Development of CAVLAB—A Control-Oriented MATLAB Based Simulator for an Underground Coal Gasification Process

The Cavity Simulation Model (CAVSIM) is a 3D, parameterisable simulator of the Underground Coal Gasification Process (UCG) that serves as benchmark for UCG prediction. Despite yielding accurate outputs, CAVSIM has some limitations, which chiefly include inadequate graphical capabilities to visualise cavity geometry and gas production, time-ineffectiveness in terms parametrisation, i.e., it involves editing, compiling multiple files checking errors, lack tools synthesise controller. Therefore, compensate these shortcomings, services third-party software, such MATLAB, must be procured. was integrated with MATLAB utilise its functionalities toolboxes System Identification, Neural Network, Optimization Toolbox etc. integration accomplished by designing C-mex files, furthermore, simulation results both environments exhibit same behaviour, demonstrating successful integration. Consequently, also acquired controllable structure, wherein parametrisation now single-click process; this demonstrated case study outlining implementation Predictive Control (MPC) on plant. Moreover, performance metrics, Mean Average Error (MAE) Root Square (RMSE) 0.13, 0.23 syngas heating value, 0.012, 0.02 flowrate quantitatively establishes efficacy CAVLAB MPC system. novelty work lies making software package open-source aim streamlining research aspects process.