Plant Control Using Prediction Models and Dynamic Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for plants, such as power generation plants, lack an efficient method to determine the distribution of media like fuel and air across multiple devices, leading to inefficiencies in reducing NOx emissions and limiting the application range of constraint conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control device that uses a prediction model to calculate adjustment amounts for operation parameters of multiple equipment types, applying constraint conditions based on measurement values and operation conditions to optimize media distribution and reduce NOx emissions, while ensuring compatibility with existing control methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the limit value of the change width of the operation signal per unit time is used as the constraint condition, then the control stability is improved, but the application range of the constraint conditions becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the constraint condition from a fixed limit value of change width to a dynamically determined value based on measurement values and operation conditions. The constraint condition setting unit calculates the constraint condition as a function of current operation state, allowing the constraint to adapt to different operating scenarios while maintaining stability. This resolves the contradiction by making the constraint condition both stabilizing (through mathematical formulation) and adaptable (through dependency on operation conditions).
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the distribution of amounts of fuels and air to multiple burners and air ports is changed to reduce NOx emissions, then the environmental performance is improved, but the technique for efficiently determining the distribution has not been established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the prediction model derives expected NOx emissions based on proposed fuel and air distribution, compares this with target values, and uses the difference to adjust the distribution. The constraint condition setting unit continuously updates distribution constraints based on measured operation values, creating a closed-loop system that efficiently determines optimal distribution without requiring complex manual calculations or trial-and-error approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual or heuristic methods for determining media distribution with an automated computational system. The prediction model and constraint condition setting unit use mathematical relationships and measured data to automatically calculate optimal distribution, substituting mechanical trial-and-error or expert judgment with an automated information-processing system that efficiently handles the complexity of multi-burner coordination.
3Manufacturing precision
If the operation amounts of equipment are adjusted to achieve desired monitoring target values, then the control precision is improved, but the contradiction with existing control methods may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial adjustment to operation amounts rather than complete override of existing control. The operation amount calculating unit calculates adjustment amounts that modify existing control signals by specific increments, applying only the necessary correction to achieve target values while preserving the overall control strategy. This partial action approach maintains compatibility with existing control methods while improving precision through targeted adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device (70) of a plant which controls operation amounts of a plurality of types of equipment constituting the plant, the control device includes a prediction model deriving unit (71) that derives a prediction model from which a monitoring target value is output, an adjustment amount calculating unit (72) that calculates adjustment amounts of operation amounts in the case where the monitoring target value becomes a desired value and calculates differences between the operation amounts of existing control and the calculated operation amounts as first adjustment amounts, a constraint condition setting unit (73) that sets constraint conditions based on a measurement value and operation conditions of the plant 1, and an operation amount calculating unit (74) that calculates second adjustment amounts to which the constraint conditions are applied and calculates a plurality of the adjusted operation amounts based on each of the calculated second adjustment amounts.