Automatic Combustion System Characterization via Dynamic Step Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion systems, such as gas turbines, face challenges in optimizing input-output relationships without risking system failure, as some input combinations can exceed safety boundary conditions, leading to instability or failure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computing device that automatically characterizes combustion systems by issuing inputs, determining if output variables exceed boundary conditions, and adjusting inputs with step changes to prevent failure, using sensors to measure dynamic and emission outputs and adjust fuel and air ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic characterization is performed by continuously testing input combinations, then the relationship between inputs and outputs is efficiently determined, but the risk of exceeding safety boundary conditions and causing system failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes safety boundary conditions for output variables before beginning automatic characterization. These boundaries define the maximum acceptable values for emissions and dynamic responses. The characterization algorithm is designed to operate within these pre-defined safe zones, preventing system failure before it can occur during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors output variables during characterization and compares them against safety boundary conditions. When an output approaches its boundary, the system automatically adjusts subsequent input selections to maintain safe operation. This closed-loop feedback ensures that characterization proceeds efficiently while never exceeding safety limits.
2Reliability
If manual characterization is performed with human intervention, then safety boundary conditions can be carefully monitored, but the testing time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs all characterization operations without human intervention. The computing device independently selects input combinations, issues commands to the combustion system, monitors outputs, determines whether boundaries are exceeded, and adjusts subsequent inputs accordingly. This automation eliminates the need for manual safety monitoring while reducing testing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual human operations with automated computing devices and algorithms. The characterization process that would traditionally require human operators to monitor safety boundaries and adjust inputs is entirely automated through software control, eliminating human labor while maintaining or improving safety monitoring capability.
3Speed
If large step changes are applied to inputs during characterization, then the characterization process is faster, but the likelihood of exceeding boundary conditions and causing failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the size of input step changes based on real-time system response and proximity to boundary conditions. When the system operates well within safe boundaries, larger step changes are permitted to accelerate characterization. When outputs approach their boundaries, the system automatically reduces step change magnitude to prevent exceeding safety limits, optimizing both speed and safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to a system including: a computing device in communication with a combustion system, wherein the computing device is configured to perform actions including: issuing an input to the combustion system; determining whether one of a dynamic output and an emission output corresponding to the input to the combustion system exceeds a first boundary condition; and adjusting the input to the combustion system by one of a first step change and a second step change; wherein the first step change corresponds to the dynamic output and the emission output not exceeding the first boundary condition, and the second step change corresponds to one of the dynamic output and the emission output exceeding the first boundary condition, the second step change being less than the first step change.