Power Plant State Estimation for Reliable Control Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of measurement values in power generation plants is compromised due to errors and delays in measurement instruments, which can lead to inadequate adjustment of control parameters, particularly when using methods that rely on the difference between predicted and measured values.

Innovation Solution

An operation management device that acquires and updates estimation values of operation states using measurement values from reliable and unreliable sources, allowing for effective management and adjustment of control parameters to maintain optimal plant operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If measurement values from measurement instruments are used directly to adjust control parameters, then the adjustment process is simple, but the reliability of control parameter adjustment deteriorates due to measurement errors and delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of control parameter adjustmentVSAvoidreliability of control parameter adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a state estimation unit as an intermediary between the measurement unit and the control parameter adjustment. This unit uses a mathematical model to estimate the true state of the facility by filtering out measurement errors and delays, thereby providing reliable state information for control parameter adjustment without directly using problematic measurement values

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the state estimation unit continuously compares measurement values with model predictions, calculates estimation errors, and updates the state estimates accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that control parameters are adjusted based on accurate, real-time estimates rather than unreliable raw measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mathematical model is automatically adjusted using the difference between predicted and measured values, then the model adapts to facility changes, but the accuracy deteriorates when measurement values have low reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of mathematical modelVSAvoidaccuracy of model adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The state estimation unit acts as an intermediary that processes both measurement values and model predictions through a filtering mechanism. It calculates the difference between measured and estimated values but weights this difference appropriately, preventing unreliable measurements from causing excessive model adjustments while still allowing the model to adapt to genuine facility changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using only the reliable portion of measurement information for model adjustment. The state estimation unit selectively incorporates measurement data based on its reliability assessment, making partial adjustments to the model rather than full adjustments based on all measurement differences, thereby maintaining accuracy while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If measurement instruments are used to monitor facility operation, then the monitoring system is simple, but the reliability of operation state information deteriorates due to measurement errors and delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of monitoring systemVSAvoidreliability of operation state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement system with a state estimation system. Instead of relying solely on measurement instruments, it combines their output with a mathematical model of the facility to produce enhanced state estimates. This merging maintains the simplicity of the original monitoring system while adding the reliability of model-based estimation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The state estimation unit serves as an intermediary processing layer that receives raw measurement data and transforms it into reliable operation state information. It filters out measurement errors and delays while preserving the essential operational information, thereby maintaining system simplicity while improving information reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11525412B2Operation management device, power generation plant, and operation management method for power generation plant

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

An operation management device includes a state acquiring unit that acquires a measurement value of a first state amount indicating an operation state of a power generation plant, a state updating unit that updates an estimation value of a second state amount, which indicates the operation state of the power generation plant and is a state amount different from the first state amount, based on the measurement value of the first state amount, and a managing unit that manages the operation state of the power generation plant based on the estimation value of the second state amount.