Development and Field Test of the Central Energy Plant Adaptive Control System (CEPACS)

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA283812 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Spare parts for the outdated control systems at many Army central energy plants CEPS are difficult to acquire. This fact, combined with recent price reductions in modern control hardware and software, has made it practical to replace these old systems with controls that incorporate modern electronics and advanced boiler-control technologies to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency. This report documents the development of a prototype Central Energy Plant Adaptive Control System CEPACS and the results of a field test of the system in a gasoil-fired boiler at the University of Illinois Abbott Power Plant in Champaign, IL. The prototype self-tuning adaptive system is a complete controller for a steam generation system that achieves a high degree of operational automation the system significantly reduces the need for operator intervention into plant operation. The first set of field trials demonstrated excellent combustion control as well as improved drum pressure controls. The results indicate immediate payback in terms of fuel savings and enhanced safety.

Author(s):
Lin, Mike C. ; Qian, Yaoxin ; Drake, Dow ; Miller, Norman ; Bentsman, Joseph
Author Organization(s):
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING RESEARCH LAB (ARMY) CHAMPAIGN IL
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Pagination:
0119

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
CERL-TR-FE-94/12
Project Number(s):
4A162784AT45
Monitor Series:
CECPW
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_2_Battlespace Awareness; JCA_2.3_Processing and Exploitation; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_4.6.1_General Engineering; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_5.5.2_Task
Modernization Areas:
Microelectronics
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS, *AUTOMATION, *BOILERS, TEST AND EVALUATION, COST EFFECTIVENESS, FIELD TESTS, PROTOTYPES, COSTS, FUELS, PRESSURE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, STEAM, OILS, ARMY, POWER, TUNING, ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS, OPERATION, SAFETY, HEATING PLANTS, SPARE PARTS, SAVINGS, RELIABILITY, COMBUSTION, REDUCTION, EFFICIENCY, ENERGY, ELECTRONICS, CONTROL SYSTEMS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Economics and Cost Analysis, Cybernetics, Air Conditioning, Heating, Lighting and Ventilating, Safety Engineering
Keyword(s):
PE62784A, AST45, CEPACS(CENTRAL ENERGY PLANT ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS), GAS FIRED HEATING PLANTS, OIL FIRED HEATING PLANTS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Report Date:
1994 Jun 01