MIMO Controller for Gaseous Fuel Engine Transient Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for gaseous fuel consuming engines, such as natural gas engines, face limitations in responding to transient events, leading to wide variations in speed and air-to-fuel ratio, which can result in instability and loss of power supply, especially in self-contained power generating systems like microgrids.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) controller that coordinates the throttle valve and trim valve to maintain speed and air-to-fuel ratio within a threshold deviation during transient events, and integrating an energy storage device to balance power demand by monitoring and adjusting the state of charge, thereby mitigating variations in speed and air-to-fuel ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional control system is used for the gaseous fuel consuming engine, then the system structure is simple, but the speed and air-to-fuel ratio vary widely during transient events, leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (speed control and air-to-fuel ratio control) into a single MIMO controller that processes multiple inputs (throttle valve position, trim valve position) and outputs (speed, air-to-fuel ratio) simultaneously. This integrated approach allows coordinated adjustment of both parameters during transient events, preventing instability while maintaining manageable system complexity through unified control logic.
2Reliability
If the throttle valve and trim valve are controlled independently, then the control system is easier to implement, but coordinated response to transient events is poor, causing large variations in operating parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The MIMO controller implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the actual speed and air-to-fuel ratio, comparing them against target values during transient events. Based on the deviations detected, the controller dynamically adjusts both the throttle valve and trim valve in a coordinated manner, ensuring that both parameters respond appropriately to load changes while maintaining their interdependence relationship.
3Productivity
If no energy storage device is integrated, then the system is simpler, but the engine cannot rapidly respond to load changes, causing power supply instability
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device (such as a battery or capacitor) is pre-integrated into the power generation system and charged during normal operating conditions. When transient load changes occur, the stored energy is immediately discharged or absorbed to compensate for the engine's slower response time, providing rapid power support while the MIMO controller coordinates valve adjustments. This preliminary preparation of energy reserves enables fast response without requiring the engine itself to accelerate instantly.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, the present disclosure may relate to a system including a gaseous fuel consuming engine operating at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and including a throttle valve controlling a speed of engine, and an engine controller coupled to the engine. The engine controller may be configured to obtain the speed of the engine and obtain the AFR of the engine. The engine controller may also be configured to, based on a transient event affecting the engine, coordinate modification of both the throttle valve to change the speed of the engine and trim valve to change the AFR of the engine to maintain at least one of the speed and the AFR of the engine within a threshold deviance.