A Dynamic Model Incorporated with Delay Estimation and Variable Selection for Control of SCR De-NOx Process

Abstract

In order to control NH3 injection for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) denitration (SCR de-NOx) process, a model that can accurately and quickly predict outlet NOx emissions is required. This paper presents a dynamic kernel partial least squares (KPLS) model incorporated with delay estimation and variable selection for outlet NOx emission and investigated control strategy for NH3 injection. First, k-nearest neighbor mutual information (KNN_MI) was used for delay estimation, and the effect of historical data lengths on KNN_MI was taken into account. Bidirectional search based on the change rate of KNN_MI (KNN_MI_CR) was used for variable selection. Delay–time difference update algorithm and feedback correction strategy were proposed. Second, the NH3 injection compensator (NIC) and the outlet NOx emission model constituted a correction controller. Then, its output and the output of the existing controller are added up to suitable NH3 injection. Finally, the KNN_MI_CR method was compared with different algorithms by benchmark dataset. The field data results showed that the KNN_MI_CR method could improve model accuracy for reconstructed samples. The final model can predict outlet NOx emissions in different operating states accurately. The control result not only meets the NOx emissions standard (50 mg/m3) but also keeps high de-NOx efficiency (80%). NH3 injection and NH3 escape are reduced by 11% and 39%.