TRAX engineers develop high-performance, high-fidelity models to solve even the most complex plant problems using our ProTRAX simulation software system.
ProTRAX is comprised of an extensive library of over 200 components or modules. These modules are configured to exactly match a site component, and individual modules are tailored to match the specific plant, resulting in a high-fidelity model that truly represents plant operation.
A furnace draft study begins by building a dynamic model of the existing plant using our proprietary software, ProTRAX — a modular, dynamic simulation system based on first principles of mass, energy, and momentum conservation.
The furnace draft dynamic model is comprised of both a process model and control system model.
TRAX builds the model using design and plant operating data. Individual components such as furnaces, superheaters, precipitators, air heaters, fans, scrubbers, dampers, and ducts are dropped onto a page and connected to one another to represent the plant configuration. The resulting schematics closely resemble piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) with individual pieces of equipment, equipment numbers and line numbers.
A complete set of SAMA modules, which can be used to simulate controls, are part of the ProTRAX software. Control parameters (such as proportional or integral gains, high and low limits, etc.) are all built into the model.
TRAX verifies the accuracy of the model at multiple steady-state conditions, as well as through a dynamic event. Once the existing configuration plant model is validated, the model is modified to reflect the proposed equipment and controls changes that will occur at the plant.
Transient testing begins and the model is subjected to different scenarios — fan trips, MFTs, misoperation, catastrophic equipment failure. Through these transient events, pressures, flows, and temperatures are monitored throughout the system.
The transients allow investigation of plant dynamics caused by actuator stroke time, control system gains, or plant runbacks. The analysis done during the dynamic events can provide information that cannot be obtained with normal steady-state analysis, such as utilization of a vent stack, flow reversals, and optimum control system tuning.
A full review of proposed controls changes performed as part of a furnace draft study can also confirm control compliance with industry guidelines such as the NFPA 85 code.
Once transient tests are complete, results are analyzed to identify excessive pressure, flow, temperature, electrical current excursions, or other undesirable behaviors.
TRAX Energy Solutions develops and tests process or control logic changes to prevent or remediate the excessive conditions. Process and control modifications can be tested individually, or in combination, to determine what works best.
