Automation consultancy service

At the EBRI plant, a fluidised bed gasifier (1 MW) is connected to a combined heat and power generator. The capacity of the engine is not enough as to take all the gas from the gasifier, so part of the gas has to be flared.

The engine is a MAN marine diesel engine modified to work in dual mode (liquid and gaseous biofuels). The engine starts in liquid fuel mode and if required the load matching control system opens an isolation valve to start fuelling the engine with gas from the gasifier.

A flowmeter measures the gas flowrate being burned in the engine. Apart from this isolation valve, also a fast acting valve is being installed, to regulate the delivery of fuel gas to the engine, to prevent the engine stall when responding to fluctuations in pressure in the supply line.

With the previous configuration, the transition from liquid to gas mode was taking place with delayed air to fuel ratio regulation. EBRI is seeking to procure provide consultancy service on how to modify the load matching system, the engine control system (ComAp) and the gasifier control system, so that the gasifier can be coupled to the engine.

The job includes liaising with the control engineers for the different subsystems: the load matching system, the engine control system and the gasifier control system. The objective is to get the whole process properly integrated to work as a unified system.

The supplier is expected to first provide technical support to the control engineers of the different subsystems and finally provide further solutions after the first commissioning day. The outcome of this job is having the CHP engine working on syngas from the gasifier on a smooth and safe way. Further assistance on the Hazop study that is planned to take place after the first commissioning date may also be offered as an option.