Optimizing product drying through parallel lines of centrifuges and dryer process units
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the distribution of stillage through a plurality of centrifuges and dryers, comprising:
- (a) determining operating variables of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers, wherein the plurality of centrifuges and dryers are located within parallel distribution paths;
(b) determining constraints of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers;
(c) determining an overall optimization objective;
(d) determining optimal flow rates of stillage through the parallel distribution paths based upon the determined operating variables, constraints, and overall optimization objective; and
(e) controlling the flow rates of stillage between the parallel distribution paths based upon the optimal flow rate determinations.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides novel techniques for controlling flow rates through parallel distribution paths of centrifuges and dryers using model predictive control. In particular, the present techniques are presented in the context of biofuel production, wherein control of whole stillage flow rates through parallel distribution paths of centrifuges and dryers may be optimized. However, the present techniques may also be applied to other suitable applications, such as the production of agricultural products, where parallel distribution paths of centrifuges and dryers may be used to separate solids from liquids as well as to remove water from the solids and liquids.
120 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling the distribution of stillage through a plurality of centrifuges and dryers, comprising:
-
(a) determining operating variables of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers, wherein the plurality of centrifuges and dryers are located within parallel distribution paths; (b) determining constraints of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers; (c) determining an overall optimization objective; (d) determining optimal flow rates of stillage through the parallel distribution paths based upon the determined operating variables, constraints, and overall optimization objective; and (e) controlling the flow rates of stillage between the parallel distribution paths based upon the optimal flow rate determinations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
computer code disposed on the non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the code comprises instructions for controlling the distribution of stillage through a plurality of centrifuges and dryers, the instructions comprising; instructions for determining operating variables of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers, wherein the plurality of centrifuges and dryers are located within parallel distribution paths; instructions for determining constraints of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers; instructions for determining an overall optimization objective; instructions for determining optimal flow rates of stillage through the parallel distribution paths based upon the determined operating variables, constraints, and overall optimization objective; and instructions for controlling the flow rates of stillage between the parallel distribution paths based upon the optimal flow rate determinations. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
17. A process controller for controlling the distribution of stillage through centrifuges and dryers, comprising:
a computer readable medium comprising computer code disposed on the computer readable medium, wherein the code comprises instructions for controlling the distribution of stillage through a plurality of centrifuges and dryers, the instructions comprising; instructions for determining operating variables of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers, wherein the plurality of centrifuges and dryers are located within parallel distribution paths; instructions for determining constraints of the plurality of centrifuges and dryers; instructions for determining an overall optimization objective; instructions for determining optimal flow rates of stillage through the parallel distribution paths based upon the determined operating variables, constraints, and overall optimization objective; and instructions for controlling the flow rates of stillage between the parallel distribution paths based upon the optimal flow rate determinations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification