Advanced Controls

The CANMET Energy Technology Centre-Ottawa (CETC-Ottawa) has an outstanding record as one of the leading developers of advanced controls for the optimization of combustion systems and energy processes. CETC-Ottawa is committed to designing systems that can control an operation as well as or better than "the best available operator". We customize systems for specific industrial processes to obtain:

• Reduced costs
• Increased productivity
• Improved energy efficiency
• Reduced emissions
• Enhanced process integration and optimization

Capabilities

The Advanced Controls team consists of a group of scientists and engineers with solid experience in the following areas:

• Economic impact evaluation
• Identification of technical opportunities
• Systems analysis
• Data acquisition
• Instrumentation
• Process optimization
• Data mining and statistical analysis
• Expert systems technology
• Neural networks
• Fuzzy systems
• Multivariable control software design
• Commissioning and acceptance testing
• Consultation and third party assessment

Accomplishments

CETC-Ottawa has developed industrial systems for:

• Ash monitoring and intelligent sootblowing for coal-fired power plants
• NOx/CO optimization
• Burner diagnostic and optimization
• Parametric emissions monitoring (PEM)
• Process upset prediction
• Scrubber optimization
• Baghouse optimization
• Fuel selection advisory systems

Burnaby Incineration Improvements - Batch to Continuous PEM

• Advanced SO2 control (lime savings of 30%)
• Classification of feeder hang-up condition
• NOx/CO emissions optimization using multivariable controller

Canadian Electricity Association Artificial Intelligence Study (2000)

• Evaluated AI applications in fossil power plants in terms of projected cost and environmental benefits
• Identified areas for collaborative effort
• Conducted a survey of AI systems in fossil plants
• Recommended short-term and long-term initiatives

Ash Monitoring Expert System - optimized sootblowing
of coal-fired utility boilers

For further information, please contact:

Natural Resources Canada
CANMET Energy Technology Centre
1 Haanel Drive
Nepean, Ontario
Canada K1A 1M1

Bruce Clements
Research Scientist
Tel: (613) 943-8881
Fax: (613) 992-9335
E-mail: clements@nrcan.gc.ca