Abnormal temperature monitoring at biomass power facilities

An integrated management system with all-in-one equipment

Overview

As efforts toward a decarbonized society spread, renewable energy is drawing attention. Renewable energy includes geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar power. Among them, biomass is expected to be a stable source that depends less on natural conditions.
Biomass power generates electricity from the heat of burning materials such as wood chips and combustible waste. It has drawn attention in recent years because the waste heat after generation can be used effectively for heating and hot water in the surrounding area. Biomass power is also based on the idea of being “carbon neutral,” meaning that burning the fuel does not change the overall amount of CO2. Plants emit CO2 when burned, but while growing they absorb CO2 from the air through photosynthesis. Carbon neutrality is this idea of the carbon cycle, in which the CO2 emitted and absorbed are equal.
However, there is a growing number of fires and boiler problems at biomass power plants, caused by issues such as poor-quality wood pellets. To address this, functions for temperature monitoring, video monitoring, and alert notifications are needed.

Challenge: Fire risk and complex management systems

At biomass power facilities, there are several places where fires are likely, including the fuel in the fuel storage yard, the expansion equipment, and the bottom ash equipment. A monitoring system that can watch all of these together is essential. However, there are several challenges in achieving fire monitoring.

1. Risk of spontaneous combustion and fire in the fuel

In the fuel storage yard mentioned above, fuel such as wood pellets ferments naturally and gives off heat and steam. Fuel storage yards are often indoor or semi-indoor warehouse-like facilities, and large amounts of steam tend to hang where the fuel is stored. When the fuel is exposed to rain, its moisture content rises, it heats up more easily, and the risk of spontaneous combustion increases.

2. Use in a harsh environment

Processing fuel can scatter a great deal of dust and debris. Over long-term operation, the equipment itself may deteriorate and cause accidents or fires, or the generation equipment may have to stop. Equipment with high environmental durability is therefore needed.

3. Complex system configuration

Because video must be recorded in addition to temperature data, the system configuration becomes complex, and isolating the cause of a problem can be difficult. Combining many kinds of equipment also adds cost.

amnimo’s solution: An integrated management system with rugged equipment

A single unit that plays several roles provides an integrated management system and supports safe, efficient operation of biomass power businesses.

1. Multiple devices combined in one

The edge gateway handles all the required equipment, including storage for video, server functions, a PoE hub, and an LTE router. One unit provides video monitoring, alert messages, and other functions. It also makes it easier to isolate the cause when trouble occurs. In addition, you can remotely reboot devices through PoE, which allows a fast response while keeping site visits to a minimum.

2. Stable operation with high environmental durability

As mentioned above, biomass power facilities operate in heavy dust, so environmental durability is needed. amnimo products are highly rugged, which reduces failures and keeps them running reliably. Device health monitoring from remote locations also keeps maintenance to a minimum.

3. Efficient operational monitoring with an integrated management system

You can bring many kinds of data together on the amnimo gateway, not only camera data for abnormal temperature monitoring but also temperature data, ordinary security camera video, and alert information, to build an integrated management system. Integrating systems that used to be separate minimizes complicated management work that depends on specific people, and makes operational monitoring efficient.

4. Different types of cameras can be used

Monitoring abnormal temperatures requires thermal cameras that can measure temperature. But if you also want to monitor other areas for security, you may use ordinary visible-light cameras. Even then, amnimo products can record and monitor video from cameras made by different manufacturers.