substantial reduction in manufacturing costs, retrofitting outdated control systems with state-of-the-art hardware and software could be cost effective. Adaptive controller technologies are suitable for application under a wide variety of operating conditions. This report documents the results of a market survey of adaptive controllers applied to boiler controls. Various adaptive controller technologies are briefly discussed. Costs and system application information were collected from widely recognized vendors. Boilers, Central heating plants, Energy efficient.