Abstract
Sasol synfuels power station is one of Sasol’s biggest Synfuel Plants Operations that is based in Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The plant coal is supplied by five different Mpumalanga-based coal mines. After these coals have been crushed and evenly distributed to the boiler sections which has 9 boilers that are situated at the Steam Plant East and the other 8 remaining boilers are situated on the Steam Plant West of the SASOL Synfuels Power Station. This then helps in generating electricity that is used for coal gasification which a process of heating up and converting coal into a synthesis gas at an optimum temperature of 1300 ℃ [1].
This then produces the syngas products which stem from two types of reactors, first being a fluidized bed and the second being Sasol advanced Synthol reactors. These reactors are then used to produce important components that are used to manufacture products such as synthetic fuels as well as several downstream chemicals. Products such as ammonia and different grades of coke are then produced during gasification, a process aimed at refining gas water and tar oil streams for the formation of these products [1].
The purpose and objective of this research dissertation is to investigate, design and develop an Acoustic Cleaning Device Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This system will mainly be used at SASOL Synfuels Stations to control, monitor, and provide reporting infrastructure for the newly developed Acoustic Cleaning Device Technology (ACDT) that will be used for the cleaning and maintenance of the Sasol Synfuels Power Station steam coal boilers.
This SCADA system will also be used to control and monitor variables such as vibration, acoustic energy waves, as well as providing feedback on the efficiency and functionality of the Acoustic Horn Device (AHD). With further development and adjustments, this system will also have the capabilities to read and record additional variables such as the boiler’s furnace temperature levels and humidity. The system will also provide compatibility to the ACDT SCADA system on other monitoring and sensing devices that are currently used or will be used in the future by Sasol Synfuels Power Station. This will be achieved through separate investigations and upon requested integrations.
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General Definitions
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, and it is a combination of computers, networks, data capturing and communication, and a graphical user interface (GUI) and is normally used for a high-level process supervisory management.
Acoustic Cleaning Device Technology achieved by placing an acoustic horn on the boiler and thereafter releasing sound wave energy through the boiler which then causes boiler tubes and interior of the ball furnace to vibrate therefore shaking off the ash soot deposited onto their surfaces
A boiler is normally a medium to a big, closed vessel in which liquid or water get heated for steam generation purposes, this steam gets superheated under pressure and get used for electricity generation in later parts of the steam plant.