RU2794199C1 - Method for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant raw materials - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: ventilation of plant material.

SUBSTANCE: essence of the invention lies in the fact that a material object in the form of a mound of plant materials is subjected to an air flow created by fans that force air into the mound, and devices and their hardware parts are used to ensure the operation of fans, fan control cabinets, actuators - electromagnetic contactors, temperature sensors, a wired form of communication, while setting at three different levels such parameters as: “maximum allowed fan operation time”, “minimum allowed fan downtime between switching on”, “turning on the fan when the minimum allowed temperature difference between raw material temperature and air temperature”, “minimum permitted raw material temperature”, upon reaching which the fan turns off, “maximum permitted temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and air temperature”, upon reaching which the fan turns off.

EFFECT: providing the possibility of reducing the material consumption of the energy infrastructure and electric power during ventilated storage of plant materials, as well as increasing the safety of plant materials during storage.

6 cl, 16 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to the field of ventilated storage of agricultural crop products, mainly when stored without permanent enclosing structures, such as: sugar beets, potatoes, carrots, cereals, legumes, etc. The invention can also be used in vegetable stores and floor-type granaries with enclosing structures.

The material object on which actions are carried out is a mound of vegetable raw materials: sugar beets, potatoes, carrots, cereals, legumes, etc.

The mound of vegetable raw materials in cross section has the shape of an equilateral triangle or trapezoid with a height of 3 to 10 meters, a width of 9 to 75 meters. The length of the embankment can exceed 100 meters. There may be several mounds.

The material means that act on a material object is the air flow created by fans that force air into the embankment, as well as other devices and their hardware that ensure the operation of fans: fan control cabinets, actuators, temperature sensors, and others. To control the operation of devices and their hardware, software is used that is created on the basis of the algorithms described in the proposed invention, using programming tools that allow the creation of program code such as KRUG-2000, ARIES, ENTEK, CASCADE, JavaScript, Python and others.

The fans are located along the side edge of the embankment every few meters, for example every 6 meters, and are connected to ducts located under or inside the embankment. The number of fans can be in the tens and hundreds. In the upper part of the embankment opposite each of the fans (or opposite a group of several fans) one or more radio module housings with digital temperature sensors are installed. Part of the casing with the sensor is immersed in the thickness of the embankment. The other part of the casing with the radio module rises above the embankment. Each radio module has its own unique program code, which it broadcasts over a radio channel along with the results of measurements of the temperature of the embankment at its installation site.

Influencing the ventilation processes with material means - fans, they change the state of a material object: they cool or ventilate. Vegetable raw materials entering storage during the harvesting period have a higher temperature than is required for sustainable storage. For its cooling, atmospheric air is used. The proposed invention allows, using the proposed control method, to change the ventilation processes depending on the state of the embankment - the temperature of the embankment of vegetable raw materials and environmental conditions - ambient air temperature. In order for the vegetable raw material to be cooled, the air temperature must be lower than the temperature of the raw material. At the same time, it is important not to overcool the raw materials and prevent hyperventilation, as this entails shrinkage and loss of raw materials. The present invention makes it possible to strike a balance between the need for ventilation, the undesirable consequences of excessive cooling and hyperventilation. Thanks to the possibility of successively starting and stopping the fans, significant savings in the material consumption of the energy infrastructure and electric power are achieved when arranging storage facilities for plant materials. The server software, controller software modules, control levels, modes, settings and algorithms of the proposed invention allow solving a set of tasks for controlling the ventilation of a plant material mound to ensure its safety.

A known method of controlling the ventilation of sugar beet piles using PAK-201 complexes (“Instructions for the acceptance, storage and accounting of sugar beet” Ministry of the Food Industry of the USSR, Main Directorate of the Sugar Industry, Moscow, 1984, pp. 254-262) based on data comparison measurements obtained from sensors (thermistors) located inside the sugar beet mound and sensors (thermistors) measuring the ambient air temperature.

When the temperature of the plant material exceeds the air temperature by 3-4°C, the comparing device gives a signal that causes the automatic activation of the ventilation system. If the air temperature drops below 0°C, then the comparator gives a signal that turns off the ventilation systems.

The method is implemented using PAK-201 complexes, which include:

- Temperature sensors - thermistors (up to 128 pieces);

- Transmitting part in the form of cabinets, to which thermistors, power cable and communication cable with the receiving part are connected by cable;

- Receiving part as part of the control panel, blocks for generating control commands, emergency shutdown blocks, etc.;

- Communication between the transmitting and receiving parts is provided by multi-core flexible cables of great length, etc.

The operator has the ability to switch the PAK-201 complex into two modes:

- Auto mode;

- Manual mode.

The disadvantages of the method include:

- limitation in the choice of modes of operation of the ventilation system;

- an automatic mode algorithm that offers continuous operation of the fans for a long time and without intervals, which leads to increased losses of beet mass;

- lack of control of starting currents, which leads to an overload of power supply networks above permissible values

- lack of information about the state of the system elements, which leads to an increase in the period of troubleshooting and incorrect operation of the system.

Some working conditions of active ventilation of the embankment of plant raw materials are known, described by the authors Koltsov S.M. Zherlykina M.N. Engineering systems for storage of raw materials in sugar beet production [Electronic resource] // Farmer. Chernozemie, electronic journal. April 2019 pp. 51-56. URL: http://vfermer.ru/netcat_files/userfiles/FCH_PDF/2019/Farmer1_april_2019.pdf (date of access: 05/06/2022)

The authors propose conditions for switching on the active ventilation system in automatic mode:

- the temperature of the raw material is higher than the set point set by the operator

- ambient temperature is lower than the raw material temperature

- the ambient air temperature is above -3°C. The setting is selected within the range from 0 to +3°С. The authors do not describe the ventilation control algorithms for the embankment of plant raw materials. The number of settings proposed by the authors is not enough for effective ventilation control.

