Automation of boiler process at thermal power plant using sensors and IoT

Abstract

Internet of Things is the new era for industrial automation to produced quality products, by implementing automation in accordance with the existing man power at low cost. Despite the use of Distributed Control System or Programmable Logic Controller (DCS/PLC) in Thermal Power Plants, controlling parameters like temperature, humidity and pressure is a critical and essential process, and require a well-organized and trained labor for the completion of tasks without any mishappening. This paper focuses on developing a smart simulation and automated system to makes use of modeling and pattern discovery along with the data mining techniques to collect data from the thermal power plant. Each boiler is attached with each other through a sensor which in turn is connected to an IOT driven application at remote location. The sensors work on a specific pattern depending on the possible situations that may arise while the plant is in process. The same pattern is recognized in a simulated environment with the help of modeling technique. The message passing service in the whole system makes the working of the automation project prone to accidents since modification can be made according to the environment conditions. This paper also tends to propose an idea for an IOT device that provides a virtual knob facility to adjust the parameters of the furnace from the remote area.