Modeling and simulation of heat production in a local heating installation including a batch-fired straw boiler with a buffer tank

The paper presents the problem of modeling and simulation of thermal energy generation in a batch-fired straw boiler combined with a buffer tank. The batch-fired straw boiler in concern have a combustion chamber and a water jacket. During the combustion process, the combustion chamber heats up and from it the water jacket. Within the boiler, water circulates between the water jacket and the buffer tank. The author proposes a thermal model of the heating installation and a method of identifying the parameters of this model. This model has been simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment and presented as an electric analogue. The model of the system has been validated, which means that system parameters have been identified. This identification was based on the results of measurements of the straw combustion processes which were conducted using a laboratory installation. Finally, a model consistent with actual experiments was obtained. The presented model allows for the observation of changes in heating power consumption variations occurring during the straw feed combustion, which depend on the operating parameters of the system. The results of the model can be applied in the optimization of the configuration of the installation.