Compressor Control Device for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling fuel gas compressors in systems with multiple gas turbines and compressors face inefficiencies when gas turbines are partially loaded or when compressors are abnormally stopped, and existing load assignment methods do not account for varying numbers of gas turbines and compressors.
Innovation Solution
A compressor control device that generates control signals based on the total load divided by the number of running compressors, using both feedforward and feedback control to adjust fuel gas supply, and includes a process for determining the number of running compressors and controlling the supply amount through flow rate regulation and recycle valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If each gas turbine and each compressor are associated in a one-to-one correspondence, then the control system is simple, but the compressor efficiency deteriorates when the gas turbine is operated in a partially loaded state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of multiple compressors by introducing a master compressor control device that coordinates multiple slave compressor control devices. This segmentation allows each compressor to be independently controlled based on its operational status and load requirements, thereby maintaining compressor efficiency in partially loaded states while keeping the overall control system manageable through a hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic load distribution where the master compressor control device dynamically determines the number of running compressors and adjusts the load assigned to each compressor based on real-time operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures that compressors operate at optimal efficiency points even when gas turbines are in partially loaded states, rather than being fixed in a one-to-one correspondence.
2Ease of operation
If each gas turbine and each compressor are associated in a one-to-one correspondence, then the control method is straightforward, but insufficient fuel gas is supplied when a plurality of compressors are abnormally stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The master compressor control device performs preliminary actions by proactively determining the number of running compressors and pre-calculating the appropriate load distribution before any compressor failure occurs. This allows the system to quickly reconfigure and redistribute the load to remaining operational compressors, ensuring continuous reliable fuel gas supply even when multiple compressors are abnormally stopped.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the master compressor control device receives operational status information from slave control devices and continuously adjusts the load distribution based on the actual number of running compressors. This feedback loop ensures that the system adapts to compressor failures and maintains reliable fuel gas supply by redistributing the total load among available compressors.
3Ease of operation
If the number of compressors is greater than the number of gas turbines, then load distribution is easier, but the control method cannot be applied when the number of gas turbines or compressors is not limited
Solution Approach 1:
The master compressor control device serves multiple functions: it determines the number of running compressors, calculates the total load, distributes the load to individual compressors, and coordinates with gas turbine control devices. This universal control mechanism can adapt to any configuration of gas turbines and compressors regardless of their relative numbers, making the control method versatile and applicable to various system configurations without requiring the number of compressors to exceed the number of gas turbines.
Data Source
AI summary
With regard to a load running system that comprises a plurality of compressors that compress a fuel gas and supply the compressed fuel gas to a load apparatus, this compressor control device comprises: a feedforward control signal generation unit that, on the basis of a value that is found by dividing the total load of the load apparatus by the number of running compressors, generates a first control signal that is for controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied by the compressors; and a control unit that, on the basis of the first control signal, controls the amount of fuel gas supplied by the compressors.