The proposals of the group of authors Koltsov S.M. are known. Vasilevsky Tolstoshein S.S. Mamontov R.A. Irzhavtsev K.Yu. Multiple reduction in energy consumption of active ventilation systems of sugar beet piles [Electronic resource] // Sugar. Electronic journal. 2019. No. 4. pp.70-75. URL: http://saharmag.com/fix/magazine/jotnal_148.html (accessed 05/06/2022).

Where the issues of reducing energy consumption during the ventilated storage of sugar beet plant raw material mounds at the factory beet stations of sugar factories are considered and it is proposed to use the mound ventilation control using a discrete ventilation scheme, without specifying the duration of periods of operation and downtime, as well as a number of general characteristics of ventilation modes and some of their settings without detail. It is indicated that this solution for managing the ventilation of a mound of plant materials was implemented on the basis of the Krug-2000 SCADA and a fragment of the software interface is given as an example. The authors do not describe control algorithms.

TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES of the invention are to reduce the material consumption of the energy infrastructure and electrical power during ventilated storage of plant materials. Increasing the safety of plant raw materials during storage.

TECHNICAL RESULTS of the proposed invention are:

1. Reducing the material consumption of the energy infrastructure of the heap field for ventilated storage of plant materials. Including:

1.1. Reducing the power of transformer installations;

1.2. Reducing the cross section (material consumption) of power cables of power transmission lines at the site transformer installation - switch cabinet;

2. Reducing the power consumption;

3. Reducing the value of group starting currents;

4. Reducing the material consumption of technical means for transmitting information and control signals of the ventilation system due to the transition from wired transmission between individual elements of the system to a local wireless Intranet.

5. Reduction in the process of storage of mass losses and technological properties of raw materials. For example, beet mass and sucrose content for sugar beets;

6. Increasing the duration of storage of vegetable raw materials in bulk.

Technical results are achieved due to the essential distinguishing features of the invention:

1. Management of embankment ventilation at three levels: the whole system, ventilation control cabinet, individual fan;

2. Use of embankment ventilation control implemented in the following modes:

2.1. Mode No. 1, then R-1;

2.2. Mode No. 2, then R-2;

2.3. Mode No. 3, then R-3;

3. Use in the specified modes of a combination of five different settings in different combinations:

3.1. The maximum allowed duration of the fan operation;

3.2. The minimum allowed idle time of the fan between switching on;

3.3. Turning on the fan upon reaching the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature;

3.4. The minimum allowed raw material temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off;

3.5. The maximum permitted temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off;

4. Application of an algorithm that limits the electrical power consumed during the storage of plant materials in the embankment;

5. Application of an algorithm that limits inrush currents in the energy infrastructure that ensures the operation of the ventilation equipment of the plant material embankment;

6. Control by selecting one of the above modes by the operator and assigning the appropriate settings.

7. Wireless form of communication for the exchange of information and control files between the elements included in the software and hardware complex.

(clause 1) The proposed INVENTION IS IMPLEMENTED by a set of actions of the operator and algorithms of the software and hardware complex, consisting of software (hereinafter referred to as software) and devices that exchange information and control files with each other via communication channels.

On the basis of information files, information is displayed on the parameters and state of the plant material embankment, the temperature and humidity of the ambient air, the binding of radio modules to the actuating devices for turning on / off the fans of the ventilation control cabinet (hereinafter referred to as SHUV), the state of other elements of the ventilation system. Based on the results of processing the received data, the software creates control files for actuating devices.

In FIG. 1 shows the interface of the software that displays the state of the mound of plant materials, through which the operator interacts with the system as a whole, a separate SHUV and a separate fan, where the main menu of the program is 1; the temperature value of the bulk of vegetable raw materials, transmitted by a separate radio module 2; the number of the mound of vegetable raw materials 3; ambient air temperature and humidity values 4; displaying the status of the fan "Accident" with the simultaneous appearance of the symbol of the accident in the form of the letter "A", for example, red or changing the color of the fill of the fan widget to, for example, red 5; the average temperature of the embankment in the area of operation of a separate SHUV 6; display of the individual number SHuV 7; individual radio module number 8; individual fan number 9; the mass of the mound of vegetable raw materials 10; display of the mode, which is controlled by the fan at the current moment 11; current date and time values 12; date of laying the embankment of vegetable raw materials 13; displaying the status of the fan "Off, not working" with a simultaneous change in the fill color of the fan widget, for example, to white 14; displaying the status of the fan "On, working" with a simultaneous change in the fill color of the fan widget, for example, to green 15; software logo 16.

(clause 2) COMPOSITION OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS of the hardware-software complex for controlling the ventilation of the plant material embankment:

1. Transmitting radio modules with digital temperature sensors in the amount from several tens to several hundred pieces;

2. Central communication station (hereinafter CSS), located near the place of storage of the mound of vegetable raw materials, which includes:

2.1. Omnidirectional radio transceiver antenna providing file exchange with control cabinet controllers;

2.2. Modem;

2.3. Controller;

2.4. Other items.

3. Control cabinets for groups of fans up to several dozen, which include:

3.1. Receiving-transmitting antennas that provide file exchange between control cabinets and DSS;

3.2. Controllers;

3.3. Program modules of controllers;

3.4. Executive devices (electromagnetic contactors and other elements);

3.5. Other items.

4. Fans in quantities from several tens to several hundred pieces;

5. Server;

6. Software that implements the algorithms that are the subject of the invention.

(clause 3) FORMS OF COMMUNICATION that can be used to exchange signals between devices included in the hardware-software complex for controlling the ventilation of the plant material embankment:

1. Wireless radio communication used in the local area network Intranet;

1.1. WiFi;

1.2. ZigBee;

1.3. LPWAN, LoRa, LoRaWan;

1.4. Other radio protocols;

2. Wired communication between devices;

3. Wireless communication (3G, 3.5G, 4G, 5G other mobile communication protocols) communication between the DSS and the server;

4. Satellite communication;

5. Internet network;

The area of production sites (fields) with mounds of vegetable raw materials placed on them, covered by the Intranet network and controlled by the proposed invention, can range from several hectares to several tens of hectares.

