Fuel moisture content analysis as a basis for process monitoring of a BioGrate boiler

This paper considers the utilization of first principle models of a BioGrate boiler in a disturbance analysis study. The study focuses on the effect of fuel moisture content on the fuel combustion, since it is the most significant disturbance source in the boiler operation. The dynamic model of a BioGrate boiler, upon which the study is based, is heterogeneous, including solid and gas phases. Furthermore, the model considers chemical reactions in both gas and solid phases. In addition, fuel movement on the grate is included into the model. The energy required by the process is employed through a radiation function validated by industrial data. The model is implemented in a MATLAB environment and tested with industrial data. The results are presented and discussed.