Fuel Supply Network Control Using DAG Pathway Setpoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel supply networks face challenges in efficiently controlling throughput and reducing environmental emissions, particularly due to the exponential growth of pathways with the number of processes, which complicates the development of effective control systems and leads to non-compliance with certified carbon intensity values.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a directed acyclic graph to represent the fuel supply network, defining reportable fuel pathways as a system of linear equations, and calculating designated pathway quantities to determine throughput setpoint values for control elements, thereby optimizing pathway designations and reducing carbon intensity non-compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of processes in the fuel supply network is increased to improve productivity and fuel variety, then the number of pathways grows exponentially, which complicates the control system development and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex fuel supply network into distinct pathways, each representing a unique sequence of processes from feedstock to end-use point. By dividing the network into manageable pathway segments and representing them as a directed acyclic graph, the control system can handle complexity through structured decomposition rather than managing the entire network as a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical representation dimension by modeling the fuel supply network as a directed acyclic graph where pathways are visualized as sequences of edges and nodes. This dimensional transformation from tabular process data to graphical pathway structures enables more intuitive analysis and control system development.
2Reliability
If traditional control systems are used to regulate throughput in each process, then basic control functions are maintained, but the systems cannot effectively designate pathway quantities or ensure compliance with certified carbon intensity values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors pathway quantities and carbon intensity values, comparing actual performance against certified thresholds. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust control element setpoints to maintain compliance, transforming a static control system into a dynamic compliance-assuring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pathway quantity designations as an intermediary layer between traditional throughput control and carbon intensity compliance. This intermediary concept allows the system to manage compliance by controlling designated quantities for each pathway, which then naturally ensures carbon intensity requirements are met without directly controlling every process parameter.
3Measurement precision
If the control system attempts to manage all pathways in the network, then complete pathway control is achieved, but the computational complexity and time required for control system development increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining the directed acyclic graph structure and identifying all possible pathways before control system implementation. This preliminary graphical modeling and pathway enumeration allows the control system to be built on a pre-processed foundation, reducing development time while maintaining complete pathway coverage and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a fuel supply network, the method comprising: defining a directed acyclic graph comprising a set of fuel pathways; defining a set of reportable fuel pathways as a set of linear equations, the set of reportable fuel pathways comprising a subset of the set of fuel pathways; solving the set of linear equations to determine designated pathway quantities for the set of reportable fuel pathways; determining one or more throughput setpoint values for one or more edges in the directed acyclic graph based on the designated pathway quantities for one or more reportable fuel pathways associated with said one or more edges; controlling one or more control elements of the processes associated with the one or more edges based on the determined throughput setpoint values for the respective one or more edges.