(clause 4) ESSENTIAL FEATURES of the proposed invention are:

1. Combined use of wired and wireless forms of communication for the exchange of information and control files between the elements included in the software and hardware complex;

2. The use of discrete ventilation modes with alternating short periods of switching on fans with longer periods of downtime;

3. Desynchronization of starts and stops of each of the fans for a certain number of seconds with the same actions of the other fans:

4. Ventilation control of the embankment at three levels: the whole system, ventilation control cabinet, fan;

5. Use of three different embankment ventilation control algorithms implemented in the following modes:

5.1. Mode No. 1;

5.2. Mode No. 2;

5.3. Mode No. 3;

6. The embankment ventilation control modes are implemented with a set of five settings in different combinations:

6.1. The maximum allowed duration of the fan operation;

6.2. The minimum allowed idle time of the fan between switching on;

6.3. Turning on the fan upon reaching the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature;

6.4. The minimum allowed raw material temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off;

6.5. The maximum permitted temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off;

7. Application of an algorithm that limits the electrical power consumed during the storage of plant materials in the embankment;

8. Application of an algorithm that limits the total starting currents in the energy infrastructure during the storage of plant materials in an embankment;

9. Duplication of the signal of the radio module with a virtual signal of the software in case of a violation of the radio connection between the radio module and the DSS;

10. Delay by the software module of the controller for a specified time interval for turning off the fans in case of a radio communication failure between the SHV and the DSS;

11. Software binding of radio modules to the outputs of the SHUV controllers that control the power supply of individual fans.

(clause 5) DESCRIPTION OF FILES THAT ARE EXCHANGED BY ELEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE COMPLEX

(clause 5.1) INFORMATION FILES AND THEIR SOURCES:

Transmitting radio modules are connected to sensors that measure the temperature of vegetable raw materials. Each radio module has its own casing in the form of a narrow tube, which at one end (with the sensor / sensors) is immersed in the embankment, the radio module is placed at the opposite end of the casing. The number of radio modules with sensors can be in the tens and hundreds of units and depends on the mass of plant material and the density of their arrangement. The radio module regularly, at specified time intervals, transmits information files to the DSS. Each file reflects the result of measuring the temperature of vegetable raw materials at a particular point in time. The form of communication between the radio modules and the DSS is an Intranet wireless radio network covering the area (field) where the mounds of plant materials according to claim 3 are located.

The CSS controller is connected to the ambient air temperature and humidity sensors. At predetermined time intervals, the controller transmits information files via a modem to the server via the Internet with the results of measuring the temperature and humidity of the ambient air at a particular point in time. The form of communication between the DSS and the server is wired or wireless (using 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 5G, other mobile communication protocols) according to claim 3.

SHUV controllers, after a predetermined time interval, turn to actuators, for example, to electromagnetic contactors, to determine their status. Fan power protection devices (circuit breakers, thermal relays, cabinet control mode relays (local/disc)) can also be interrogated to determine their status. Based on the results of the next poll, an information file is created that displays the status of the polled devices and is transmitted to the CSN. The resulting CSS file is sent to the server where the file is processed, after which the program interface displays the status of the fans: 1) “on, working”; 2) "off, not working"; 3) “emergency”, etc. An emergency widget is displayed in the interface if the executive device did not execute the controller command or the protective devices for the power supply of the fans (circuit breakers, thermal relays, etc.) turned off. The specified information is displayed in accordance with the binding of hardware to software according to paragraph (clause 6).

Form of communication SHUV and DSS wired or wireless Intranet radio network. The form of communication between the DSS and the server is wired or wireless (using 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 5G, other mobile communication protocols) via the Internet according to paragraph (clause 3).

The server software may create a virtual information file in place of a radio module(s) that has lost communication for any reason. The software calculates the average temperature of all nearby operating radios associated with fans controlled by the same SHV and creates an information file with the average fill temperature for this group of radios. In the event of a communication failure with the radio module(s), the associated fans start to be controlled by the specified virtual information file with the average temperature for the given group of radio modules.

(clause 5.2) CONTROL FILES AND THEIR SOURCES

Control files for turning on/off actuators are generated by the software based on the settings set by the operator. The control file is sent from the server to the CSN via the Internet and further via the Intranet to all SHUV controllers. The code of the control file contains information on turning on/off a specific executive device that is part of one or another SHUV. SHUV controllers read the received control file. If the file is addressed to this controller, which is defined in the file code, a signal is generated to turn on a specific executive device that is part of this SHUV. If the controller has received a file that is not addressed to it, the file in this SHV remains unexecuted.

Control files created by the direct command of the operator through the program interface to turn on and off the actuators. The form of communication and the execution algorithm are similar to those indicated above (clause 3).

Control files created by the software for sequentially, with a time delay, turning on the actuators in order to reduce inrush currents and to prevent overloading of electrical networks according to clause 4. This algorithm is triggered in cases when there are conditions for the simultaneous activation of several fans at once, the total electrical power of which exceeds the value determined by the corresponding setting. The form of communication and the execution algorithm are similar to those indicated above (clause 3).

Control files created by the software that prohibit the activation of executive devices if the maximum allowed number of simultaneously operating fans, determined by the setting, is reached. This algorithm is designed to limit the electrical power when the electrical power of all fans exceeds the capabilities of electrical networks. In this case, a “queue” of files is built to turn on the fans as the running fans reach the turn-off setting. The limitation of electric power is set by the setting on the command of the operator. The form of communication and the execution algorithm are similar to those indicated above (clause 5.1).

