CAREER: Process Systems Framework for the Efficient Design, Intensification and Control of Modular Energy Systems

项目负责人：Lima， Fernando提案编号：1653098机构：西弗吉尼亚大学研究公司标题：职业：模块化能源系统高效设计、强化和控制的过程系统框架该项目旨在开发基于优化的模块化能源系统设计和控制框架。这项工作的灵感来自于目前页岩气的丰富，以及它作为生产能源和化学品的低成本原料的潜力。为了证明所开发方法的有效性，将讨论两个天然气利用案例研究：(i)将甲烷直接转化为燃料和化学品的膜反应器；（二）热电联产天然气联合循环系统。拟议研究的成功完成将为促进模块化系统渗透到经济中提供一个框架。该提案的主要教育和推广目标是通过采用三维过程模拟器的互动游戏环境来实现体验式学习。为实现这一目标，建议开展以下活动：(i)将交互式模拟器学习工具纳入包括过程系统概念的本科和研究生化学工程课程；（二）在以学习、探索和招聘为重点的外联活动中实施基于模拟器的游戏活动。这些活动的目的是让高中生和本科生参与其中，包括代表性不足的群体、普通大众和流程系统研究人员。所提出的研究将为工艺设计、控制和评估提供理论进展。提出了两个研究方向：(i)基于非线性优化的工艺设计和强化方法，采用计算几何、优化和统计工具；（ii）模块化系统的综合控制估计框架，该框架将移动水平估计纳入随机模型预测控制。这项潜在的变革性研究将使我们更深入地了解模块化能源系统的可行操作区域，以实现过程强化，并克服在存在不确定性和减少环境足迹的情况下满足产品质量规范的控制挑战。通过采用开发的方法，拟议的研究预计将加速能源系统模块化制造概念的部署，以减少足迹和最大化效率从低成本的甲烷气体资源中生产增值产品。拟议的框架也很灵活，可以适应其他复杂的化学和能源过程。

PI: Lima, Fernando Proposal Number: 1653098 Institution: West Virginia University Research CorporationTitle: CAREER: Process Systems Framework for the Efficient Design, Intensification and Control of Modular Energy SystemsThis project aims to develop an optimization-based framework for the design and control of modular energy systems. The work is inspired by the current abundance of shale gas and its potential for use as a low-cost feedstock for producing energy and chemicals. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approaches, two natural gas utilization case studies will be addressed: (i) a membrane reactor for direct conversion of methane to fuels and chemicals; and (ii) a natural gas combined cycle system for combined heat and power generation. The successful completion of the proposed research will provide a framework to facilitate the penetration of modular systems into the economy. The main educational and outreach goal of the proposal is to enable experiential learning by employing an interactive gaming environment of 3-D process simulators. To achieve this goal, the following activities are proposed: (i) incorporation of interactive simulator learning tools into undergraduate and graduate chemical engineering courses that include process systems concepts; and (ii) implementation of simulator-based gaming activities for outreach events focused on learning, exploration and recruitment. These activities will be designed to engage high-school and undergraduate students, including underrepresented groups, the lay public, and process systems researchers.The proposed research will provide theoretical advances in process design, control and estimation. Two research directions are proposed: (i) a nonlinear optimization-based approach for process design and intensification that employs computational geometry, optimization and statistical tools; and (ii) an integrated control-estimation framework for modular systems that incorporates moving horizon estimation into stochastic model predictive control. This potentially transformative research will lead to a deeper understanding of the feasible operating regions for modular energy systems to achieve process intensification and to overcome the control challenges of meeting product quality specifications under the presence of uncertainties and with reduced environmental footprint. By employing the developed methods, the proposed research is expected to accelerate the deployment of the concept of modular manufacturing for energy systems that produce value-added products from low cost methane gas resources with reduced footprint and maximized efficiency. The proposed framework is also flexible and could be adapted to tackle other complex chemical and energy processes.