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Process Simulation Cup 2020

“OPTIMAL CONTROL”

01.02.2020 – 18.01.2021

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM OF A BIOGAS POWERPLANT

Your Background
You’re hired as a control engineer of a biogas powerplant. You’re highly analytical, and use these skills to examine and improve plant processes. It is your responsibility to ensure that the plant is running smoothly and efficiently while meeting quality, safety, and environmental standards and remains profitable under dynamic conditions.
Your Task
The volatile electricity market holds many challenges for your plant operation. Your task is to tune the controller system to the best to maximize the plant profit.
Your Plant
The biogas plant was built in the region where agriculture is the predominant form of land use. It was placed next to a fermentation plant with which it has a business relationship. On average, the plant produces 560 kWh of electricity and 1000 kW thermal energy. Two engines and a steam boiler are used to generate electric power and heat. The control system operates with seven PID controllers.

 

PHASE 1

 

Start: 01.02.2020

In this task phase, the powerplant workflow is simulated in three scenarios:

Scenario 1 treats the behavior of the plant after a step change of one of the control variables, in closed-loop.

Scenario 2 addresses the impact of a disturbance.

Scenario 3 addresses the safe operation of the plant.

Your task is to change the controller setting of the parameters PID to maximize the plant profit. Select one set of parameters and apply them to each scenario. Calculate profit for each given scenario first. The sum is the plant profit you’re looking for in this task phase.

You need to find the best set of parameters using your engineering knowledge. We give you the tools to achieve that.

PSC2020 FLOWSHEETPSC2020 PHASE 1HOW TO START PSC2020 PSC2020 PLANT STORYSUBMIT VARIABLES

 

Note: PSC challenge consists of several task phases that are progressively rolled out throughout the year. We also progressively unlock design variables which are currently displayed as inactive on the submission form. We might manipulate some data too. The time and date of the above are not defined in advance. To be up to date with changes and not to miss out on developments, stay tuned into the PSC newsletters, social media, news, and our blog!

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