The control file of the controller software module, which delays the shutdown of the running fan in the event of a radio communication failure between the controller and the central communication station on the Intranet. So that a short-term disruption of radio communication does not lead to a mass shutdown of the fans, the SHUV controller is programmed to delay the shutdown of the operating fan. The software of the controller that has lost connection with the CSS gives the command to turn off the fan not immediately upon the fact of a communication failure, but after a certain time interval. If communication is resumed during this interval, the fan runs for the entire time set for it. If communication is not resumed, then after a certain interval the fan is turned off by a control signal from the controller to the electromagnetic fan contactor.

A control file created by the software that prioritizes the operator's last action. For example, if an operator performs the actions to select the main mode and its settings for the system as a whole, and then performs the actions to select the main mode and its settings for the CCM, then the CCM will be controlled by the local mode and settings assigned to it, ignoring the mode and settings of the whole system. . At the same time, all other SWMs will be controlled by the mode and settings that have been selected for the system as a whole. If, after selecting the main mode and its settings for the SWM, the operator performs actions to select the main mode and its settings for the system as a whole, then the entire system will be controlled by this mode and its settings, and the modes of individual SWM will be ignored. A similar procedure is performed in other combinations of transition between system levels.

Control file created by the software for storing settings. For example, if earlier the operator performed actions to select the settings of mode No. 1 for the system as a whole, then performed actions to select the settings of mode No. 2 for the system as a whole, then when mode No. 1 is selected again, the service window will display the settings values that the operator has already asked earlier for this mode. At the discretion of the operator, these values may be changed or left unchanged. The algorithm ensures that the settings are saved at all levels (of the system as a whole, SHUV and fan), for all modes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

(clause 6) CREATING LINKS BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM SOFTWARE

The software of each controller in the SHUV contains information about the unique code assigned to this controller and the unique codes of the controller outputs through which commands are sent to individual actuators to turn on / off the fans controlled by this SHUV. Due to the presence of unique codes, the software binds each of the outputs of the controller that controls a separate fan to a radio module located in the zone of operation of its fan. Thus, it becomes possible to register and control the temperature of the embankment in the area of operation of each of the fans.

In mode No. 1, an algorithm is used to compare information files with plant material temperature data and information files with ambient air temperature data, which are collected and processed on the server by software, after which control files are generated (p.5.2). The control files are transferred from the server via the Internet to the DCS, located near the place of storage of plant materials. DSN is a connecting element between the Internet (connection with the server) and the local Intranet, built on a wired or wireless principle (based on file exchange over a radio channel) between devices (clause 3). A local wired or wireless Intranet connects the DSS, radio modules with temperature sensors, and the WCS via the wireless Intranet. After receiving the control file from the server, the CSS transmits it to the SHUV controller. The controller is connected to actuators that turn the fans on and off (item 2). Having received the control file, the controller converts it into a control signal for actuating devices, for example, electromagnetic contactors, turns the fans on or off.

The algorithm for exchanging control files between the server, SSS and SHUV, as well as the algorithm for generating information files reflecting the status and alarms of the fans, is the same for all modes.

(clause 7) DESCRIPTION OF MANAGEMENT LEVELS

The proposed invention includes control at three levels:

- The level of the system as a whole. The “system as a whole” level can include any number of SHVs and, accordingly, fans controlled by software;

- Level of the ventilation control cabinet (SHUV). The “SHUV” level can include any number of fans connected directly to this SHUV;

- Fan level.

At each level, the operator can set the ventilation modes and their settings. The division of the system into levels makes it possible to apply optimal modes and settings both for the entire embankment as a whole and for its individual sections. For example, for areas with elevated raw material temperatures.

(p.8) DESCRIPTION OF VENTILATION MODES AND THEIR SETTINGS

The present invention includes algorithms for three control modes:

- Mode No. 1;

- Mode No. 2;

- Mode number 3.

Embankment ventilation control modes are implemented with a set of five settings in different combinations:

1. The maximum allowed duration of the fan operation;

2. The minimum allowed idle time of the fan between switching on;

3. Turning on the fan upon reaching the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature;

4. The minimum allowed raw material temperature, upon reaching which the fan turns off;

5. The maximum permitted temperature difference between the raw material temperature and the air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is switched off.

When using the term "raw materials" is meant "a mound of vegetable raw materials".

Regardless of the control level, ventilation mode and settings, the operation of each fan with the help of software algorithms is individual, not group. The stop or start of one of the fans is not synchronized with the same actions of the other fans and is performed depending on the temperature of the raw material transmitted by the radio module located in the area of operation of this fan, which achieves individual control. Having the same settings, but different temperatures of the raw materials in the zone of their work, some fans can stand idle, while others work. Also, to desynchronize the start of the fans, the setting “alternate start of the fans” is used (p. 10).

A manual local mode can also be used, which is well known and is not the subject of the present invention. In this mode, the operator turns the fans on and off by directly acting on the switches located on the SHUV control panel.

(clause 8.1) DESCRIPTION OF ALGORITHMS FOR SELECTING THE VENTILATION MODE FOR THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, AN INDIVIDUAL SHUV AND AN INDIVIDUAL FAN

Acting through the software interface (Fig. 1), depending on the state of the plant material, the operator switches, selects the ventilation mode for the entire system as a whole, individual SHUV or individual fans.

For example, to switch to mode No. 1 of the entire system, acting through the software interface (Fig. 2), the operator moves the mouse cursor to the main menu item "Selecting the main mode of the system" and presses it (Fig. 5). In the drop-down window opposite mode No. 1, a mark is placed on the choice of the mode, after which the operator confirms his action in the pop-up service window. After confirmation, all fans in the system switch to mode #1.

After selecting the mode of the system as a whole, the section of the main menu of the software “Selecting the settings of the main mode of the system” automatically switches to the settings of the mode that was selected as the main one.

