Method for operating a power generating device having a charged air compressor, control device for carrying out such a method and power generating device having such

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a power generation device (1) having a charge air compressor (7), in which-a charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor (7) is detected and a test is carried out with respect to a pressure drop, in which-at least one further operating parameter of the power generation device (1) that is dependent on the charge air pressure is detected, wherein-at least one further operating parameter is evaluated with respect to the plausibility of a pumping event, which is a cause of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure, and detecting a pumping event of the charge air compressor (7) if the detected decrease in the charge air pressure is detected and the pumping event as a cause of the pressure decrease in the charge air pressure is assessed as trustworthy on the basis of the assessment of the at least one further operating parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a power generation system having a charge air compressor, a control device for carrying out such a method, and a power generation system having such a control device. Background Art

[0002] During the operation of a supercharged air compressor, various influences may lead to a stall at the compressor wheel blades, which is also referred to as compressor pumping (Verdichterpumpen) or simply pumping. This leads to critical conditions for power generation devices with a supercharged air compressor, such as disturbances in the charge air pressure, noise generation, heating of the boost path, and possibly even to flame formation in critical components, such as, for example, an air filter. In addition, the compressor wheel and the structures surrounding it, such as fixed guide vanes, are also severely affected in the case of pumping, which shortens the life of the supercharged air compressor. This may even damage the compressor wheel, which may lead to further problems and particularly great dangers for people who are in the surrounding environment. Since the occurrence of compressor pumping can hardly be generally ruled out, it is increasingly important to be able to reliably detect such a state. However, this has proven to be difficult, with the disadvantage that not only is it not possible to detect an actual pumping event (false negative result), but also a pumping event is erroneously inferred when no compressor pumping occurs (false positive result). In the first case, the charge air compressor is affected and the problems already described occur, and in the second case it is possible that the power generating system will operate poorly due to an erroneous detection of compressor overfilling, which negatively affects efficiency and possibly emissions. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for operating a power generation system having a booster air compressor, a control device for carrying out such a method, and a power generation system having such a control device, wherein the mentioned disadvantages are at least reduced, preferably avoided.

[0004] This object is achieved by providing the technical teaching, in particular the teaching of the preferred embodiments disclosed in the independent claims and the dependent claims and in the description.

[0005] The object is achieved in particular by implementing a method for operating a power generation device having a charge air compressor. In particular, the charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor is continuously detected and checked for a pressure drop. In addition, at least one further operating parameter of the power generation device that is related to the charge air pressure is detected in particular continuously. In particular, the at least one further operating parameter is continuously evaluated for the plausibility of a pumping event as a cause of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure, and a pumping event of the charge air compressor is detected if a detected drop in charge air pressure is detected and the pumping event as a cause of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is evaluated as plausible, i.e., recognized as a plausible cause of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure, based on the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter. Advantageously, compressor pumping can be detected very reliably in this way, so that the number of both false positive and false negative results can be at least reduced, wherein erroneous results and event correlations are preferably completely avoided. In this regard, it is known that a pressure drop in the charge air pressure itself is at least not always a sufficient criterion for a reliable diagnosis of compressor pumping. However, by additionally detecting and evaluating at least one further operating parameter which is correlated with the charge air pressure, the reliability of the identification can be significantly increased. This in turn allows targeted implementation of suitable measures in order to at least reduce the adverse effects of pumping events.

[0006] In one specific embodiment, the charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor is continuously detected during operation of the power generating plant and checked for a pressure drop.

[0007] In one specific embodiment, it is possible for the detection of a pressure drop to lead to or trigger further method steps, wherein in this specific embodiment, in particular at least one further operating parameter is detected and evaluated only if a pressure drop of the charge air pressure is previously determined.

[0008] In other embodiments, at least one further operating parameter is also continuously detected and in particular continuously evaluated. Independently of whether a pressure drop is detected, the at least one further operating parameter is then detected and in particular also evaluated. To infer a pumping event, however, the condition of the pressure drop on the one hand and the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter on the other hand are taken into account together, in particular they are linked to one another by a logical "AND".

