Methods and systems for controlling rate and output of heat exchanger fluids
Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling fluids parameters in a heat exchanger. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a heat exchanger system may include a first controller and a second controller. Each controller may control an actuator associated with a parameter of the heat exchanger system. Each controller may include a feedback gain and a cross coupling gain. The cross coupling gain may cross couple the system inputs to the actuators. The parameters are the temperature and the mass flow rate. The heat exchanges fluids are the heat transfer fluid and the controlled fluid.
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The present invention relates, in general, to process control, and more particularly to controlling the rate and output of a controlled fluid through a heat exchanger. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system such as the temperature and the mass flow rate of a controlled fluid.
Many chemical processes may require control of a plurality of parameters. For example, control of a heat exchanger may involve control of parameters such as temperature and mass flow rate of one of more fluids in a heat exchanger system. Some heat exchanger systems include two fluids: a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. Typically, the mass flow rates or temperatures of both fluids to a heat exchanger may be independently controlled by actuators. Moreover, changes in the mass flow rates of one of both input fluids of a heat exchanger may lead to large changes in temperature. Consequently, temperature tracking in many heat exchangers may be poor.
A change in the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid in the heat exchanger may propagate through the entire system within a few seconds. Concomitant with the change in mass flow rate, however, is a change in temperature of the controlled fluid. As a result, a temperature gradient may be established within a heat exchanger system, and this gradient may propagate through the system within tens of seconds or minutes following a change in mass flow rate. Thus, many control systems for heat exchangers do not function well in response to a change in a desired temperature or desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid. Moreover, due to actuator dynamics, many control systems cannot maintain a desired temperature following a large change in the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates, in general, to process control, and more particularly to controlling the rate and output of the controlled fluid through a heat exchanger.
More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system such as the temperature and the mass flow rate of a controlled fluid.
In a first aspect of the invention, a method of maintaining a desired first parameter of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, comprises the steps of measuring a second parameter of the controlled fluid; varying an input to a first parameter actuator as a function of the second parameter of the controlled fluid; measuring the first parameter of the controlled fluid; and varying the input to the first parameter actuator to reduce an error of the first parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of first parameter.
Additionally, the method comprises the steps of varying an input to a second parameter actuator as a function of the first parameter of the controlled fluid; measuring the second parameter of the controlled fluid; and varying the input to the second parameter actuator to reduce an error of the second parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the second parameter.
A second aspect of the invention, a method of maintaining a desired temperature of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, comprises the steps of measuring a parameter of the controlled fluid; varying an input to a temperature actuator as a function of the parameter of the controlled fluid; measuring a temperature of the controlled fluid; and varying the input to the temperature actuator to reduce an error of the temperature of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired temperature.
Additionally, when the parameter of the controlled fluid is a mass flow rate, the method comprises the steps of varying an input to a parameter actuator as a function of the temperature of the controlled fluid; measuring the parameter of the control fluid; and varying the input to the parameter actuator to reduce an error of the parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the parameter.
In a third aspect, a method of maintaining desired parameters of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, wherein the controlled fluid has one or more parameters, and the heat transfer fluid has a parameter, the method comprises the steps of measuring a first parameter of the controlled fluid; and varying an input to a first actuator of the parameter of the heat transfer fluid as a function of an error of the first parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the first parameter of the controlled fluid.
Additionally, the method comprises the steps of measuring the second parameter of the controlled fluid; and varying an input to a second actuator of the second parameter of the controlled fluid as a function of the second parameter of the controlled fluid.
In a fourth aspect, an apparatus for controlling one or more parameters of a first fluid or a second fluid of a heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger includes a first fluid having one or more parameters and a second fluid having one or more parameters, the apparatus comprises a first controller controlling a first parameter of the heat exchanger system; a second controller controlling a second parameter of the heat exchanger system; and a first cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
In a fifth aspect, an apparatus for controlling one or more parameters of a heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger including a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid, the apparatus comprises a first controller controlling an input to a first actuator, the first actuator controlling a first parameter of the heat exchanger system; a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator, the second actuator controlling a second parameter of the heat exchanger system; and a first cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
In another aspect, a system for controlling one or more parameters of a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger including a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid, the system comprises a heat exchanger; a first actuator controlling a first parameter of the heat exchanger; a second actuator controlling a second parameter of the heat exchanger; a first parameter monitor; a second parameter monitor; and a controller for controlling the heat exchanger. The controller comprises a first controller controlling an input to the first actuator; a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator; and a first cross coupling gain the first controller and the second controller.
