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Increasing oil prices and concerns about global warming have reinforced the interest in biofuels for domestic and district heating, most commonly through combustion of solid biomass like wood logs, hog fuel and pellets. Combustion at non-optimal conditions can, however, lead to substantial emissions of noxious compounds like unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides as well as the generation of soot. Depending on the rate of combustion more or less air is needed per unit time to completely oxidize the fuel; deficiency of air leading to emissions of unburned matter and too much of excess air to slow combustion kinetics and emissions of mainly carbon monoxide. The rate of combustion is influenced by parameters like fuel quality – moisture and ash content etc. – and in what phase the combustion takes place (in the gas phase through combustion of evaporated substances or on the surface of char coal particles), none of which is constant over time. The key to boiler operation, both from an environmental as well as a power to fuel economy point of view, is thus the careful adjustment of the air supply throughout the combustion process. So far, no control schemes have been applied to small-scale combustors, though, mainly due to the lack of cheap and simple means to measure basic flue gas parameters like oxygen, total hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide concentrations. This thesis reports about investigations on and characterization of silicon carbide (SiC) based Metal Insulator Semiconductor (MIS) field effect gas sensors regarding their utility in emissions monitoring and combustion control applications as well as the final development of a sensor based control system for wood fired domestic heating systems. From the main sensitivity profiles of such sensor devices, with platinum (Pt) and iridium (Ir) as the catalytic metal contacts (providing the gas sensing ability), towards some typical flue gas constituents as well as ammonia (NH3), a system comprising four individual sensors operated at different temperatures was developed, which through the application of Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression, showed good performance regarding simultaneous monitoring of propene (a model hydrocarbon) and ammonia concentrations in synthetic flue gases of varying content. The sensitivity to CO was, however, negligible. The sensor system also performed well regarding ammonia slip monitoring when tested in real flue gases in a 5.6 MW boiler running SNCR (Selective Non-Catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia). When applied to a 200 kW wood pellet fuelled boiler a similar sensor system was, however, not able to follow the flue gas hydrocarbon concentration in all encountered situations. A PCA (Principal Components Analysis) based scheme for the manipulation of sensor and flue gas temperature data, enabling monitoring of the state of combustion (deficiency or too much of excess air), was however possible to develop. The discrepancy between laboratory and field test results was suspected and later on shown to depend on the larger variation in CO and oxygen concentrations in the flue gases as compared to the laboratory tests. Detailed studies of the CO response characteristics for Pt gate MISiC sensors revealed a highly non-linear sensitivity towards CO, a large response only encountered at high CO/O2 ratios or low temperatures. The response exhibits a sharp switch between a small and a large value when crossing a certain CO/O2 ratio at constant operating temperature, correlated to the transition from an oxygen dominated to an almost fully CO covered Pt surface, originating from the difference in adsorption kinetics between CO and O2. Indications were also given pointing towards an increased sensitivity to background hydrogen as being the mediator of at least part of the CO response. Some general characteristics regarding the response mechanism of field effect sensors with differently structured metal contacts were also indicated. The CO response mechanism of Pt metal MISiC sensors could also be utilized in developing a combustion control system based on two sensors and a thermocouple, which when tested in a 40 kW wood fired boiler exhibited a good performance for fuels with extremely low to normal moisture content, substantially decreasing emissions of unburned matter.