[0009] In one specific embodiment, a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is detected if the second time derivative of the charge air pressure falls below a predetermined negative derivative limit value. This represents a particularly reliable criterion for detecting a pressure drop that is relevant in particular in connection with a pumping event.

[0010] In particular, a pumping event of the charge air compressor is always, ie each time, detected if a drop in the detected charge air pressure is detected and an evaluation of at least one further operating parameter additionally identifies the pumping event as a plausible cause for the pressure drop in the charge air pressure.

[0011] In one specific embodiment, a pumping event as a cause of the pressure drop is assessed as plausible based on the evaluation of at least one further operating parameter if no other cause of the pressure drop for the charge air pressure is determined by the evaluation. In particular, in this embodiment, a pumping event of the charge air compressor is detected if a drop in the detected charge air pressure is detected and the evaluation of at least one further operating parameter returns no other cause of the pressure drop for the charge air pressure. The detection is then performed in particular by excluding other possible causes.

[0012] As an alternative or in addition, a pumping event as a cause for the pressure drop is assessed as plausible based on the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter if the evaluation determines at least one specific time profile or a specific property of at least one further operating parameter, wherein the specific time profile or the specific property of the at least one further operating parameter in particular infers a pumping event or characterizes a pumping event. In this case, the pumping event is in particular positively confirmed.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, provision is made for determining a characteristic parameter which indicates how many pumping events are detected within a predetermined time window, wherein at least one first measure is initiated if the determined characteristic parameter exceeds a predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value. This advantageously makes it possible to take measures in a targeted manner in order to be able to reduce the influence of pumping events which occur with a higher temporal frequency, in particular.

[0014] In particular, the characteristic parameter is detected continuously during the operation of the power generation device. In one embodiment, the characteristic parameter is detected for a predetermined time window, thereafter for a subsequent predetermined time window, etc., that is, in particular from time window to time window. In this case, the characteristic parameter is counted, in particular within the time window, and is reset, in particular to zero, at the end of the time window. In other embodiments, the characteristic parameter is determined as a smoothed value. In particular, it is feasible here to increase the characteristic parameter when a pumping event occurs, wherein the time at which the pumping event occurs is recorded, and wherein the characteristic parameter is reduced again in the time interval of the predetermined time window relative to the pumping event. In this design, the characteristic parameter indicates at each instantaneous time point the number of pumping events in the following time period, which time period extends from the instantaneous time point into the past by subtracting the predetermined time window.

[0015] In particular, during operation of the power generating plant, the determined characteristic variable is continuously compared with a predetermined first characteristic variable limit value. Thus, the first measure can be initiated in a targeted and rapid manner.

[0016] In particular, no measures are initiated if the determined characteristic variable does not exceed a predetermined first characteristic variable limit value.

[0017] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that at least one second measure is initiated if the determined characteristic parameter exceeds a predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value, wherein the predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value is greater than the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value. It is thus possible to distinguish in an advantageous manner different degrees of severity of the occurrence of pumping events, wherein depending on how often pumping events occur, different measures, in particular different drastic or severe measures, can be taken in order to mitigate or avoid negative consequences of compressor pumping, depending on the possibilities.

[0018] In particular, during operation of the power generating plant, the determined characteristic variable is continuously compared with a predetermined second characteristic variable limit value. As a result, the second measure can be initiated in a targeted and rapid manner.

[0019] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that a check is made as to whether the power generating device is operated within a predetermined operating range, wherein, in particular in addition to the other mentioned criteria, a pumping event is only detected if the power generating device is operated within the predetermined operating range. Advantageously, resources, in particular computing power, can thereby be saved in particular by not detecting a pumping event if the power generating device is operated outside the predetermined operating range and therefore in particular in an operating range in which compressor pumping cannot occur or is at least unlikely. At the same time, the accuracy of the detection is thereby also increased by explicitly excluding such an operating range from the detection of a pumping event.

[0020] In particular, if the power generating equipment is not operating within a predetermined operating range, a pumping event is not identified.