To switch to mode No. 2 of a separate SHV, acting through the software interface (Fig. 1), the operator moves the mouse cursor to the widget of the corresponding SHV (Fig. 3), in the drop-down menu selects "Select the main SHV mode" and presses it (Fig. 6 ). In the drop-down window opposite the required mode, a mark is placed on the choice of the mode, after which the operator confirms his action in the pop-up service window. After confirmation, all fans of this SHV switch to the corresponding mode.

After selecting the main mode of the SHV, the section of the drop-down menu "Selecting the settings of the main mode of the SHV" automatically switches to the settings of the mode that was selected as the main one.

To switch to mode No. 3 of a separate fan, acting through the software interface (Fig. 1), the operator moves the mouse cursor to the widget of the corresponding fan (Fig. 4), selects "Fan mode selection" in the drop-down menu and presses it (Fig. 7) . In the drop-down window opposite the required mode, a mark is placed on the choice of the mode, after which the operator confirms his action in the pop-up service window. After confirmation, this fan switches to the corresponding mode.

After selecting a fan mode, the "Select fan mode setpoints" drop-down menu section automatically switches to the settings of the mode that was selected.

The algorithm for selecting and confirming the main ventilation mode of the system, SHVV and a separate fan is the same for all three modes: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

(clause 8.2) DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION ALGORITHM OF MODE 1

Ventilation of the mound of plant materials (hereinafter mound) in mode No. 1 is carried out as follows. If in the fan operation area the bulk temperature rises by the set value exceeding the ambient air temperature, the software creates a control file to turn on the fan. By pumping air, the fan cools the embankment in the area of its work. When the bulk temperature drops below the setpoint for turning off the fan, the fan turns off. The temperature of the embankment is different in the zone of operation of different fans. Each actuating device for turning on the fan corresponds to one or more radio modules with temperature sensors. Due to the rejection of group activation of fans and the transition to individual control of each fan, power consumption is reduced.

The time of continuous operation of the fan is limited by the setting for the maximum allowed duration of operation. The fan idle time is determined by the setting for the minimum allowed idle time of the fan between activations. Thus, discreteness of the ventilation operation mode is achieved, which makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption, organize effective heat and mass transfer and avoid embankment hyperventilation.

The block diagram of the algorithm for implementing mode No. 1 is shown in (Fig. 13)

(clause 8.3) OPERATOR'S ACTION ALGORITHM TO SELECT THE SETTINGS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN MODE #1

The settings for mode No. 1 are set by the operator in the software interface at the level of the entire system as a whole (Fig. 8), an individual SHUV or an individual fan, including:

The setting is "maximum allowed fan operation time". For example, 2400 seconds or any other value.

Setting "minimum allowed idle time of the fan between activations" to avoid hyperventilation. For example, 3600 seconds or any other value.

Setting "turning on the fan when the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature is reached." Upon reaching the setpoint, the software generates a control file to turn on the ventilation. For example, +2°С or any other value.

The setting for the "minimum allowed temperature of the raw material, after which the fan turns off", so as not to overcool the raw material. For example, 0°C or any other value.

To select the settings of mode No. 1 of the entire system, acting through the software interface (Fig. 1), the operator moves the mouse cursor to the main menu item "Selecting the settings of the main mode of the system" and presses it (Fig. 8). In the drop-down box opposite each of the settings, the corresponding value is put down. Upon completion of setting the settings, a pop-up service window appears in which the operator confirms his choice. After confirmation, all fans of the system begin to operate in mode No. 1 according to the settings formed by the operator.

To select the settings of mode No. 1 of a separate SHV, acting through the software interface, the operator moves the mouse cursor to the widget of the corresponding SHV (Fig. 6), selects "Selecting the settings of the main SHV mode" in the drop-down menu and clicks it (Fig. 13). In the drop-down box opposite each of the settings, the corresponding value is put down. Upon completion of setting the settings, a pop-up service window appears in which the operator confirms his choice. After confirmation, all fans of this SHUV start working in mode No. 1 according to the settings formed by the operator.

To select the settings for mode No. 1 of a separate fan, acting through the software interface, the operator moves the mouse cursor to the widget of the corresponding fan (Fig. 7), selects "Select fan settings" in the drop-down menu and clicks it (Fig. 14). In the drop-down box opposite each of the settings, the corresponding value is put down. Upon completion of setting the settings, a pop-up service window appears in which the operator confirms his choice. After confirmation, this fan starts to operate in mode No. 1 according to the settings formed by the operator.

Acting through the software interface (Fig. 1), the operator (depending on the state of the plant material) switches the entire system, individual SHUV or individual fans to the desired mode. The algorithm for selecting the settings for the main ventilation mode of the system, SHVV and a separate fan is the same for all three modes: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. In this case, the composition of the settings of these three modes differs from each other.

(clause 8.4) DESCRIPTION AND SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES OF THE MODE 2 ALGORITHM

Unlike mode No. 1, which works for cooling, mode No. 2 is used to ventilate the embankment, when short-term switching off / on of the fan (fans) occurs in a given temperature range for the raw material and for the ambient air. Ventilation is performed to update the gas environment inside the embankment.

The block diagram of the algorithm for implementing mode No. 2 is shown in (Fig. 14)

(clause 8.5) OPERATOR'S ACTION ALGORITHM TO SELECT SETTINGS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN MODE #2

The settings for mode No. 2 are set by the operator in the software interface of the program at the level of the entire system as a whole, a separate SHUV or a separate fan (Fig. 9), including:

The settings for mode No. 2 of the system as a whole are set by the operator through the main menu of the program interface, including:

The setting is "maximum allowed fan operation time". For example, 900 seconds or any other value.

Setting for "minimum allowed idle time of the fan between activations". For example, 5400 seconds or any other value.

The setting is "the maximum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, after which the fan is switched off". For example, +3°С or any other value.

The setting for the "minimum allowed temperature of the raw material, after which the fan turns off", so as not to overcool the raw material. For example, +1.2°С or any other value.