The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the description of the exemplary embodiments which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more complete understanding of the present disclosure and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description set forth herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims are intended to be covered.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present invention relates, in general, to process control, and more particularly to controlling the rate and output of the controlled fluid through a heat exchanger.
The details of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures. In some embodiments, the present invention comprises methods for controlling the mass flow rate and temperature of a fluid. For example, some cementing or fracturing processes related to the production of hydrocarbons may require a fluid, e.g., nitrogen, having a desired temperature (TD) and a desired mass flow rate (dMD/dt). As used herein, “T” denotes temperature, “M” denotes mass, and “dM/dt” denotes mass flow rate. In one embodiment, the present invention may be used in a process requiring nitrogen at a desired temperature of about 100° F. Typically, liquid nitrogen stored at about −320° F. is used as the source of nitrogen. A heat exchanger may be used to increase the temperature of the nitrogen from its source temperature of about −320° F. to about 100° F.
A heat exchanger may include two fluids: a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. Typically, the controlled fluid is the fluid whose temperature and/or mass flow rate is being controlled, and the heat transfer fluid is a fluid functioning as an energy source from which energy is transferred to the controlled fluid (when the temperature of the controlled fluid is being increased) or as an energy sink to which energy is transferred from the controlled fluid (when the temperature of the controlled fluid is being decreased). In one embodiment of the present invention, it may be desirable to control the temperature and mass flow rate of a controlled fluid. For example, it may be desirable to maintain a flow of nitrogen at constant temperature, and at the same time vary the mass flow rate of the nitrogen.
Turning to
Various types of pumps may be selected for pumps 160 and 190. In one embodiment, pumps 160 and 190 may be positive displacement pumps. For example, nitrogen may be pumped at a pressure of about 1,000-15,000 psi and at a volume of about 340,000 ft3/hour using a positive displacement pump. One skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will recognize other types of pumps and fluid moving devices that may be used in the present invention.
Another embodiment of the present invention for controlling the temperature and mass flow rate of the controlled fluid is shown in
In one embodiment, a heated hydraulic fluid may be used as the heat transfer fluid, and water may be used as the controlled fluid of heat exchanger 250. A heat throttle valve having a high pressure and low pressure side may be selected as valve 230. For example, the high pressure side of valve 230 may be maintained around 4000 psi, and the low pressure side may be maintained around 200 psi. The output temperature of the hydraulic fluid from heat throttle valve 230 may be estimated according to the following equation:
Tout=Tin+(V/C)(ΔP),
where Tout is the temperature of the heated hydraulic fluid at the output of the throttle valve, Tin is the temperature at the input of the throttle valve, V is the specific volume of hydraulic fluid that is passing through the throttle valve, C is the specific heat of the hydraulic fluid, and ΔP is the pressure drop across the heat throttle valve (e.g., 3800 psi for the previous example).
One skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will recognize the desirability of controlling the temperature and mass flow rate of the controlled fluid (e.g., nitrogen) of heat exchanger 350 shown in
In
A first cross coupling gain 330 having as an input the output of summation block 322 may be used to couple the second controller to the first controller. In the embodiment shown in
A second cross coupling gain 312 having as an input the output of summation block 302 may also be included to couple the first controller to the second controller. In the embodiment shown in
A third cross coupling gain 310 having as an input a desired first parameter may also be used to couple the first controller to the second controller. Second cross coupling gain 312 and third cross coupling gain 310 may couple the desired first parameter and the error associated with the desired first parameter to the second controller. In this fashion, the heat exchanger system may respond quickly to an increase in a desired first parameter such as a desired mass flow rate of a controlled fluid without a significant change in a desired second parameter such as temperature.
The outputs of respectively first cross coupling gain 330 and second coupling gain 312 are the inputs of summation blocks 306 and 326. Summation block 306 is used for subtracting the output of first cross coupling gain 330 to the output of first feedback gain 304 and for feeding the input of first parameter actuator 308. Summation block 325 is used for adding the outputs of second feedback gain 324, third cross coupling gain 310 and second cross coupling gain 312 and for feeding the input of second parameter actuator 328.
