Thermal Power Plant Valve Control for Power Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal power plant control methods face limitations in increasing electrical power while maintaining thermodynamic balance, leading to inefficiencies and material stress.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adjusting the high pressure regulating valve and high pressure supply valve to increase power demand by decreasing the opening of the high pressure supply valve, while simultaneously increasing the opening of lower pressure regulating valves to utilize lower pressure turbines, thereby maintaining thermodynamic balance and increasing power reserve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the opening of the high pressure regulating valve is increased to increase electrical power, then the electrical power output increases, but the thermodynamic balance of the steam cycle is affected leading to inefficiency and material stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power outputVSAvoidthermodynamic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the steam supply control into two independent parts: high pressure steam supply (via high pressure regulating valve) and low pressure steam supply (via low pressure regulating valve). This allows selective activation of low pressure turbine to increase power without disrupting the thermodynamic balance of the high pressure steam cycle, thereby avoiding efficiency losses and material stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the opening of the high pressure regulating valve is increased to respond to power demand, then the electrical power output increases, but the additional power remains limited and causes setpoint monitoring problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower demand responseVSAvoidpower reserve flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic adaptability by enabling the system to switch between high pressure mode, low pressure mode, and combined mode based on power demand. The low pressure regulating valve can be activated independently or in conjunction with the high pressure valve, providing flexible power reserve management and avoiding setpoint monitoring problems associated with continuous high pressure valve operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If the opening of the high pressure supply valve is increased to supply more steam, then the steam availability increases, but the thermodynamic cycle becomes unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam supply quantityVSAvoidthermodynamic cycle balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a low pressure turbine as an intermediary component that can absorb excess steam without disrupting the high pressure thermodynamic cycle. By controlling the low pressure regulating valve, the system can divert steam to the low pressure turbine, maintaining thermodynamic balance while increasing overall steam utilization and power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach allows for more efficient response to power demands, reducing thermodynamic imbalances and enhancing operational flexibility and electrical network management.

Implementation Method 1

a high pressure regulating valve controlling the supply of steam to the high pressure turbine... The high pressure regulating valve makes it possible to modulate the quantity of steam entering the high pressure turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam expansion in turbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

the high pressure turbine... mechanically connected to an electrical generator... vary the electrical power produced by the rotation of the turbines coupled to the electric generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the supply of fluid to the high pressure storage tank coming from a high pressure steam generator being controlled by a high pressure supply valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2935806B1Method for controlling a thermal power plant using regulator valves
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
  • EP2935806B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for controlling a thermal power plant for producing electrical energy, which plant comprises at least one source of heat (5) for providing thermal energy to a working fluid circulation circuit (1), said circuit including at least: - a high pressure turbine (10) mechanically connected to an electric generator (6), - a high pressure regulator valve (11) controlling the supply of steam to said high pressure turbine (10) from a high pressure superheater (12) combined with a high pressure storage tank (13), the fluid supply to said high pressure storage tank (13), from a high pressure steam generator (15), being controlled by a high pressure feed valve (14), wherein, in response to a surplus electrical power requirement, - the opening of the high pressure regulator valve (11) is increased and - the opening of the high pressure feed valve (14) is reduced.