Upon completion of setting the settings, a pop-up service window appears in which the operator confirms the choice of each new setting.

To switch to mode No. 2, the operator moves the mouse cursor to the corresponding widget on the interface and clicks it, after which he confirms his action in the pop-up service window

Acting through the software interface, the operator (depending on the state of the plant material) switches the entire system, individual SHUV or individual fans to mode No. 2.

After switching to mode No. 2, the fans (fan) start to work in a discrete mode, working out the set operating time and downtime. In order to save energy, discrete operation is more efficient than continuous operation. At the beginning of the fan operation, the heat transfer from the pile is higher than after several hours of continuous operation.

(clause 8.6) DESCRIPTION AND SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES OF THE MODE 3 ALGORITHM

Mode No. 3 is a mode of intensive cooling of the embankment, when ventilation operates continuously, without the use of discrete algorithms. At the same time, after the setpoints for the allowed temperatures of raw materials, ambient air and the ventilation time interval have been triggered, ventilation stops and subsequently does not automatically resume.

The block diagram of the algorithm for implementing mode No. 3 is shown in (Fig. 15)

(clause 8.7) OPERATOR'S ACTION ALGORITHM TO SELECT SETTINGS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN MODE #3

In mode No. 3, the operator sets the settings in the software interface (Fig. 10), including:

The setting is "maximum allowed fan operation time". For example, 18000 seconds or any other value.

The setting for the "minimum allowed temperature of the raw material, after which the fan turns off", so as not to overcool the raw material. For example, 0°C or any other value.

The setting is "the maximum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, after which the fan is switched off". For example, +3°С or any other value.

In this mode, the fans run continuously, so there is no downtime between fan activations.

Upon completion of setting the settings, a pop-up service window appears in which the operator confirms the choice of the setting

To switch to mode No. 3, the operator moves the mouse cursor to the corresponding widget on the interface and clicks it, after which he confirms his action in the pop-up service window.

Acting through the software interface, the operator (depending on the condition of the plant material) switches the entire system, individual SHUV or individual fans to mode No. 3.

(p.9) DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM FOR LIMITING THE ELECTRICAL POWER OF THE SYSTEM

To limit the electrical power of the ventilation system, the operator sets the maximum allowed number of simultaneously operating fans, both for the entire system as a whole (Fig. 11), and for each of the SHUV separately (Fig. 15). As a unit of measure for limiting electrical power, both pieces can be used if the number of fans is calculated, as well as kilowatts (hereinafter referred to as kW). The number of fans allowed for simultaneous operation can be any and is determined by the available electrical power. When using kW, their number is indicated equivalent to the electrical power of the permitted number of simultaneously operating fans. For example, with a single fan power of 11 kW, 30 fans are allowed to operate simultaneously in the entire system, which is equivalent to 330 kW (11 kW x 30 = 330 kW). When limiting the electrical power of a separate SHV, which controls, for example, eight fans, the operator limits the maximum allowed number of simultaneously operating fans, for example, to four fans or any other number.

(p. 10) DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM OF ALGORITHM START OF THE FANS

To avoid overloading the energy infrastructure and limit group starting currents, the operator sets some, for example, 10 seconds, the minimum allowed interval between turning on the fans for cases when, due to the achievement of the setpoint, the software simultaneously generated many control files to turn on a large number of fans (Fig. 12).

(item 11) DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM FOR THE DELAY TO SHUT OFF THE FANS WHEN THE COMMUNICATION IS BLOCKED

To prevent a short-term communication failure from leading to a mass shutdown of the fans, a software module is installed in the SHUV controllers to delay the shutdown of a running fan. The software module of the controller that has lost connection with the central control system issues a command to turn off the fan not immediately upon the fact of a communication failure, but after a certain time interval, for example, after 15 minutes. If communication is resumed during this interval, the fan runs for the entire time set for it. If communication is not resumed, then after the specified interval has elapsed, the fan is switched off by a control signal from the controller to the fan's electromagnetic contactor. The software modules of the controllers may be implemented as program code contained in a storage device.

(p.12) DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATOR'S LAST ACTION PRIORITY ALGORITHM

The essential difference of the proposed invention is the priority algorithm for the operator's last action to select the mode and its settings, both for the system as a whole, and for an individual SHV, and for an individual fan.

If the operator performs the actions to select the main mode and its settings for the system as a whole, and then performs the actions to select the main mode and its settings for the SWM, then the SWM will be controlled by the local mode and settings assigned to him, ignoring the mode and settings of the system as a whole . In this case, all other SHV systems will be controlled by the mode and settings that have been selected for the system as a whole.

If the operator performs actions to select the mode and its settings for an individual fan, then this fan will be controlled by the local mode assigned to it, and the main modes of both the system as a whole and the SHV to which this fan belongs will be ignored. In this case, all other fans controlled by this CB will be controlled by the mode and settings that were selected for the system as a whole or by the mode and settings of this CB if they were selected later than the mode and settings of the system as a whole. If, after selecting the mode and settings of an individual fan, the operator performs actions to select the mode and settings for the SHUV that controls this fan, then in accordance with the last action priority algorithm, all fans of this SHUV will be controlled by the mode and settings of the SHUV, and the modes of individual fans will be be ignored.

If, after selecting the main mode and its settings for the SWM or selecting the mode and its settings for an individual fan, the operator performs actions to select the main mode and its settings for the system as a whole, then in accordance with the last action priority algorithm, the entire system will be controlled by this mode and its settings, and the modes of individual SHUV and individual fans will be ignored. A similar procedure is performed in other combinations of transition between system levels.

(p.13) DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM FOR SAVING SETTINGS

A significant difference of the proposed invention is the algorithm for saving the mode settings when they are accessed again. If earlier the operator performed actions to select the settings of mode No. 1 for the system as a whole, then performed actions to select the settings of mode No. 2 for the system as a whole, then when mode No. 1 is selected again, the service window will display the values of the settings that the operator has already set earlier for mode number 1. At the discretion of the operator, these values may be changed or left unchanged.