The main goal of this work was to develop adaptive filter algorithms and test their performance in active combustion control. Several algorithms were incorporated, which are divided into gradient descent algorithms and pattern searches. The algorithms were tested on three separate platforms. The first was an analog electronic simulator, which uses a second order acoustics model and a first order low pass filter to simulate the flame dynamics of an unstable tube combustor. The second was a flat flame, methane-air Rijke tube. The third can be considered a quasi-LDI liquid fuel combustor with a thermal output of approximately 30 kW. Actuation included the use of an acoustic actuator for the Rijke tube and a proportional throttling valve for the liquid fuel rig. Proportional actuation, pulsed actuation, and subharmonic control were all investigated throughout this work. The proportional actuation tests on the Rijke tube combustor have shown that, in general, the gradient descent algorithms outperformed the pattern search algorithms. Although, the pattern search algorithms were able to suppress the pressure signal to levels comparable to the gradient descent algorithms, the convergence time was lower for the gradient descent algorithms. The gradient algorithms were also superior in the presence of actuator authority limitations. The pulsed actuation on the Rijke tube showed that the convergence time is decreased for this type of actuation. This is due to the fact that there is a fixed amplitude control signal and algorithms did not have to search for sufficient magnitude. It was shown that subharmonic control could be used in conjunction with the algorithms. Control was achieved at the second and third subharmonic, and control was maintained for much higher subharmonics. The cost surface of the liquid fuel rig was obtained as the mean squared error of the combustor pressure as a function of the magnitude and phase of the controller. The adaptive algorithms were able to achieve some suppression of the pressure oscillations but did not converge to the optimal phase as shown in the cost surface. Simulations using the data from this cost surface were also performed. With the addition of a probing function, the algorithms were able to converge to a near-optimal condition. / Master of Science

Active control of combustion instabilities through secondary fuel injection is a control method that has gained a lot of attention in the past decade. Previous control schemes with acoustic loudspeakers are not practical in full-scale gas turbines due to the extreme temperatures and acoustic power requirements. Much work has gone into controlling these thermoacoustic instabilities with secondary fuel control. Control of a laminar premixed tube combustor through secondary fuel actuation is the concentration of this work. It is the first known published attempt to control a laminar premixed tube combustor through secondary fuel actuation. Due to the low flow rates within the tube combustor an innovative injection technique had to be constructed to perform the secondary fuel actuation. The gaseous fuel is injected only one millimeter above the location of the flame through one, two, or four injectors. These injectors were designed to overcome the serious problem of pulse diffusion. This technique enabled the tube combustor to be controlled through secondary fuel injection. Accompanying the innovative fuel injection technique is a duty cycle modulation technique that was a prime contributor to the success of the control system. This method enabled the system to be controlled at conditions that were uncontrollable with a fixed duty cycle. The overall result was a 35 dB suppression of the limit cycle amplitude with 20% secondary fuel injection. / Master of Science

Este trabalho aborda o desenvolvimento de um sistema de controle de temperatura para um aquecedor de passagem de água a gás. O sistema de controle Controlgás é apresentado e comparado ao sistema de controle típico, usado em aquecedores de passagem convencionais. São apresentadas as características e objetivos do projeto Controlgás, o qual serviu de base para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho. É apresentada uma fundamentação teórica sobre técnicas de controle para compensação de variações paramétricas e de atrasos de transporte, bem como uma revisão sobre as principais soluções já desenvolvidas para o controle de temperatura da água em aquecedores de passagem. A bancada experimental, contendo o aquecedor e o sistema de controle, utilizada em trabalhos anteriores, foi reestruturada e instrumentada com sensores de temperatura na entrada e na saída de água e com sensores que detectam a presença de chama e de fluxo de água. Foi desenvolvida uma servo-válvula que permite a regulagem automática da vazão de gás. Desenvolveu-se um circuito de potência para o acionamento dos atuadores (solenoides e servo-válvula) da bancada, assim como algoritmos que geram os sinais adequados para seu funcionamento. Foi feita a identificação do processo e o modelo da servo-válvula foi obtido por meio da análise de ensaios experimentais. O modelo do sistema completo foi desenvolvido no programa Simulink, onde foram feitas simulações do comportamento dinâmico do sistema proposto. O sistema foi implantado experimentalmente e foi capaz de convergir para as temperaturas de referência durante os ensaios. / This work addresses the development of a temperature control system for a gas tankless water heater. The Controlgás control system is presented and compared to typical control systems used in regular tankless water heaters. The characteristics and objectives of Controlgás project, which formed the basis for the development of this work, are presented. A theoretical foundation on control techniques for compensation of parametric variations and transport delays is presented, as well as a review of the main solutions already developed for the control of water temperature on tankless water heaters. The experimental set containing the heater and the control system used in previous work was restructured and instrumented with temperature sensors at the water's input and output and with sensors which detect the presence of flame and the water flow. A servo-valve that allows automatic adjustment of the gas flow was developed. A power circuit was created to drive the actuators (solenoids and servo-valve) of the set, as well as algorithms that generate the appropriate signals for its operation. The process identification and the servo-valve‟s model were obtained through experimental analysis. The system‟s complete model was developed in Simulink, where simulations of the dynamic behavior of the proposed system were made. The system was implemented experimentally and was able to converge to the reference temperatures during the tests.

