Improved process control through online analyses of biofuel pellets

The aim of the project is to develop on-line methods for determination of physical characteristics of biofuel pellets e.g. durability, fine particles, pellet density, pellet length and particle size. The on-line measurements are based on the vibration technique. Sensors (accelerometers) are placed on the production equipment recording vibrations from the process equipment and the pellets. Reference measurements are based on the methodology described in the relevant Technical specifications (TS) for determination of quality of solid biofuel. Subsequent data analysis is performed with multivariate data analysis techniques. Fast and reliable information of fuel quality is essential for facilitating trade and improved process control during combustion and production of pellets. Recently, the European Standardisation Committee (CEN) issued a number of TS's for determination of quality of biofuel pellets. Common for the TS's is that they describe off-line methods. However, the time lag between the time of sampling and time of analysis in practise render improvements of the process control. The results from the project is expected to improve the possibilities of on-line control of pellet quality both in the production plants and the energy plant