This algorithm is the same for all three modes: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. This algorithm works at all three levels: the system as a whole, SHUV, fan.

The SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE of the proposed invention "method of controlling the ventilation of a plant raw material embankment" from analogs that use fans, fan control cabinets, actuators (electromagnetic contactors), temperature sensors, wired communication is that: they use transmitting radio modules with digital temperature sensors, central communications station, modem, controllers, radio transceiver antennas, server, software (clause 2), wired and wireless forms of communication for the exchange of information and control files between system elements (clause 3, clause 5); perform software binding of each of the outputs of the controller that controls a separate fan to a radio module with a digital temperature sensor located in the area of operation of this fan (p. 6); display in the software interface information about the status of the fan (on / off / failure) (p. 1); control the active ventilation of the embankment using software algorithms; control the active ventilation of the embankment at three different levels: the system as a whole, the ventilation control cabinet, the fan; use three different control modes, including: mode No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, with a set of five settings in different combinations (p. 8); set the mode settings at three different levels, such parameters as: “maximum allowed fan operation time”, “minimum allowed fan downtime between switching on”, “fan switching on when the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature is reached”, “minimum allowed temperature raw materials, upon reaching which the fan is turned off”, “the maximum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off”; operate through the software interface: limit the electrical power of the ventilation system as a whole by the setting "limiting the electrical power of the system" (p. 9), limit the electrical power of a separate ventilation control cabinet by the setting "limiting the electrical power of the ventilation control cabinet" (p. 9), limit the starting currents by setting the "alternate fan start-up” (p. 10), set the priority of the operator’s last action (p. 12), save the setting values when re-communicating to the mode at the appropriate level (p. 13); delay shutdown of operating fans in case of communication failure in case of communication failure between the SHUV controller and the central communication station by the software module of the SHUV cabinet controller for the time interval specified by the setting "fan shutdown delay in case of communication failure" (item 11), while the software modules of the controllers can be implemented in the form of a program code contained in a storage device; regardless of the control level, ventilation mode and settings, the operation of each fan with the help of software algorithms is individual, not group, except for the setting that does not allow simultaneous start of fans (p. 10).

The implementation of the proposed invention can be performed by various programming tools that allow the creation of program code based on the algorithms described in the proposed invention, such as KRUG-2000, ARIES, ENTEC, CASCADE, JavaScript, Python and others.

(clause 14) EXAMPLE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

During the harvest period, in October, during the mass harvesting of sugar beet, which is the raw material for sugar factories, the factories procure raw materials in order to continue working after the harvest is over. One of the storage methods is ventilated storage of sugar beets in piles. To do this, large mounds of sugar beet 6-7 meters high, 30-50 or 70-100 meters wide and more than a hundred meters long are laid on air pipes. Air ducts are connected to fans. When the fans are turned on, atmospheric air is forced into the inter-root space of the embankment. To ensure the safety of sugar beet, it is required that its temperature be in the range from 0°C to +2°C. In this case, the raw material entering the storage has a higher temperature. As a rule, +10°C and above. If the sugar beet is not cooled, then putrefactive processes develop in it. In October, fluctuations in ambient air temperature have a large amplitude, rising to + 20 ° C and above during the day, and dropping to minus values at night. Conditions for ventilation, when the ambient temperature drops below the temperature of the raw material, usually occur at night for a short period of several hours. During this period, ensure that all available fans are switched on. At the same time, the simultaneous switching on of a large number of fans is accompanied by very high starting currents, which can lead to an accident in the power supply system. Simultaneous shutdown of a large number of fans can also lead to a voltage drop and an increase in current strength on the operating fan motors, with subsequent damage to the motor windings and switching devices.

Continuous ventilation is detrimental to sugar beet, as it begins to lose moisture and beet mass. More sparing is discrete mode with alternation of short periods of switching on of fans with longer periods of downtime. After the warm air is displaced from the inter-root space and replaced by cold air, the process of heat and mass transfer occurs between the colder air of the inter-root space and the warmer sugar beet mound. At the end of the heat and mass transfer, the fans are turned on again to supply the next portion of fresh cold air into the embankment. Since ventilation occurs in a discrete mode and periods of switching on alternate with periods of downtime, it becomes possible, using a limited power limit, to turn on all available fans one by one. This achieves significant savings in energy infrastructure such as transformer substations and power cables. It becomes possible to use less powerful transformer substations and power cables with a smaller cross section.

Due to the heterogeneity of the raw materials entering the storage, individual sections of the sugar beet heaps may have a higher temperature, which may be associated with foci of decay. To limit the development of the process in such areas, it is necessary to apply a special ventilation mode, with an increased supply of cold air, up to continuous.

The present invention makes it possible to act on a material object - a mound of vegetable raw materials - by means of material means - fans. When the ambient temperature drops below the temperature of the raw material, the fans are turned on and the mound is cooled.

Based on the current weather and climate conditions and the state of the sugar beet mound, the operator selects one of the three ventilation modes of the proposed invention and sets the required setpoints. Also, the software will desynchronize the simultaneous switching on and off of the fans.

The implementation of a similar simplified ventilation control system with limited functionality is shown in the diagram (Fig. 16) and described on the site agroxolod.ru [site of the company AgroHolod. Electronic resource].

Software algorithms, control levels, modes, settings, software modules of the proposed invention make it possible to solve a set of tasks for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant material to ensure its safety.

The devices and their parts mentioned in the description are parts of a software and hardware complex, while the hardware of some devices may differ, partially coincide or completely coincide with parts of other devices.

The sequence of actions in the description of the method is illustrative, and in various embodiments of the proposed invention, this sequence may differ from that described, provided that the function performed and the result achieved are maintained.