The measured first parameter and measured second parameter of the embodiment shown in
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The first controller for controlling the controlled fluid mass flow rate actuator 408 for the example depicted in
As shown in
The typical input to a PID controller may be an error function, wherein the error function is calculated as the difference between a desired parameter and a measured parameter. In the case of the first controller for controlling the controlled fluid mass flow rate actuator, the desired parameter may be a desired mass flow rate, and the measured parameter may be the measured mass flow rate of the controlled fluid of heat exchanger 350. The outputs of PID controllers 404 and 424 function to drive the temperature error and mass flow rate error to zero. The temporal response to a PID controller may be given by the following equation:
where Kp, Ki, Kd are constants for the proportional, integral, and derivative terms, respectively, of the PID controller, and ε(t) is an error function as a function of time.
The temporal response of the PID controller may be transformed to the frequency domain through the use of a Laplace transform. The Laplace transform of the temporal response of a PID controller may be given by the following equation:
One skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that the methods, devices, and systems of the present invention may be applied to digital signals, as well as analog signals. The digital signals may be processed using digital transform functions, including, but not limited to, Z transforms, Fast Fourier transforms, wavelet transforms.
The input to PID controller 404 for the example depicted in
The mass flow rates of the heat transfer fluid and the controlled fluid may be inputted into the system through, inter alia, a pump, valve, or blower. The mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid may be controlled by the error in the desired temperature output of the controlled fluid and the error in the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid. The mass flow rate of the controlled fluid may also be controlled by the error in the desired temperature output of the controlled fluid and the error in the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid. By cross coupling the inputs, the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid and the controlled fluid may be driven by the desired mass flow rate and desired temperature of the controlled fluid.
The output of first cross coupling gain 430 may improve system performance through, inter alia, cross coupling the error εT associated with the desired temperature TD to the controller for controlling the mass flow rate actuator 408 of the controlled fluid. For example, if the desired temperature TD increases, εT will accordingly increase, and consequently the input to the controlled fluid mass flow rate actuator 408 will decrease, which in turn should permit more energy per mass to be added to the controlled fluid resulting in an increase in the temperature of the controlled fluid. Similarly, a decrease in the desired temperature TD should lead to an increase in the controlled fluid mass flow rate, which in turn should lead to a decrease in the temperature of the controlled fluid.
More generally, the control system depicted in
In the embodiment shown in
The second cross coupling gain 412 and the third cross coupling gain 410 may cross couple the desired mass flow rate dMD and the error εdM in the desired mass flow rate to the control of the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid. For example, as the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid increases, the output of the second cross coupling gain 412 and the third cross coupling gain 410 increase, which in turn, increases the input to the heat transfer fluid mass flow rate actuator 428. Consequently, the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid should increase.
An increase in the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid absent an increase in the mass flow rate and/or temperature of the heat transfer fluid should reduce the time available for the controlled fluid to absorb energy from the heat transfer fluid. Consequently, the amount of energy transfer between the two fluids of the heat exchanger may be reduced. However, if the energy capacity of the heat transfer fluid is increased through, for example, increasing the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid, then an increase the temperature of the working fluid would be expected.
In the embodiment shown in
These increases associated with the desired mass flow rate are fed forward through second and third cross coupling functions 412 and 410, which in turn result in an increase the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid. The increase in the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in combination with an increase in the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid provides the system the ability to increase the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid without resulting in a large change in the temperature of the controlled fluid. In other words, the cross coupling gains K2 and K3 link changes in the mass flow rate input of the controlled fluid to changes in the actuator of the heat transfer fluid mass flow rate such that an increase in mass flow rate of the controlled fluid will result in a minimal increase in the output temperature Tout of the heat exchanger.
One skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that energy may be added to a heat exchanger system by increasing the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid or by increasing the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.
