Monitoring and control of biogas plants
Biogas plants require a minimum control and monitoring of their processes. Some of the physical and chemical parameters to control in the process of anaerobic digestion and biogas generation are temperature, pH, conductivity, pressure and level.
However, in addition to these parameters, it is also important to control other existing elements that operate the biogas plant as a whole, such as pumping equipment, blowers, compressors, flow meters, valves, motors, etc., and therefore it is sometimes necessary and essential to have a minimum automation of the plant.
In ProCycla we have developed a functional and patented Control System, which allows us to monitor the mechanical and biological processes that take place in a biogas plant. This is possible through the use of complex algorithms of artificial intelligence, which are adapted to the needs and type of plant in each case, even being able to predict possible failures or future production, allowing to have ample time for action.
What is a control system for?
To implement a control and monitoring system, it is very important to size the type of biogas plant to which it is addressed, i.e., its scale, type of substrate to be treated, volumes, among others, to later choose the associated instrumentation such as pressure, level, temperature, etc. sensors and transmitters. Another important point is whether to opt for an electric or pneumatic automation system.
At ProCycla we make sure to implement the best control system adapted to your needs, previously carrying out an exhaustive study of the most important points to evaluate in this type of biogas plants.
How is a control system implemented?
To implement a control and automation system, it is very important to size the type of biogas plant to which it is addressed, i.e., its scale, type of substrate to be treated, volumes, among others, to later choose the associated instrumentation such as pressure, level, temperature, etc. sensors and transmitters. Another important point is whether to opt for an electric or pneumatic automation system.
At ProCycla we make sure to implement the best control system adapted to your needs, previously carrying out an exhaustive study of the most important points to evaluate in this type of biogas plants.
ProCycla® SCR® control system
The Control System (SCR®) designed by ProCycla is characterized by its simplicity and efficiency, and can be applied to any type of anaerobic digester, either in Piston Flow (PF) or Complete Mixing (CM) configuration. The technology comprises a software that integrates the well-known standard ADM1 ('Anaerobic Digestion Model 1'), which has been modified to optimize the process in some aspects:
- It allows greater control of the biological process and, therefore, greater biogas generation;
- Increases energy efficiency by controlling the power and intermittency of agitation, as well as the thermal conditions required by the sludge;
- Predicts process failures that minimize operational and maintenance costs, as well as shutdowns and start-ups;
- It provides a monitoring and control environment that is adaptable to plant conditions and easy for inexperienced operators to use.