[0021] In particular, a predetermined operating range is defined in the characteristic range, in particular as a predetermined characteristic range region. The characteristic range is particularly developed by the rotational speed and torque of the power generating system. Alternatively, the characteristic range is developed by the voltage and current of the power generating system.

[0022] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that a check is performed to determine whether a transient operating state exists for the power generating device, wherein, in particular in addition to the other mentioned criteria, a pumping event is only detected if a transient operating state does not exist for the power generating device. The concept is based on the fact that compressor pumping cannot be reliably detected in the transient operating range, in particular in the case of power reduction or load reduction. By excluding transient operating states from the detection of pumping events, the accuracy of the detection is advantageously further increased.

[0023] In particular, if there is a transient operation for the power generating equipment, a pumping event is not identified.

[0024] According to a development of the invention, it is provided that at least one first measure is selected from the group consisting of a first alarm, a change in a flow cross section of a compressor bypass path around the charge air compressor and a change in a flow cross section of a charge path in which the charge air compressor is arranged.

[0025] In the context of the present technical teaching, a "first alarm" is understood to be a particularly less urgent first warning, particularly a yellow alarm, particularly a request for inspection to the operator of the power generation system. The first warning can be output acoustically, visually, haptically or in any other suitable manner and in a combination of the aforementioned manners.

[0026] The flow cross section in the compressor bypass is changed in particular by changing a flap position or a valve position of a bypass path regulating device in the compressor bypass. The compressor bypass is in particular a compressor bypass. In the compressor bypass, a bypass path regulating device, in particular a bypass valve or a bypass flap, is arranged in particular, by means of which the flow cross section of the compressor bypass can be changed.

[0027] The flow cross section in the boost path is changed in particular by changing a flap position or a valve position of a boost path regulating device in the boost path. The boost path is in particular an air path or a charge air path of a power generation device, in which a charge air compressor is arranged. In particular, a boost path regulating device, in particular a throttle valve or a throttle flap, is arranged in the boost path, by means of which the flow cross section of the boost path can be changed.

[0028] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that at least one second measure is selected from the group consisting of a second alarm and a shutdown of the power generating plant. The measures to be taken can thus advantageously be escalated depending on the frequency of the occurrence of pumping events, wherein a higher escalation level, in particular a shutdown of the power generating plant, is implemented only when pumping events occur with a predetermined, higher frequency.

[0029] In the context of the present technical teaching, a "second alarm" is understood to be a second, especially more urgent warning to the operator of the power generation system, especially a request to take measures, especially a red alarm. The second warning can be output acoustically, visually, tactilely or in any other suitable manner and in a combination of the aforementioned manners.

[0030] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger of a power generating system is operated as a charge air compressor, wherein an operating parameter which is particularly positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow of the power generating system is used as at least one further operating parameter. In addition to the pressure drop in the charging path, the exhaust gas mass flow through the turbine which is operatively connected to the charge air compressor is a particularly suitable criterion in order to be able to specifically identify compressor suction. This is advantageously exploited by evaluating an operating parameter which is particularly positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow.

[0031] In particular, an operating parameter is used as at least one further operating parameter, which is functionally linked to the exhaust gas mass flow of the power generation system, either such that the exhaust gas mass flow is dependent on the operating parameter or such that the operating parameter is dependent on the exhaust gas mass flow. In one embodiment, an operating parameter is used as at least one further operating parameter, the value of which increases if the exhaust gas mass flow increases and the value of which decreases if the exhaust gas mass flow decreases. In particular, the value of the operating parameter remains unchanged if the exhaust gas mass flow remains unchanged.

[0032] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that, in particular if the power generating device is designed as an internal combustion engine, the torque of the power generating device is detected as at least one further operating parameter. The torque of the power generating device represents a particularly suitable further operating parameter in order to be able to detect the presence of compressor suction. In particular, the torque is particularly positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow through the turbine of the exhaust gas turbocharger. In one embodiment, the torque is measured at the power generating device. In other embodiments, the torque is calculated, in particular in a control device, in particular from operating data of the power generating device. In particular, the torque can be calculated based on injection data of the power generating device, in particular the fuel pressure and the opening duration of the injector.

