Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fast starting and loading a combined cycle power system are described. In one example embodiment, the method includes loading the gas turbine at up to it's maximum rate, and loading the steam turbine at its maximum rate with excess steam bypassed to the condenser while maintaining the temperature of steam supplied to the steam turbine at a substantially constant temperature from initial steam admission into the steam turbine until all steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator is being admitted to the steam turbine while the gas turbine operates at up to maximum load.

Abstract: A method for controlling the level of a drum in a drum-type boiler includes adjusting a gain of a drum level PID (such as a Proportional Integral Derivative control) in accordance with a signal representative of a set of tuning constants, a signal representative of drum level, and a signal representative of a drum level setpoint. The method also includes utilizing a flow control PID to adjust a drum level control valve, wherein the flow control PID adjusts the drum level control valve in accordance with an output of the drum level PID, a signal representative of steam flow, and a signal representative of drum feedwater flow.

Abstract: Critical stress in a gas turbine can be estimated using one or more readily measurable temperatures in the gas turbine. First and second critical temperatures can be estimated based on the at least one measurable temperature using heat conduction and convection equations. Subsequently, the critical stress can be estimated in real time according to a stress model prediction based on the difference between the critical temperatures, and possibly the rotational speed of the turbine, and some parameter, such as air pressure, that is indicative of air flow around the turbine component. Operation of the gas turbine can thus be controlled using the estimated critical temperatures.

Abstract: Critical stress in a gas turbine can be estimated using one or more readily measurable temperatures in the gas turbine. First and second critical temperatures can be estimated based on the at least one measurable temperature using heat conduction and convection equations. Subsequently, the critical stress can be estimated in real time according to a stress model prediction based on the difference between the critical temperatures, and possibly the rotational speed of the turbine, and some parameter, such as air pressure, that is indicative of air flow around the turbine component. Operation of the gas turbine can thus be controlled using the estimated critical temperatures.