Lean, premixed combustion offers a practical approach for reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, but increases the risk of lean blowout (LBO) in gas turbines. Active control techniques are therefore sought which can stabilize a lean flame and prevent LBO. The present work has resulted in the development of flame detection, dynamic modeling, blowout margin estimation, and actuation and control techniques. The flame s acoustic emissions were bandpass filtered at select frequencies to detect localized extinction events, which were found to increase in number near LBO. The lean flame was also found to intermittently burst into a transient tornado configuration in which the flame s inner recirculation zone would collapse. The localized extinctions were dynamically linked to the tornado bursts using a linear, first order model. The model was subsequently applied to predict tornado bursts based on optically detected localized extinction events. It was found that both localized extinctions and tornado bursts are by themselves Poisson processes; the exponential distribution of their spacing times could be used to determine blowout probability. Blowout mitigation was achieved by redistributing the fuel flow between the annular swirlers and central preinjection pilot, both of which were premixed. Rule-based and lead-lag control architectures were developed and validated.

Este trabalho aborda o desenvolvimento de um sistema de controle de temperatura para um aquecedor de passagem de água a gás. O sistema de controle Controlgás é apresentado e comparado ao sistema de controle típico, usado em aquecedores de passagem convencionais. São apresentadas as características e objetivos do projeto Controlgás, o qual serviu de base para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho. É apresentada uma fundamentação teórica sobre técnicas de controle para compensação de variações paramétricas e de atrasos de transporte, bem como uma revisão sobre as principais soluções já desenvolvidas para o controle de temperatura da água em aquecedores de passagem. A bancada experimental, contendo o aquecedor e o sistema de controle, utilizada em trabalhos anteriores, foi reestruturada e instrumentada com sensores de temperatura na entrada e na saída de água e com sensores que detectam a presença de chama e de fluxo de água. Foi desenvolvida uma servo-válvula que permite a regulagem automática da vazão de gás. Desenvolveu-se um circuito de potência para o acionamento dos atuadores (solenoides e servo-válvula) da bancada, assim como algoritmos que geram os sinais adequados para seu funcionamento. Foi feita a identificação do processo e o modelo da servo-válvula foi obtido por meio da análise de ensaios experimentais. O modelo do sistema completo foi desenvolvido no programa Simulink, onde foram feitas simulações do comportamento dinâmico do sistema proposto. O sistema foi implantado experimentalmente e foi capaz de convergir para as temperaturas de referência durante os ensaios. / This work addresses the development of a temperature control system for a gas tankless water heater. The Controlgás control system is presented and compared to typical control systems used in regular tankless water heaters. The characteristics and objectives of Controlgás project, which formed the basis for the development of this work, are presented. A theoretical foundation on control techniques for compensation of parametric variations and transport delays is presented, as well as a review of the main solutions already developed for the control of water temperature on tankless water heaters. The experimental set containing the heater and the control system used in previous work was restructured and instrumented with temperature sensors at the water's input and output and with sensors which detect the presence of flame and the water flow. A servo-valve that allows automatic adjustment of the gas flow was developed. A power circuit was created to drive the actuators (solenoids and servo-valve) of the set, as well as algorithms that generate the appropriate signals for its operation. The process identification and the servo-valve‟s model were obtained through experimental analysis. The system‟s complete model was developed in Simulink, where simulations of the dynamic behavior of the proposed system were made. The system was implemented experimentally and was able to converge to the reference temperatures during the tests.