[0033] Alternatively, it is possible, in particular if the power generating device is designed as a fuel cell, to detect the power outputted by the power generating device and / or the current outputted by the power generating device as at least one further operating parameter. In this case, the outputted power or the outputted current is in particular positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow of the fuel cell.

[0034] In particular, it is checked whether at least one further operating parameter, in particular torque, output power or output current, has dropped. In particular, a pumping event as a cause of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is assessed as plausible based on the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter if it is determined that the at least one further operating parameter has not dropped. In particular, in this case there is no power or torque disturbance, which would otherwise be interpreted as a pressure drop in the charge air pressure even in the absence of a pumping event. Therefore, in particular, there are no other causes for the pressure drop besides the pumping event, so that a pumping event can be inferred with high reliability.

[0035] In addition or as an alternative, it is checked whether at least one further operating parameter, in particular the torque, the output power or the output current, has increased. In this case, in addition to the pumping event, other causes for the pressure drop can be excluded with near certainty in the case of an increase in at least one further operating parameter. In particular, in such a case, an increase in the charge air pressure would have been expected in the absence of compressor pumping. If the charge air pressure therefore drops in such a case, a pumping event is present with near certainty.

[0036] In one embodiment, the evaluation of at least one further operating parameter is implicitly included in the check with regard to the transient operation. This means in particular that if no transient operation is determined, a pumping event is assessed as plausible as a cause for the pressure drop. If, on the other hand, a transient operation is determined for the power generating system, it is assumed that no pumping event exists, since the transient operation is considered as a cause for the pressure drop.

[0037] The object is also achieved by providing a control device for a power generation system which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention or according to one or more of the embodiments described above. In conjunction with the control device, the advantages already explained above in conjunction with the method are achieved in particular.

[0038] The object is also achieved in that a power generation device is provided which has a charging path in which a charge air compressor is arranged. The power generation device also has a control device according to the invention or a control device according to one or more of the embodiments described above. In conjunction with the power generation device, the advantages already explained above in conjunction with the method or the control device are obtained in particular.

[0039] The control device is in particular operatively connected to a charge air pressure sensor which is arranged in the charge path downstream of the charge air compressor.

[0040] In particular, the control device is configured to detect and evaluate at least one further operating parameter. In one embodiment, the control device is operatively connected to at least one operating parameter sensor for this purpose in order to detect at least one further operating parameter. As an alternative or in addition, the control device is configured to calculate at least one further operating parameter.

[0041] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the charge air compressor is drivingly connected to a turbine arranged in the exhaust gas path of the power generating system. In particular, the charge air compressor is designed as a compressor of an exhaust gas turbocharger of the power generating system.

[0042] According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the power generating device is designed as an internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the power generating device is designed as a fuel cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a power generating device having an embodiment of a control device;

[0045] Figure 2 shows the method for running according to Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of an embodiment of a method of a power generation device, and

[0046] Figure 3 A second schematic diagram shows an embodiment of the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a power generation plant 1 with an exemplary embodiment of a control device 3 is shown.

[0048] The power generating device 1 has a charging path 5 in which a charge air compressor 7 is arranged. The charge air compressor 7 is in particular part of an exhaust gas turbocharger 9 of the power generating device 1 and is drivingly connected to a turbine 13 arranged in the exhaust gas path 11 of the power generating device 1 .

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the power generating device 1 is designed in particular as an internal combustion engine and has a motor cylinder 15. In other exemplary embodiments (not shown), it is possible for the power generating device 1 to be designed as a fuel cell.

[0050] The control device 3 is in particular operatively connected to a first charge air pressure sensor 17 arranged in the charge air path 5 downstream of the charge air compressor 7 in order to be able to detect the charge air pressure in the charge air path 5 downstream of the charge air compressor 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the control device 3 is additionally operatively connected to a second charge air pressure sensor 19 arranged in the charge air path 5 upstream of the charge air compressor 7 in order to also be able to detect the charge air pressure in the charge air path 5 upstream of the charge air compressor 7. This can advantageously contribute in particular to a higher accuracy or plausibility verification of the detection of a pressure drop in the charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor 7.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the control device 3 is also configured to detect and evaluate at least one further operating parameter of the power generating device 1, in particular of the internal combustion engine and very particularly of the motor block 15. For this purpose, the control device 3 is operatively connected to an operating parameter sensor 21. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible that the control device 3 is configured to calculate at least one further operating parameter, in particular as a function of the additional parameter detected at the power generating device 1 and in particular at the motor block 15.

