Design of a control system for a mobile torrefaction reactor

Abstract

In MIT's Tata Center, work is being done to develop a mobile torrefaction reactor that can be used to aid those in developing countries in need of alternative sources of energy. A vital component of the reactor is developing an appropriate control system for the necessary components. The previous method of control has proven time intensive, inaccurate, and overall inefficient. A new control method is needed to allow for effortless control of the torrefaction reactor both in the lab and on the field. The new controller would have to be compact, control multiple components simultaneously and be uncomplicated to use. The proposed solution is to utilize a microcontroller board to develop a singular interface that would provide ease of use and the ability to accurately control all of the components involved in the reactor. It would utilize a simple numeric keypad to receive inputs that would be used to control the components and a small lcd display to monitor the system. Despite not being able to build the final control system, the framework for it has been developed here and suggestions on moving forward are outlined.