Baghouse Performance Monitor Expert System

The Baghouse Performance Monitor Expert System (BPMES) provides operational feedback information and guides baghouse operators with information necessary to improve reliability and performance. Its key features are:

• Monitors baghouse equipment conditions in real time.
• Stores and displays baghouse operating data in numerical or graphical form.
• Alerts baghouse operators of pending/developing problems.
• Leads baghouse operators to the root cause of common baghouse problems.

The BPMES was developed by ETS under sponsorship from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) as a genuine baghouse operation and maintenance (O&M) tool. As a first-of-its-kind technology, it provides systematic monitoring/early warning/diagnosing for baghouses. Current users consider this tool cost-effective because it reduces O&M costs and saves production losses many times greater than its ownership cost. Ahead of its time, the Baghouse Performance Monitor Expert System is now also being proposed as a regulatory tool. This is based on its ability both to avoid preventable problems, and to reduce non-preventable problems, thereby improving reliability as well as reducing emissions.

Its customizable software enables users to easily access data files, prepare tables and graphic reports of past operations, and perform expert diagnosis. The BPMES is much more than just a parameter-monitoring/recording system. It adds intelligent value to the monitored data:

• Sets limits for two-stage alarm signals to identify pending problems.
• Creates fingerprint templates to uniquely diagnose other problems.
• Interprets ETS-patented individual bag-flow monitor data to diagnose additional problems.
• Combines design data with operating data to calculate performance indicators.
• Provides decision-tree logic to help novice operators diagnose common problems.
• Organizes a log of equipment- and bag-failure data to document maintenance.
• Compiles a journal of maintenance information to facilitate review and reporting.