The names of control levels, settings, algorithms and modes in the description of the method may differ, provided that the function performed and the result achieved are preserved.

Claims (6)

1. A method for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant materials, in which a material object in the form of a mound of plant materials such as sugar beet, potatoes, carrots, cereals, legumes and other agricultural crops is affected by an air flow, which is a material means created by fans that blow air in the embankment, while using fan control cabinets, actuators, temperature sensors; to control the operation of devices and their hardware, use software created using programming tools that allow the creation of program code; control ventilation by determining the temperature difference between the temperature of plant materials and the surrounding air, characterized in that they use: discrete ventilation modes, wired and wireless forms of communication, transmitting radio modules with digital temperature sensors, a central communication station, a modem, controllers, controller software modules, omnidirectional radio transmitting and receiving antennas, server, software; control fans using the server software, controllers and actuators located in the ventilation control cabinet, the signal from/to which is received from/at the central communication station, from where the signal is sent via modem to/from the server with the software; programmatically bind radio modules with digital temperature sensors to specific fans using unique codes of radio modules, controller and its outputs; collecting data from radio modules with digital temperature sensors of an omnidirectional transceiver radio antenna, from where the data is sent to the controller of the central communication station, then the data is sent via the modem to the server with software; control the active ventilation of the embankment using software at three different levels: the system as a whole, the ventilation control cabinet, the fan; three different control modes are used: mode #1, mode #2 and mode #3; with a set of five settings in different combinations; set the mode settings at three different levels: the system as a whole, the ventilation control cabinet, the fan; such parameters as: “maximum allowed fan operation time”, “minimum allowed fan downtime between switching on”, “fan switching on when the minimum allowed temperature difference between raw material temperature and air temperature”, “minimum permitted raw material temperature, upon reaching which the fan is switched off”, “maximum permitted temperature difference between the raw material temperature and air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is switched off”; operate through the software interface: limit the electrical power limit of the ventilation system as a whole by the setting “limiting the electrical power of the system”, limit the electrical power limit of an individual ventilation control cabinet by the setting “limiting the electrical power of the ventilation control cabinet”, limit group inrush currents due to the minimum allowed interval between turning on the fans by the setting “ alternate start of fans”, set by software the priority of the last action of the operator at all three levels: the system as a whole, the ventilation control cabinet, the fan, save the last values of the settings when they are accessed again, changing them if necessary; the controller’s software module delays the shutdown of the operating fans in case of communication failure between the controller of the ventilation control cabinet and the central communication station for a time interval specified by the “fan shutdown delay in case of communication failure” setting, until communication is resumed, or the fans of this cabinet are turned off if communication occurs after a specified time interval did not resume; mode No. 1 is used, the following settings are used in it: “maximum allowed duration of fan operation”, “minimum allowed idle time of the fan between switching on”, “turning on the fan when the minimum allowed temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature is reached”, “minimum allowed temperature of the raw material , upon reaching which the fan is switched off”; mode No. 2 is used to ventilate the embankment, when short-term switching off / on of the fan (fans) occurs in a given temperature range for raw materials and for ambient air, based on the settings “minimum allowed downtime of the fan between switching on”, “maximum allowed duration of the fan operation”, “the maximum permitted temperature difference between the temperature of the raw material and the air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is turned off”, “the minimum permitted temperature of the raw material, upon reaching which the fan is turned off”; for intensive ventilation of the embankment, mode No. 3 is used, when ventilation operates continuously, without the use of discrete algorithms, based on the settings “maximum allowed fan operation time”, “minimum allowed temperature of the raw material, upon reaching which the fan turns off”, “maximum allowed temperature difference between the temperature raw materials and air temperature, upon reaching which the fan is switched off”; at the same time, after the setpoints for the allowed temperatures of raw materials, ambient air and the ventilation time interval have been triggered, ventilation stops and subsequently does not automatically resume; regardless of the control level, ventilation mode and settings, using software algorithms, the operation of each fan is controlled individually: the stop or start of each of the fans is out of sync with the same actions of the other fans, which achieves individual control; switch control levels between ventilation modes and change settings through the software interface and pop-up dialog boxes; provide interaction between the elements of the system via wireless and wired communication through the exchange of information and control files between the elements of the system, which are formed in several sources: part of the information files is formed at specified time intervals from transmitting radio modules connected to sensors that measure the temperature of plant materials; part of the information files is sent to the controller of the central communication station from the ambient air temperature and humidity sensor at specified time intervals; some of the information files displaying the status of protective and actuating devices: cabinet control mode switches, circuit breakers, electromagnetic contactors, thermal relays are sent to the server from the ventilation control cabinet controllers; processing on the server using software information files received from the controller of the ventilation control cabinet, followed by displaying the fan status “on, running”, “off, not working”, “emergency” in the interface; using the software to create virtual information files instead of the radio module/radio modules, communication with which was broken for any reason, with the subsequent use of the created file/files to control the turning on and off of the corresponding fans; using the software create control files for turning on / off specific actuators both based on the settings set by the operator and on the direct command of the operator; using the software, control files are created for sequentially, with a time delay, activation of actuators to reduce group inrush currents and to prevent overloading of electrical networks when conditions arise for the simultaneous activation of several fans at once, the total electrical power of which exceeds the value specified by the corresponding setting. 2. The method for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant material according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchange of information and control files can be carried out via wired and wireless communications. 3. A method for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant material according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric power is limited at different control levels, creating conditions for turning on the fans one by one. 4. The method of controlling the ventilation of the plant material mound according to claim 1, characterized in that discrete ventilation modes are used with alternating short periods of switching on the fans with longer periods of downtime. 5. The method of controlling the ventilation of the plant material mound according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop or start of each of the fans is out of sync for a certain number of seconds with the same actions of the other fans. 6. The method for controlling the ventilation of a mound of plant material according to claim 1, characterized in that the software modules of the controllers can be implemented in the form of a program code contained in a memory device.

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