FUELCONTROL® Storage – Real-Time Storage Model for Fuel Management
FUELCONTROL® Storage continuously provides information on the quantity, moisture content, energy content and distribution of fuel in storage and boiler silos. The system helps optimize fuel use and supports power plant operations with real-time information.
✓ Real-time silo model
✓ Predicts fuel quality before the boiler
✓ Solution based on patented technology
Fuel Is Often the Biggest Unknown at a Power Plant
Measurements taken when fuel is received provide information about the quality of individual loads at the time of delivery, but they do not show what kind of fuel is ultimately fed to the boiler. During storage, different fuels mix and their properties change, meaning that the data measured upon delivery no longer represents the actual contents of the silos.
At most plants, fuel quality monitoring is based on sampling and laboratory analysis. These methods provide valuable information, but they do not give a real-time view of the received fuel or its location within the plant.
When FUELCONTROL® Storage is combined with FUELCONTROL® Scanner, they form a real-time storage model that uses measurement data collected from every received load. The system shows what is in the silos, how the fuel moves through the plant and what kind of fuel is heading towards the boiler.
How Does the System Work?
FUELCONTROL® Storage combines fuel measurement data collected upon receipt, silo level data and plant process data into a real-time storage model.
The system tracks the movement of fuel within the power plant and continuously provides information on silo contents, moisture content, energy content and fuel mixtures.
This enables operators to anticipate the quality of the fuel fed to the boiler and make better operational decisions based on real-time data.
What Does the User See?
The operator can view the contents of the silos based on parameters such as:
- fuel type
- moisture content
- energy content
- foreign material content
- elemental composition
The information is continuously updated while the plant is operating.
Benefits
Better process control – Information about the upcoming fuel mixture before it reaches the boiler.
More consistent combustion – Anticipation of variations in fuel quality.
Better fuel management – Up-to-date information about the actual contents of the silos.
Fewer surprises – Fewer disruptions caused by variations in fuel quality.
Better decision-making – Data can be easily integrated with automation systems and reporting.
Based on Patented Technology
FUELCONTROL® Storage is based on a method for fuel management within power plants developed and patented by Inray. The technology is protected in several markets, including the United States and China.
Loimua – Real-Time Visibility into Fuel Storage
Loimua's Vanaja Power Plant in Hämeenlinna, Finland, primarily uses locally sourced renewable fuels whose quality varies continuously.
FUELCONTROL® Storage creates a real-time storage model that combines fuel quality data, silo information and process data into a single view of the fuel storage. The system helps plant operators monitor the actual contents of the silos, anticipate the quality of the fuel fed to the boiler and make decisions based on up-to-date information.
This extends fuel quality management all the way from fuel reception to the boiler.
System Delivered
- 2 × FUELCONTROL® Scanner
- 2 × INRAY® Camera
- FUELCONTROL® Storage
Benefits
- Real-time visibility into fuel storage contents
- More accurate information about the upcoming fuel mixture
- Better support for operational decision-making
- Ability to optimize the fuel fed to the boiler
- Fuel quality management from reception to boiler