Piston Engine Power Plant Fast Reactivation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power plants with piston engines face challenges in quickly responding to changes in power demand due to the time-consuming process of stopping and restarting piston engines and generators, which is exacerbated by the integration of volatile power sources like wind and solar power.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a first controller to interrupt and reactivate the fuel supply of piston engines while keeping electric machines connected to the power grid, allowing them to operate as motors to quickly adjust power output, and a second controller to maintain synchronization with the grid voltage, enabling faster response times and utilization as a rotating reserve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If piston engines are stopped and restarted to respond to changes in power demand, then power production can be adjusted, but response time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by keeping piston engines running at reduced power output instead of stopping them completely. The control system maintains engines in a ready state with fuel supply interrupted but combustion continuing, allowing immediate power increase when needed without the time penalty of cold starts and synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operation between different states: full power generation, reduced power with interrupted fuel supply, and complete shutdown. The control system continuously monitors power demand and transitions engines between these states optimally, maintaining flexibility while minimizing response time
2Productivity
If generators are switched off and back to the electric conductor system, then power supply can be adjusted, but resynchronization time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent keeps generators connected to the electric conductor system even when fuel supply to piston engines is interrupted. By maintaining the electrical connection and synchronization status, the system eliminates the time-consuming resynchronization process that would otherwise be required when restarting power supply
3Loss of time
If electric machines operate as motors to rotate piston engines, then response time decreases, but mechanical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using electric motors to rotate piston engines only when absolutely necessary for rapid response, rather than continuously. The control system carefully manages this energy-consuming mode to be used selectively, balancing the increased energy consumption against the critical need for fast response time in certain operational scenarios
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 allows for significantly faster reactivation of power supply and reduces response times, making it advantageous for power grids with non-synchronized power production, such as those with solar and wind power, by maintaining synchronization and reducing mechanical energy consumption through optimized valve control and energy management.
Implementation Method 1
operate the electric machines as electric motors for rotating the piston engines with electric power received from the electric conductor system
Implementation Method 2
one or more piston engines for operating the electric machines as one or more generators; Each piston engine is typically an internal combustion reciprocating piston engine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An electric power plant comprises at least one electric machine (105) operable as a generator when rotated by a piston engine (108). The electric power plant comprises a control system (101) for interrupting the fuel supply of the piston engine in response to a need to interrupt power supply from the electric machine, and for reactivating the fuel supply in response to a need to reactivate the power supply. The control system is configured to keep the electric machine connected to voltage when the fuel supply of the piston engine is interrupted so as to operate the electric machine as an electric motor for rotating the piston engine. As the electric machine and the piston engine are rotating when the power supply from the electric machine is interrupted, the reactivation of the power supply can be fast.