Abstract: Exemplary embodiments pertain to a system that can include a high-level controller coupled to a low-level controller for controlling a physical asset. In one exemplary implementation, the high-level controller executes a first finite state machine for controlling a power generation unit via a network. The low-level controller executes a second finite state machine that may have fewer states than the first finite state machine. The second finite state machine places the low-level controller in a default mode of operation for controlling the power generation unit under various conditions such as when the high-level controller is controlling the physical asset during a normal mode of operation; when the high-level controller is revising the first finite state machine; when the high-level controller is controlling the physical asset using a revised first finite state machine; and/or upon detecting a loss of communications between the high-level controller and the low-level controller.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure pertain to a system that includes a high-level controller coupled to a low-level controller in an arrangement that allows the high-level controller to cooperate with the low-level controller for controlling a power generation unit. The high-level controller generates supplementary signals and/or supplementary code that is provided to a surrogate controller. The surrogate controller uses the supplementary signals and/or supplementary code to generate control software that is provided to the low-level controller for controlling certain operational aspects of the power generation unit that cannot be independently controlled by the low-level controller.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present technique a method includes receiving at least one of a speed and an acceleration of a rotating component in a rotating machine. The method includes determining whether at least one of the speed and the acceleration of the rotating component exceeds a non-trip operating (NTO) space in a speed-acceleration plane, wherein the NTO space is based on a trip overshoot model. The method further includes sending a notification for tripping the rotating machine in response to determining that at least one of the speed and the acceleration of the rotating component exceeds the NTO space.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel supply system includes a fuel manifold, and a shutoff valve coupled in flow communication with the fuel manifold and positioned upstream from said fuel manifold. The shutoff valve is configured to actuate into a closed position when the gas turbine engine is operating at an overspeed condition. The system also includes a relief valve coupled in flow communication with the fuel manifold, wherein the relief valve is configured to release fuel from within the fuel manifold when the shutoff valve is in the closed position, and when a pressure within the fuel manifold is greater than a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A flutter control system for a turbine includes a processor. The processor is configured to detect blade flutter of a turbine. The blade flutter indicates that blades of the turbine are in a deflected position different from a nominal operating position. The processor is configured to control operational parameters of the turbine that reduce or eliminate the blade flutter to improve the reliability and efficiency of the turbine.

Abstract: A system includes a power generation system and a controller. The controller includes processors that receive a first set of inputs. The processors also generate a first set of modeled outputs system based on a model of the power generation system and the first set of inputs. The processors further receive a first set of measured outputs corresponding to the first set of modeled outputs. The processors determine a first correction factor based on the first set of modeled outputs and the first set of measured outputs. The first correction factor includes differences between the first set of modeled outputs and the first set of measured outputs. The processors also generate a second set of modeled outputs based on the model, a second set of inputs, and the first correction factor. The processors further control an operation of the power generation system based on the second set of modeled outputs.

Abstract: A system includes a power generation system and controllers that control operations of the power generation system. The controllers include processors that receive multiple values associated with operating parameters of the power generation system, and determine a degradation cost function that quantifies a degradation cost based on the values. The processors further receive an operation cost that includes a fixed financial cost of performing an operation on the power generation system, and determine an operation cost function that quantifies the operation cost. The processors further determine a total cost function of the power generation system based on the degradation cost function and the operation cost function, and determine times to perform the operation on the power generation system based on the total cost function. The processors further send an alert to perform the operation of the power generation system at the times.

Abstract: A method includes determining, via a processor, a commanded temperature rate for a component of a steam turbine system. The method further includes determining, via the processor, a measured temperature rate for the component of the steam turbine system. The method additionally includes determining, via the processor, a variable multiplier based at least in part on the commanded temperature rate and the measured temperature rate. The method also includes deriving, via the processor, a multiplied temperature rate command by applying the variable multiplier to the commanded temperature rate.

Abstract: A method includes determining, via a processor, a commanded fluid flow rate of a fluid entering or exiting the drum of an industrial system, wherein the commanded fluid flow rate comprises a rate of fluid entering the drum of the industrial system, exiting the drum of the industrial system, or a combination thereof. The method additionally includes determining, via the processor, a measured flow rate of the fluid. The method further includes determining, via the processor, a variable multiplier based at least in part on the commanded fluid flow rate and the measured flow rate; and deriving, via the processor, a multiplied flow rate command for the industrial system by applying the variable multiplier to the commanded fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to monitor a combined-cycle (CC) power plant during a transient event by performing actions including: determining whether a change in an operating condition of a component of the CC power plant is unintentional, the determining including comparing control system instructions for the component of the CC power plant with a reference look-up table, the reference look-up table including correlation data for the control system instructions for the component and historical data about the operating condition of the component; and providing instructions to a control system of the CC power plant to modify the operating condition in the CC power plant in response to determining that the change in operating condition of the component is unintentional.