[0052] As at least one further operating parameter, an operating parameter which is positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow in the exhaust gas path 11 of the power generating device 1 is preferably used. Preferably, as at least one further operating parameter, a torque of the power generating device 1 is detected, in particular measured or calculated, wherein in particular it is checked whether the torque is decreasing or increasing, and wherein, if no decrease in torque is determined or if an increase in torque is determined, a pumping event as the cause of a pressure drop for the charge air pressure is assessed as plausible.

[0053] In the embodiment shown here, the control device 3 is also configured to change the flow cross section in the compressor bypass path 23. For this purpose, the control device is in particular operatively connected to the bypass flap 25 in order to change the flap position of the bypass flap 25 as a bypass path adjustment device in the compressor bypass path 23.

[0054] As an alternative or in addition, in a manner not explicitly shown here, it is possible that the control device 3 is designed to change the flow cross section in the boost path 5, in particular by changing a flap position or a valve position of a boost path regulating device (not shown) in the boost path 5.

[0055] Control device 3 is designed, in particular, to carry out the method described below.

[0056] Figure 2 shows the method for running according to Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of an embodiment of a method for a power generation plant 1 is shown.

[0057] Identical elements and elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures, so that reference is made to the preceding description in each case in this regard.

[0058] In particular, the charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor 7 is detected by means of the first charge air pressure sensor 17 and checked for a pressure drop, wherein at least one further operating parameter of the power generation system that is correlated with the charge air pressure is detected, in particular by means of the operating parameter sensor 21. The at least one further operating parameter is evaluated with respect to the plausibility of a pumping event as a cause of the pressure drop for the charge air pressure, and a pumping event of the charge air compressor 7 is detected if a drop in the detected charge air pressure is detected and the pumping event as a cause of the pressure drop for the charge air pressure is evaluated as plausible based on the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve a very reliable detection of compressor pumping, so that the number of both false positive and false negative results can be at least reduced, wherein preferably an erroneous association of events can be completely avoided.

[0059] Combination Figure 2 In a), an embodiment of the method is explained below based on computing modules; the different computing modules do not necessarily have to be able to be divided into independent hardware components or software components from one another, and the illustration based on computing modules serves only to explain the functional mode of this embodiment of the method without limiting the generality. However, it is entirely conceivable to implement the method in which the different computing modules are designed, for example, as independent software functions.

[0060] In the first calculation module A, a check is continuously performed with respect to a pumping event of the charge air compressor 7. The first calculation module A continuously, in particular in a time-clocked manner, outputs a first variable a, which indicates whether a pumping event is instantaneously, in particular in an instantaneous time cycle, detected. If no pumping event is detected, the variable a can, for example, have the value "0", wherein if a pumping event is detected, the variable a can have the value "1".

[0061] In b), the check performed by the first computing module A with respect to the pumping event is shown in detail: In particular, in the computing module A it is checked whether the following conditions are met instantaneously, in particular in the instantaneous time cycle: a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is determined; there is no transient operating state; the torque gradient of the power generating device 1 over time is Greater than a predetermined torque gradient limit And the operation of the power generation system 1 is within a predetermined operating range. All of these conditions are linked to one another by a logical "AND" in the first calculation module A, so that only when each individual condition of the listed conditions is met, the first calculation module A recognizes a pumping event, for example, outputs a value of "1" for the variable a, wherein if at least one of the listed conditions is not met, the first calculation module A does not recognize a pumping event and outputs a value of "0" for the variable a.

[0062] In particular, a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is detected if the second time derivative of the charge air pressure falls below a predetermined negative derivative limit value.

[0063] In particular, a characteristic variable is determined which indicates how many pumping events are detected within a predetermined time window.