As depicted in the example of
The example depicted in
The cross coupling gains K1, K2, and K3, referred as 530, 512 and 510, may cross couple the mass flow rate and the energy input to improve temperature control. For example, a temperature error may be amplified by gain K1 and fed negatively through a summation block 506 into the mass flow rate input to slow the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid when there is a temperature offset. The summation block 506 also receives the output of PID controller 504. Additionally, the desired mass flow rate of the controlled fluid may be amplified by gain K3 to feed forward an approximated energy input required for a specified mass flow rate. The mass flow rate error may also be used to approximate an additional energy input required to respond to a specific mass flow rate. For example, the mass flow rate error may be amplified by K2 to boost the energy input during the occurrence of a large change in mass flow rate of the controlled fluid. The cross coupling terms working in conjunction with the PID control loops may improve temperature control of a controlled fluid with a variable mass flow rate. Cross coupling gains K2 and K3 are positively fed through a summation block 526 into the heat transfer fluid temperature actuator 528. The summation block 506 also receives the output of PID controller 524.
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system comprising at least a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger system may include a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. The method includes determining a first parameter error and determining a second parameter error. The method also includes generating a first and second control signals. The first control signal is the output from a first controller which in turn may control a first actuator. The second control signal is the output from a second controller which also in turn may control a second actuator. Additionally, a first coupling gain couples the first controller and the second controller.
In another one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system comprising at least a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may include a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. The apparatus may include a first controller controlling a first parameter of the heat exchanger system, a second controller controlling a second parameter of the heat exchanger system, and a first cross coupling gain coupling the first controller and the second controller.
In still another embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system comprising at least a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may include a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. The apparatus may include a first controller controlling an input to a first actuator, a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator, and a first cross coupling gain coupling the first controller and the second controller. The first actuator may control a first parameter of the heat exchanger system, and the second actuator may control a second parameter of the heat exchanger system.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a system for controlling a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system comprising at least a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may include a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid. The system may include a first actuator, a second actuator, a first parameter monitor, a second parameter monitor, and a controller for controlling the heat exchanger. The first actuator may control a first parameter of the heat exchanger, the second actuator may control a second parameter of the heat exchanger. The controller may include a first controller controlling an input to the first actuator, a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator, and a first cross coupling gain coupling the first controller and the second controller.
To facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, the following examples in
In the implementation as shown in
Within the heat transfer fluid temperature actuator 628, the H2O to N2 heat exchanger 632 is also connected to the output of an hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633 which is controlled by one or more hydraulic heat valve(s) 637. The output of the hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633 is used a second control loop 638 that will be described more in detail later on. In one implementation, the hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633 is cooperative with a comingling chamber 636 whose input is connected to a switch 634 which also feeds the hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633. The output of the comingling chamber 636 is connected to a switch 635 which feeds the hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633.
Not only is the heat transfer fluid temperature actuator 628 controlled by PID controller 624, but it is also controlled by an additional controller block. This additional controller block receives two types of inputs: RateD and (TD+66 ), where RateD represents the desired mass flow rate, TD the desired temperature and Δ the slight variation. A proportional transfer function Kr, referred as 600, is applied to the input RateD and positively fed to a summation block 601 which also receives the input (TD+Δ). The output of summation block 601 is then fed to another summation block 603 which is also negatively fed by the control loop input. The output of summation block 603 is then fed into a PID controller 605 which is used to control the hydraulic heat valve(s) 637 through a summation block 626.
The summation block 626 is also positively fed with a proportional transfer function Kffd referred as 610 which has RateD as an input. Kffd can be considered as a feed forward transfer function of RateD. Furthermore, the summation block 626 is also positively fed forward with another input. The RateD is fed to a First Order lag transfer function 605 before it is fed to a derivative function 607 and a proportional transfer function Kd referred as 612. The gains Kd and Kffd can be respectively assimilated to K2 and K3 of
The second control loop 638 that negatively feed back the output of the hydraulic to H2O heat exchanger 633 to one of the inputs of the summation block 603 enables to feed the input of the PID 605 with the error between the desired and the measured temperatures of H2O.
As shown in
Due to the fact the rate can change without prior knowledge (the operator just changes the rate setpoint and the controller goes to that setpoint) there will always be some change in temperature. To mitigate this behavior the control system uses the feed forward gains K2, K3, and Kr. Gain K1 would also improve the performance, but it was not implemented because this unit is required to track a rate command from another unit, therefore, I can not effect the rate from the temperature error.
