Ideas Unlimited develops data logging/analysis hardware/software for qualification of Bio-fuels for NIE-CREST, NIE, Mysore

(Dated: From about 2 months ago - June 2014)

Ideas Unlimited develops a Customized Real Time Data Logging and graphical analysis software for NIE-CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies situated at The National Institute of Engineering, Mananthawadi Road, Mysore). NIE-CREST has their own website detailing all their activities at this URL: http://www.niecrest.in/

About the System

The concept belongs to NIE-CREST, who are doing good research on bio-fuels and their qualification and grading. The necessary software and hardware for making such a system was developed by Ideas Unlimited, Mysore. This setup is used to test bio-fuels for oxidation for several tens of hour continuously and then grade the fuel under test.

The system consists of:

1. A Bio-fuel reactor at NIE-CREST - which contains the Bio-Fuel/Bio-Diesel to be graded in it, maintained at certain pressure at the time of commencement of test. 
2. A custom built hardware device by Ideas Unlimited, that logs data continuously from two sensors in the Bio-Fuel rector - A Temperature and Pressure Sensor.
3. Software on PC that does following:
1. Has a software driven control system that maintains temperature of the Bio-Fuel Reactor at a Set Point. 
2. Logs data acquired from the hardware in Excel or Text format.
3. Visually displays in real time the Temperature and Pressure Plots.
4. Any situation arising of excessive pressure or temperature the system shuts down and looks after safety as well. 
4. All parameters can be calibrated and controlled in this Hardware and Software System developed by Ideas Unlimited for NIE-CREST.

Pictures and notes

Completed Hardware Box (Right) next to the Top lid of the Bio-fuel reactor.

Inside View of the Hardware developed at Ideas Unlimited

Data Logging by software that interacts with the data acquisition and control hardware

Real Time Graphing in the software - Screen Shot 1:
(Red Line - Temperature, Blue Line Pressure)
Spikes indicate control system kicking in to maintain temperature at Set Point

Real Time Graphing in the software - Screen Shot 2:
(Red Line - Temperature, Blue Line Pressure)
After the first struggle the system has more or less narrowed in on set point to maintain temp.

Real Time Graphing in the software - Screen Shot 3:
(Red Line - Temperature, Blue Line Pressure)
Now stable set point achieved. Temperature control loop maintains set point at regular intervals.