Este trabalho aborda o desenvolvimento de um sistema de controle de temperatura para um aquecedor de passagem de água a gás. O sistema de controle Controlgás é apresentado e comparado ao sistema de controle típico, usado em aquecedores de passagem convencionais. São apresentadas as características e objetivos do projeto Controlgás, o qual serviu de base para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho. É apresentada uma fundamentação teórica sobre técnicas de controle para compensação de variações paramétricas e de atrasos de transporte, bem como uma revisão sobre as principais soluções já desenvolvidas para o controle de temperatura da água em aquecedores de passagem. A bancada experimental, contendo o aquecedor e o sistema de controle, utilizada em trabalhos anteriores, foi reestruturada e instrumentada com sensores de temperatura na entrada e na saída de água e com sensores que detectam a presença de chama e de fluxo de água. Foi desenvolvida uma servo-válvula que permite a regulagem automática da vazão de gás. Desenvolveu-se um circuito de potência para o acionamento dos atuadores (solenoides e servo-válvula) da bancada, assim como algoritmos que geram os sinais adequados para seu funcionamento. Foi feita a identificação do processo e o modelo da servo-válvula foi obtido por meio da análise de ensaios experimentais. O modelo do sistema completo foi desenvolvido no programa Simulink, onde foram feitas simulações do comportamento dinâmico do sistema proposto. O sistema foi implantado experimentalmente e foi capaz de convergir para as temperaturas de referência durante os ensaios. / This work addresses the development of a temperature control system for a gas tankless water heater. The Controlgás control system is presented and compared to typical control systems used in regular tankless water heaters. The characteristics and objectives of Controlgás project, which formed the basis for the development of this work, are presented. A theoretical foundation on control techniques for compensation of parametric variations and transport delays is presented, as well as a review of the main solutions already developed for the control of water temperature on tankless water heaters. The experimental set containing the heater and the control system used in previous work was restructured and instrumented with temperature sensors at the water's input and output and with sensors which detect the presence of flame and the water flow. A servo-valve that allows automatic adjustment of the gas flow was developed. A power circuit was created to drive the actuators (solenoids and servo-valve) of the set, as well as algorithms that generate the appropriate signals for its operation. The process identification and the servo-valve‟s model were obtained through experimental analysis. The system‟s complete model was developed in Simulink, where simulations of the dynamic behavior of the proposed system were made. The system was implemented experimentally and was able to converge to the reference temperatures during the tests.

