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

PI：利马，费尔南多提案编号：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本项目旨在为模块化能源系统的设计和控制开发一个基于优化的框架。这项工作的灵感来自于目前丰富的页岩气及其作为生产能源和化学品的低成本原料的潜力。为证明所开发方法的有效性，将进行两个天然气利用案例研究：(I)用于将甲烷直接转化为燃料和化学品的膜反应器；(Ii)用于热电联产的天然气联合循环系统。拟议研究的成功完成将提供一个框架，以促进模块化系统在经济中的渗透。该提案的主要教育和推广目标是通过采用3-D过程模拟器的交互式游戏环境来实现体验式学习。为实现这一目标，拟议开展以下活动：(1)将交互式模拟器学习工具纳入包含过程系统概念的本科生和研究生化学工程课程；(2)为侧重学习、探索和招聘的外联活动开展基于模拟器的游戏活动。这些活动旨在吸引高中生和本科生，包括代表性不足的群体、普通公众和过程系统研究人员。拟议的研究将在过程设计、控制和评估方面提供理论上的进步。提出了两个研究方向：(I)基于非线性优化的过程设计和强化方法，利用计算几何、优化和统计工具；(Ii)模块化系统的集成控制-估计框架，将滚动区间估计结合到随机模型预测控制中。这一潜在的变革性研究将使人们更深入地了解模块化能源系统的可行运行区域，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，预计拟议的研究将加快能源系统模块化制造概念的部署，这些能源系统利用低成本甲烷气体资源生产增值产品，减少足迹并最大限度地提高效率。拟议的框架也很灵活，可以调整以处理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.