Combined Cycle Plant Control for Steam Temperature and Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional combined cycle power plants face challenges in efficiently adjusting operations to match varying electricity demand while avoiding superheated steam and excessive emissions, often relying on sub-optimal configurations and manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A control system that dynamically adjusts the heat rate of a combined cycle power plant by monitoring and controlling gas turbine air flow and exhaust temperature, using a holistic approach to manage conflicting requirements and optimize operations, including the use of an attemperator to manage steam temperature and prevent superheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operation of the heat recovery system is adjusted to match varying electricity demand, then the adaptability of the power plant is improved, but the complexity of controlling conflicting requirements (avoiding superheated steam, preventing excessive emissions, maintaining exhaust temperature within limits) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent monitoring functions into a single integrated control system that simultaneously monitors gas turbine parameters (air flow rate, exhaust temperature) and heat recovery system parameters (steam temperature, water flow rate) and coordinates their adjustment to resolve conflicting requirements while matching electricity demand
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor operating parameters and automatically adjust the heat recovery system operations based on real-time conditions, ensuring steam temperature remains within limits while preventing superheating and controlling emissions during load variations
2Ease of operation
If traditional independent monitoring and adjustment of parameters is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of steam temperature control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges independent parameter monitoring into an integrated control system that coordinates gas turbine and heat recovery system parameters simultaneously, achieving precise steam temperature control while maintaining ease of operation through automated holistic management
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the turndown capability and efficiency of the power plant, allowing it to operate within regulatory limits and maintain optimal performance without manual intervention, improving both emissions control and power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an attemperator that dispenses a fluid at a spray rate determined by a loading condition of the combined cycle power plant
Implementation Method 2
a heat recovery steam generator configured to receive the exhaust gas and extract thermal energy from the exhaust gas to generate steam
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods described in this disclosure are directed to operating a combined cycle power plant (100). In certain embodiments, systems and methods can be provided for a combined cycle power plant (100) incorporating a control system (120) that uses a holistic approach to continuously and automatically adjust a heat rate of the combined cycle power plant (100) and achieve a desired efficiency. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, the control system (120) can be used to dynamically control various operations of the combined cycle power plant (100), including addressing of certain conflicting requirements such as avoiding generation of superheated steam in an attemperator (230) while concurrently maintaining exhaust emissions within allowable regulatory limits and maintaining exhaust gas temperatures within allowable material capability limits. The use of such a control system (120) allows for an increased turndown capability of the combined cycle power plant (100) along with an improvement in a combined cycle heat rate of the combined cycle power plant (100).