Les récentes normes environnementales et les demandes de réduction des émissions et de consommation de carburants des moteurs essence exigent de nouvelles stratégies de combustion par lesquels le mélange air/essence devrait être méticuleusement commandé en temps réel par un capteur de pression. Le contrôle de la pression cylindre est une technologie principale qui permet une coordination optimisée du mélange air/carburant, et la recirculation des gaz d'échappement par la rétroaction de contrôle. A ce jour, la mesure de pression cylindre en temps réel n'est pas fournie même sur les voitures récentes. Jusqu'à présent cette mesure a été mise en application sur des moteurs spécifiques pour le développement d'applications particulières telles que le contrôle moteur. Plusieurs obstacles empêchent l'intégration des capteurs de pression sur les nouveaux moteurs; le coût de production élevé de ces dispositifs et leurs implémentations complexe sur les moteurs standards retarde leur développement.Le capteur de pression GCS™ (Gasoline Combustion Sensor) est un capteur non-intrusif de pression cylindre intégré dans une bougie d'allumage qui a un accès direct à la chambre de combustion. Il répond aux contraintes d'intégration automobile, de performance et de fiabilité, et permet la mesure de pression jusqu'à 200bar et du cliquetis. Ce type de capteur permet le suivi de combustion en temps réel exigé pour la combustion par auto-allumage par laquelle la rétroaction rapide des événements de combustion permet la gestion étincelle/carburant dans chaque cylindre. Il agit sur l'allumage aussi bien que sur l'injection pour optimiser la combustion et réduire la consommation de carburant d'environ 1.4% et les émissions de polluants d'environ 10%.La présente thèse concerne le développement d'un capteur de pression fiable et bas-cout qui sera une condition de base pour les prochaines générations de moteurs. Cette étude concerne deux types d'éléments sensibles différents. L'un est basé sur une céramique piézoélectrique, et l'autre comporte un système piézo-résistif de jauges de contraintes sérigraphiées sur l'isolant céramique de la bougie d'allumage. Durant cette analyse, des problèmes mécaniques ont été soulignés et une section a été consacrée pour résoudre le problème de transmission de pression à l'élément sensible réduisant les bruits mécaniques notamment. Différents concepts mécaniques ont été développés et regroupés sous plusieurs familles, dont deux catégories ont été retenues pour la suite du développement.Le premier chapitre décrit le projet d'un vue globalement, les caractéristiques du capteur et le principe de mesure. Le second chapitre se rapporte à l'élément sensible et la description des technologies utilisées. Le développement mécanique du corps d'épreuve du capteur basé sur un élément sensible piézoélectrique sera présenté en détail dans le troisième chapitre. Le quatrième chapitre comprend la caractérisation des deux types de capteurs piézoélectriques et piézo-résistifs. Le cinquième chapitre décrit le traitement du signal issu de l'élément sensible et le packaging du capteur. Le dernier chapitre présente une perspective d'optimisation du dispositif. / Recent environmentally-friendly norms and global demands for lower emissions and lower fuel consumption on gasoline engines require innovative combustion strategies, whereby air/fuel mixture should be meticulously controlled through a real time pressure feed-back sensor. In-cylinder pressure control has shown to be a key technology that enables an optimized coordination of an air/fuel mixture, and exhaust gas recirculation through closed loop control.Nowadays real time in-cylinder pressure measurement is not provided on passenger's cars. Thus far it has been implemented on specific engine for development of particular applications such as engine control. Several obstacles prevent the integration of pressure sensors on new engines such as high production cost of this device and its complex implementation on a standard engine. The Gasoline Combustion Sensor™ (GCS) is a non-intrusive in-cylinder pressure sensor integrated into a spark plug which has direct access to the combustion chamber. It answers the automotive integration constraints performance and reliability and allows in-cylinder pressure measurement up to 200bar, knock and misfiring detection.Such sensors allow for combustion follow-up in a real-time direct mode required for auto ignition combustion whereby fast feedback of combustion events enables fine tuning and individual cylinder spark/fuel management. It operates on the ignition as well as on the injection to optimize the combustion and reduce fuel consumption by an average of 1.4% under steady-state conditions, which will reduce harmful emissions by about 10%. The present thesis relates to the development of a low-cost pressure sensor which will be a basic requirement for future engine generations. It consists on two different sensing element types, one is based on piezoelectric ceramic, and the other comprises piezo-resistive strain gauge system directly embedded on the ceramic insulator. During this analysis, mechanical problems have been emphasized and a section was dedicated to resolve the problem of the pressure transmission to the sensing element reducing structure-borne noise on the sensor. Different mechanical concepts have been developed, where two categories have been selected.Chapter one describes the project in a global overview including sensor specifications and sensing principle, chapter two relates to the sensing element materialization including technology description. Proof body development based on piezoelectric sensor will be presented in detail in chapter three, while chapter four contains device characterization of both sensor types piezoelectric and piezo-resistive. Chapter five describes the signal processing and sensor packaging, and chapter six gives an optimization perspective of the device.

No description available.