Turbine Fuel Flow Control via Compressibility Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbine control systems fail to account for the compressibility of fuel, leading to inefficient and gradual adjustments in gas flow, which can result in losses of efficiency, potential loss of flame, and increased wear and tear on turbine components, especially during transient events like load rejection.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors and processors to monitor and model fuel flow parameters, including compressibility, allowing for aggressive adjustments to achieve target fuel flow levels by controlling valves, thereby addressing the compressibility of the fuel and optimizing fuel flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional control systems adjust valve positioning to control gas flow, then the valve positioning can be controlled, but the gas flow adjustment is gradual and delayed due to gas compressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by adjusting the valve positioning beyond the target position in advance, anticipating the delayed response caused by gas compressibility. This over-adjustment compensates for the transient period, allowing the gas flow to reach the desired level more quickly without waiting for natural compression/decompression to occur gradually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual gas flow parameters and comparing them with target values, then dynamically adjusting valve positioning accordingly. This closed-loop control enables real-time correction of flow deviations, maintaining turbine efficiency despite the compressibility-induced delays in flow response.
2Speed
If valve positioning is adjusted to reduce gas flow quickly during load rejection, then the response time is improved, but gradual changes cause loss of flame and increased wear on turbine components
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting valve positioning to account for the transient period caused by gas compressibility. During load rejection, the valve is positioned beyond the target closure point in advance, anticipating the delayed flow reduction, thereby achieving faster response while preventing flame loss by ensuring the flow reduction is sufficiently rapid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by dynamically modifying valve positioning based on real-time gas flow conditions and compressibility effects. Instead of linear adjustment, the control system varies the valve position parameter non-linearly to compensate for compressibility, enabling both rapid response and flame stability during transient events like load rejection.
3Device complexity
If conventional systems assume instantaneous gas flow adjustment, then the control system complexity is reduced, but the actual gas flow adjustment is gradual leading to efficiency losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by incorporating a predictive model of gas compressibility into the control algorithm. This allows the control system to anticipate flow delays and pre-adjust valve positioning accordingly, achieving rapid and accurate flow control without requiring complex additional hardware, thus maintaining simplicity while improving efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems (200) and methods (300) for controlling fuel flow to a turbine component are provided. One or more parameters associated with a fuel flow to a turbine component may be monitored. The fuel flow may be modeled based at least in part on the one or more monitored parameters. The fuel flow may be adjusted to a target flow based at least in part on the modeling of the fuel flow.