Combustion Heating Efficiency Index Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating the heat rate in combustion heating processes face challenges due to noisy and non-repeatable input parameters, leading to difficulties in maintaining optimal operational practices and delaying corrective actions in automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that receives controllable input data from operators or computer control systems to determine controllable loss components and calculate an efficiency reference index, enhancing the resolution and real-time control of combustion heating processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing performance calculations use many parameters from boiler, turbine, and balance of power plant, then overall efficiency can be calculated, but the calculations become complex and difficult to implement in real-time automated systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the performance calculation into distinct controllable and non-controllable parameter groups. Controllable parameters (fuel input, air input, steam output, electrical output) are separated from non-controllable parameters (fuel composition, equipment condition, weather conditions). This segmentation allows the system to focus computational resources on parameters that can be actively optimized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining calculation accuracy for automated control applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates the controllable parameters from the complete set of performance parameters. By taking out only the parameters that can be controlled or altered by operators or control systems, the invention creates a simplified calculation model suitable for real-time automated optimization, eliminating the need to continuously monitor and process all possible plant parameters.
2Reliability
If manual inputs are required for efficiency calculations, then operator expertise can be incorporated, but the results become erroneous if inputs are not updated accurately and timely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the control system to automatically update and process controllable parameters without requiring manual operator intervention. The system autonomously monitors sensor data, updates performance calculations in real-time, and generates optimization recommendations, eliminating the time delays and errors associated with manual data entry while maintaining reliability through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors actual plant performance, compares it against target values, and automatically adjusts operational parameters. This closed-loop feedback ensures that calculations remain current and accurate, eliminating the need for manual updates and preventing erroneous results from stale data.
3Measurement precision
If non-controlled input parameters are included in heat rate calculations, then comprehensive performance assessment is achieved, but the calculations become less useful for real-time operational optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments performance parameters into controllable and non-controllable categories, allowing the system to maintain comprehensive performance assessment through both parameter types while focusing real-time optimization calculations solely on controllable parameters. This segmentation enables the system to provide complete performance context without compromising the speed and utility of real-time operational recommendations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining performance characteristics of a combustion heating process. The system uses input parameters that are controllable by an operator or control system to determine a set of controllable loss components. The controllable loss components may be summed to produce an efficiency index value.