Combined Cycle Power Plant Transient Control via Reference Look-Up Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined-cycle power plants face power losses and unstable bypass operation conditions during configuration transitions, leading to steam leakage and performance decreases due to inefficient control systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a computing device to monitor transient events by comparing control system instructions with a reference look-up table containing correlation and historical data, providing instructions to modify operating conditions when changes are unintentional, and using empirical and physics-based models to coordinate gas and steam turbine operations and bypass operations for efficient transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control system transitions between different gas and steam turbine configurations to meet varying demand, then the power plant can adapt to different operating conditions, but power losses and unstable bypass operation occur during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by predicting transient events before they occur and pre-adjusting turbine valve positions and bypass operations. The system uses load forecasts and reference look-up tables to prepare control settings in advance, preventing power losses during configuration transitions rather than reacting after the problem occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts turbine control valve positions and bypass operations in real-time during transient events. The system continuously monitors operating conditions and modifies control parameters adaptively, transitioning from static configuration control to dynamic real-time optimization, thereby reducing power losses during transitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control system transitions between different gas and steam turbine configurations, then the power plant can meet varying demand, but unstable bypass operation conditions cause steam leakage and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring bypass operation conditions and comparing actual performance against reference values from look-up tables. When deviations are detected during transient events, the system automatically adjusts control valve positions to stabilize bypass operations and eliminate steam leakage, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability during configuration transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses reference look-up tables containing pre-calculated optimal control settings for various transient scenarios. Before executing a configuration transition, the system retrieves predetermined control parameters that have been optimized to maintain bypass stability, preventing steam leakage issues rather than correcting them after occurrence.
3Device complexity
If traditional control systems are used during transient events, then the system structure remains simple, but power losses and unstable operations occur due to inefficient control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-service by automatically detecting transient events, predicting their impact, and adjusting control parameters without external intervention. The system uses embedded algorithms and reference look-up tables to autonomously optimize turbine valve positions and bypass operations during configuration transitions, reducing power losses through self-correcting control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operating parameters dynamically during transient events by adjusting turbine control valve positions and bypass flow rates based on real-time conditions. The system retrieves optimized parameter sets from reference look-up tables and implements them automatically, transforming from fixed-parameter control to adaptive parameter optimization, thereby reducing power losses without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to monitor a combined-cycle (CC) power plant during a transient event by performing actions including: determining whether a change in an operating condition of a component of the CC power plant is unintentional, the determining including comparing control system instructions for the component of the CC power plant with a reference look-up table, the reference look-up table including correlation data for the control system instructions for the component and historical data about the operating condition of the component; and providing instructions to a control system of the CC power plant to modify the operating condition in the CC power plant in response to determining that the change in operating condition of the component is unintentional.