[0064] In particular, returning to the illustration in a), the pumping events are counted in the second calculation module B, wherein the second calculation module B outputs the value of the counter b as a second variable and as a characteristic parameter, wherein the counter b indicates the number of detected pumping events. In particular, the counter b is always incremented if the variable a indicates that a further pumping event has been detected, that is to say if the variable changes, for example, from the value "0" to the value "1".

[0065] In one embodiment, it is possible that the counter b is always reset by the second calculation module B after the expiration of a predetermined time window Δt, that is, in particular, is set to the value "0". In other embodiments, the second calculation module B assigns a time stamp to each pumping event and always decrements the value of the counter b after the expiration of a predetermined time window Δt, respectively calculated from the time stamp of each pumping event. The counter b thus indicates, to a certain extent, the smoothed time average value of the pumping events within the predetermined time window Δt at each time point.

[0066] In the third calculation module C, the counter b is compared on the one hand with a predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1 and on the other hand with a predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value b2. The predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value b2 is in particular greater than the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1. Depending on the result of the comparison, the third calculation module C outputs a third variable c. If the counter b is not greater than the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1, the third variable can have the value "0", for example, if the counter b is greater than the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1, but not greater than the predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value b2, the third variable can have the value "1", wherein if the counter b is greater than the predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value b2, the third variable value can have the value "2".

[0067] In the fourth calculation module D, different measures are initiated depending on the value of the third variable c. In particular, if the counter b exceeds a predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1, at least one first measure is initiated. Preferably, if the counter b exceeds a predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value b2, at least one second measure is initiated. In particular, if the counter b does not exceed the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value b1, no measure is initiated.

[0068] The at least one first measure is preferably selected from the group consisting of a first alarm, a change in the flow cross section of the compressor bypass path 23 and a change in the flow cross section of the charge path 5 .

[0069] The at least one second measure is preferably selected from the group consisting of a second alarm and a shutdown of the power generating installation 1 .

[0070] In particular, the first calculation module A, the second calculation module B, the third calculation module C and the fourth calculation module D do not operate successively but simultaneously, wherein these calculation modules change their respective internal states in particular depending on their respective calculations, in particular depending on the respective input variables.

[0071] Figure 3 A second schematic diagram shows an embodiment of the method.

[0072] In a first step S1 , a counter nP is initialized with the value zero, which counter indicates the number of detected pumping events as a characteristic parameter, while a time variable t is initialized with zero and a time measurement is started, with which the time variable t is counted.

[0073] In a second step S2, a check is performed with respect to the pumping event, wherein in particular the same check is performed which is combined with the Figure 2 , in particular in the first calculation module A explained in b). In particular, in the second step S2, it is checked whether the following conditions are met instantaneously, in particular in an instantaneous time cycle: a pressure drop in the charge air pressure is determined; there is no transient operating state; the torque gradient of the power generating device 1 over time is Greater than a predetermined torque gradient limit And the operation of the power generation system 1 is within a predetermined operating range. All of these conditions are linked to one another by a logical "AND" so that a pumping event is detected only when each individual condition of the listed conditions is met, wherein a pumping event is not detected if at least one of the listed conditions is not met.

[0074] In a third step S3, the result of the check from the second step S2 is checked: if a pumping event is detected, the method is continued in a fourth step S4, whereas if no pumping event is detected, a check is performed in a fifth step S5 as to whether the instantaneous value of the time variable t reaches or exceeds a predetermined time limit value t lim , where the predetermined time limit value t lim In particular, it corresponds to the time length of a predetermined time window Δt, calculated from the time t=0. If the instantaneous value of the time variable t reaches or exceeds a predetermined time limit value t lim , the method jumps back to the first step S1 , otherwise the method jumps back to the second step S2 and the check on the pumping event is performed again.

[0075] In a fourth step S4, the counter nP is incremented. Subsequently, in a sixth step S6, a check is performed to determine whether the instantaneous value of the time variable t has reached or exceeded a predetermined time limit value t lim If this is the case, the method jumps back to the first step S1 , otherwise the method is continued in a seventh step S7 .