Abstract: A system includes a power generation system and a controller that controls the power generation system. The controller includes a processor that generates a model of the power generation system that estimates a value for a first parameter of the power generation system. The processor also receives a measured value of the first parameter. The processor further adjusts a correction factor of the model such that the estimated value of the first parameter output by the model is approximately equal to the measured value of the first parameter. The processor also generates a transfer function that represents the correction factor as a function of a second parameter of the power generation system. The processor further displays the transfer function along with one or more previously generated transfer functions to quantify degradation of the power generation system.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to monitor a combined-cycle (CC) power plant during a transient event by performing actions including: determining whether a change in an operating condition of a component of the CC power plant is unintentional, the determining including comparing control system instructions for the component of the CC power plant with a reference look-up table, the reference look-up table including correlation data for the control system instructions for the component and historical data about the operating condition of the component; and providing instructions to a control system of the CC power plant to modify the operating condition in the CC power plant in response to determining that the change in operating condition of the component is unintentional.

Abstract: A system includes a power generation system and a controller that controls the power generation system. The controller includes a processor that generates a model of the power generation system that estimates a value for a first parameter of the power generation system. The processor also receives a measured value of the first parameter. The processor further adjusts a correction factor of the model such that the estimated value of the first parameter output by the model is approximately equal to the measured value of the first parameter. The processor also generates a transfer function that represents the correction factor as a function of a second parameter of the power generation system. The processor further displays the transfer function along with one or more previously generated transfer functions to quantify degradation of the power generation system.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to monitor a combined-cycle (CC) power plant during a transient event by performing actions including: determining whether a change in an operating condition of a component of the CC power plant is unintentional, the determining including comparing control system instructions for the component of the CC power plant with a reference look-up table, the reference look-up table including correlation data for the control system instructions for the component and historical data about the operating condition of the component; and providing instructions to a control system of the CC power plant to modify the operating condition in the CC power plant in response to determining that the change in operating condition of the component is unintentional.

Abstract: A system includes a model-based control system configured to receive data relating to parameters of a machinery via a plurality of sensors coupled to the machinery and select one or more models configured to generate a desired parameter of the machinery based on a determined relationship between the parameters and the desired parameter. The one or more models represent a performance of a device of the machinery. The model-based control system is configured to generate the desired parameter using the data and the one or more models control a plurality of actuators coupled to the machinery based on the desired parameter. Further, the model-based control system is configured to empirically tune the one or more models based on the data, the one or more parameters, and the desired parameter, compare the empirical tuning to a baseline tuning, and determine an operational state of the device based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system for managing multiple power assets is provided. The system includes at least one volatile asset, at least one deterministic asset, and a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one volatile asset and the at least one deterministic asset, the controller configured to receive data from said at least one volatile asset, predict a change in power output for said at least one volatile asset based on the received data, and control operation of said at least one deterministic asset to compensate for the predicted change in power output.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel supply system includes a fuel manifold, and a shutoff valve coupled in flow communication with the fuel manifold and positioned upstream from said fuel manifold. The shutoff valve is configured to actuate into a closed position when the gas turbine engine is operating at an overspeed condition. The system also includes a relief valve coupled in flow communication with the fuel manifold, wherein the relief valve is configured to release fuel from within the fuel manifold when the shutoff valve is in the closed position, and when a pressure within the fuel manifold is greater than a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining a potential cause of pre-identified conditions occurring in components of a plurality of rotary machines is provided. The method includes associating each rotary machine with a respective machine data set and identifying, in a component database, a first set of the components each having a first pre-identified condition. The method also includes identifying at least one common parameter from the machine data sets of the rotary machines associated with the first set of components, and identifying, in the component database, a second set of the components for which the machine data set of the associated rotary machine includes the at least one common parameter. The method further includes reporting the at least one common parameter as the potential cause of the first pre-identified condition, and as the potential cause of at least a second of the pre-identified conditions associated with the second set of components.

Abstract: An imaging and analysis system for a component of a rotary machine includes an image capture device operable to capture image data from at least one selected type of electromagnetic radiation that is at least one of reflected from and transmitted through the component. The system also includes an image processor configured to generate processed data from the captured image data. The system further includes a control system configured to automatically identify a condition of the component by comparing the processed data to stored reference data. The reference data is stored in a format that enables direct comparison to the processed data.

Abstract: A system and method in a combined cycle power plant includes a processor modeling plant level performance by considering the interrelation between outputs of the gas turbine and the steam turbine. The model can be computational, predictive, or both. The model may be used to control subsystems of the plant (including the gas turbine and the steam turbine) to achieve a target plant performance. The model may also be used to diagnose or maintain subsystems of the combined cycle power plant.