[0076] In a seventh step S7, it is checked whether the counter nP has reached or exceeded a predetermined first pumping event limit value nP. lim1 , where the predetermined first pumping event limit value nP lim1 In particular, it is equal to the first characteristic parameter limit value b1. If the counter nP does not reach or exceed the predetermined first pumping event limit value nP lim1 , the method jumps back to the second step S2 and the check for pumping events is performed again. If, on the other hand, the counter nP reaches or exceeds the predetermined first pumping event limit value nP lim1 , then in an eighth step S8 it is checked whether the counter nP reaches or exceeds an additionally predetermined second pumping event limit value nP lim2 , where the predetermined second pumping event limit value nP lim2 In particular, it is equal to the second characteristic parameter limit value b2.

[0077] If the check in the eighth step S8 shows that the counter nP has not reached or exceeded the predetermined second pumping event limit value nP lim2 , at least one first measure is initiated in a ninth step S9, after which the method jumps back to the second step S2. If, on the other hand, the check in the eighth step S8 shows that the counter nP also reaches or exceeds the predetermined second pumping event limit value nP lim2 , then in a tenth step S10 at least one second measure is initiated, after which the method is preferably terminated, in particular if the power generating plant 1 is shut down on the basis of the second measure.

Claims

1. A method for operating a power generation system (1) having a charge air compressor (7), wherein: - detecting the charge air pressure downstream of the charge air compressor (7) and checking the pressure drop, wherein: - detecting at least one further operating parameter of the power generating plant (1) which is correlated with the charge air pressure, wherein: - evaluating the at least one further operating parameter with regard to the plausibility of a pumping event as the cause of a pressure drop for the charge air pressure, wherein: - a pumping event of the charge air compressor (7) is detected if a drop in the detected charge air pressure is detected and a pumping event as the cause of the pressure drop in the charge air pressure is assessed as plausible based on the evaluation of the at least one further operating parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: A characteristic parameter (b, nP) is determined, which indicates how many pumping events are detected within a predetermined time window (Δt), and wherein if the determined characteristic parameter (b, nP) exceeds a predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value (b1, nP lim1 ), then at least one first measure is introduced.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: If the determined characteristic parameter (b, nP) exceeds a predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value (b2, nP lim2 ), then at least one second measure is introduced, wherein the predetermined second characteristic parameter limit value (b2, nP lim2 ) is greater than the predetermined first characteristic parameter limit value (b1, nP lim1 ).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A check is performed to determine whether the power generating plant (1) is operated within a predetermined operating range, wherein a pumping event is detected only when the power generating plant (1) is operated within the predetermined operating range.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A check is performed to determine whether a transient operating state exists for the power generating plant (1), wherein a pumping event is detected only if a transient operating state does not exist for the power generating plant (1).

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one first measure is selected from the group consisting of: a first alarm, a change in the flow cross section of a compressor bypass path (23) around the boost air compressor (7) and a change in the flow cross section of a boost path (5) in which the boost air compressor (7) is arranged.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one second measure is selected from the group consisting of: a second alarm and a shutdown of the power generating plant (1).

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The charge air compressor (7) of the exhaust gas turbocharger (9) of the power generating device (1) is operated as the charge air compressor (7), and an operating parameter which is positively correlated with the exhaust gas mass flow of the power generating device (1) is used as the at least one further operating parameter.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The torque of the power generating device (1) is detected as the at least one further operating parameter, wherein in particular it is checked whether the torque drops, and wherein in particular a pumping event as the cause of a pressure drop for the charge air pressure is assessed as plausible if it is determined that the torque has not dropped. 10 . A control device ( 3 ) for a power generating plant ( 1 ), the control device being configured to carry out the method according to claim 1 .

11. A power generating plant (1) having a charge path in which a charge air compressor (7) is arranged, and having a control device (3) according to claim 10.

12. The power generation device (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The charge air compressor (7) is in driving connection with a turbine (13) which is arranged in the exhaust gas path (11) of the power generating plant (1).

13. A power generation plant (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein: The power generating plant (1) is designed as an internal combustion engine or as a fuel cell.

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