This system could be used with other fluids. We do use CO2 in fracturing. But this control system could be used with any system in which a fluid/gas is heated (or cooled) to a specified setpoint with a changeable output rate. The only thing that would change between using N2 or another fluid, such as CO2, would be the required heated. Therefore the system would have to be tuned relative to the fluid, but the overall control system would not change.
In the diagram, TD represents the desired nitrogen output temperature, rateD is the desired nitrogen rate. On the unit there are 2 heat exchangers that control the output nitrogen temperature: A water to nitrogen parallel flow heat exchanger (shown as “H2O to N2 Heat Exchanger”) and a heat exchanger using the exhaust gas from the engines (“exhaust Heat Exchanger”). After testing the unit it was found that the water to nitrogen heat exchanger had a response time that was very slow, about 3 minutes, therefore an exhaust heat exchanger is implemented, which had a response of a few seconds, to run the fine control of the temperature.
Control loop #1 controls a diverter valve that itself controls the flow of nitrogen between the exhaust heat exchanger and water to nitrogen heat exchanger. Under normal operating conditions about 80-90% of the nitrogen is flowing to the water to nitrogen heat exchanger, the rest is going to the exhaust heat exchanger. Control loop #1 is closed around the output nitrogen temperature.
Control loop #2 controls the position of a heat build valve in the hydraulic system. The hydraulic oil is then fed into a hydraulic to water heat exchanger, the water is then fed into the water to nitrogen heat exchanger. This control loop is used to maintain a specified water temperature that is dependant on the desired output nitrogen temperature and the designed rate.
To help the system when rate changes occur, two feed forward terms are included. As shown in
From
1) If the engines are under load (due to driving the pressure in the system) the exhaust will increase in temperature, allow for more energy to be extracted from the exhaust/N2 heat exchanger, and
2) The two operations are used to increase the hydraulic oil temperature, which will increase the water temperature, which will then increase the heat available for N2.
The present invention is well-adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those which are inherent therein. While the invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such a reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alternation, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only be the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
Claims
1. A method of maintaining a desired first parameter of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a second parameter of the controlled fluid;
- varying an input to a first parameter actuator as a function of the second parameter of the controlled fluid;
- measuring the first parameter of the controlled fluid; and
- varying the input to the first parameter actuator to reduce an error of the first parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of first parameter.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
- varying an input to a second parameter actuator as a function of the first parameter of the controlled fluid;
- measuring the second parameter of the controlled fluid; and
- varying the input to the second parameter actuator to reduce an error of the second parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the second parameter.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:
- generating a first control signal from a first controller, wherein the first controller controls the first parameter actuator; and
- generating a second control signal from a second controller, wherein the second controller controls the second parameter actuator.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein:
- a first cross coupling gain couples an input of the first controller with an output of the second controller; and
- a second cross coupling gain couples an input of the second controller with an output of the first controller.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein a third cross coupling gain couples the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first controller comprises a first feedback gain having an input being derived from a desired first parameter of the heat exchanger system.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the input to the first feedback gain is a function of the desired and measured first parameter.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the second controller comprises a second feedback gain having an input being derived from a desired second parameter of the heat exchanger system.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the second feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the input to the second feedback gain is a function of the desired and measured second parameter.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first parameter of the controlled fluid is the temperature of the controlled fluid.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second parameter of the controlled fluid is the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
15. A method of maintaining a desired temperature of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a parameter of the controlled fluid;
- varying an input to a temperature actuator as a function of the parameter of the controlled fluid;
- measuring a temperature of the controlled fluid; and
- varying the input to the temperature actuator to reduce an error of the temperature of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired temperature.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the parameter of the controlled fluid is a mass flow rate.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:
- varying an input to a parameter actuator as a function of the temperature of the controlled fluid;
- measuring the parameter of the control fluid; and
- varying the input to the parameter actuator to reduce an error of the parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the parameter.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
- generating a first control signal from a first controller, wherein the first controller controls the temperature actuator; and
- generating a second control signal from a second controller, wherein the second controller controls the parameter actuator.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein:
- a first cross coupling gain couples an input of the first controller with an output of the second controller; and
- a second cross coupling gain couples an input of the second controller with an output of the first controller.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein a third cross coupling gain couples the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
21. A method of maintaining desired parameters of a controlled fluid in a heat exchanger system, wherein the controlled fluid has one or more parameters, and the heat exchanger includes a heat transfer fluid having a parameter, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a first parameter of the controlled fluid; and
- varying an input to a first actuator of the parameter of the heat transfer fluid as a function of an error of the first parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the first parameter of the controlled fluid.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:
- measuring the second parameter of the controlled fluid; and
- varying an input to a second actuator of the second parameter of the controlled fluid as a function of the second parameter of the controlled fluid.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:
- varying the input to the first actuator to reduce the error of the first parameter of the controlled fluid; and
- varying the input to the second actuator to reduce an error of the second parameter of the controlled fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the second parameter of the controlled fluid.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:
- generating a first control signal from a first controller, wherein the first controller controls the first actuator; and
- generating a second control signal from a second controller, wherein the second controller controls the second actuator.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein:
- a first cross coupling gain couples an input of the first controller with an output of the second controller;
- a second cross coupling gain couples an input of the second controller with an output of the first controller; and
- a third cross coupling gain couples the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein:
- the first and second parameters of the controlled fluid are respectively the temperature and the mass flow of the controlled fluid; and
- the parameter of the heat transfer fluid is the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.
27. A method of maintaining desired parameters among a plurality of parameters of a heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger system includes a first fluid having one or more parameters and a second fluid having one or more parameters, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a first parameter of the first fluid; and
- varying an input to a first actuator of the second fluid as a function of an error of the first parameter of the first fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired values of the first parameter of the first fluid.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:
- measuring a second parameter of the first fluid; and
- varying an input to a second actuator of the second parameter of the first fluid as a function of the second parameter of the first fluid.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of:
- varying the input to the first actuator to reduce the error of the first parameter of the first fluid; and
- varying the input to the second actuator to reduce an error of the second parameter of the first fluid indicative of the difference between the measured and desired value of the second parameter of the first fluid.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of:
- generating a first control signal from a first controller, wherein the first controller controls the first actuator; and
- generating a second control signal from a second controller, wherein the second controller controls the second actuator.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein:
- a first cross coupling gain couples an input of the first controller with an output of the second controller;
- a second cross coupling gain couples an input of the second controller with an output of the first controller; and
- a third cross coupling gain couples the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein:
- the first and second parameters of the controlled fluid are respectively the temperature and the mass flow rate of the controlled fluid; and
- the parameter of the heat transfer fluid is the temperature of the heat transfer fluid.
33. An apparatus for controlling one or more parameters of a first fluid or a second fluid of a heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger includes a first fluid having one or more parameters and a second fluid having one or more parameters, the apparatus comprising:
- a first controller controlling a first parameter of the heat exchanger system;
- a second controller controlling a second parameter of the heat exchanger system; and
- a first cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a second cross coupling gain coupling an input of the second controller and an output of the first controller.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the first and second cross coupling gain include at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
36. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a third cross coupling gain coupling a desired first parameter of the heat exchanger and an output of the second controller.
37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the third cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first controller comprises a first feedback gain having an input being derived from a desired first parameter of the heat exchanger system.
39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the first feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the input to the first feedback gain is a function of the desired first parameter and a measured first parameter.
41. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second controller comprises a second feedback gain having an input being derived from a desired second parameter of the heat exchanger system.
42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the second feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the input to the second feedback gain is a function of the desired second parameter and a measured second parameter.
44. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
45. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the first fluid.
46. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the first fluid.
47. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first fluid is one of a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid.
48. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a temperature of the second fluid.
49. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a temperature and mass flow rate of the second fluid.
50. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second fluid is one of a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid.
51. An apparatus for controlling one or more parameters of a heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger includes a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid, the apparatus comprising:
- a first controller controlling an input to a first actuator, wherein the first actuator controls a first parameter of the heat exchanger system;
- a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator, wherein the second actuator controls a second parameter of the heat exchanger system; and
- a first cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
52. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising a second cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the second cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
54. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising a third cross coupling gain coupling the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the third cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
56. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the first controller comprises a first feedback gain having an input, wherein the input to the first feedback gain is derived from a desired first parameter of the heat exchanger system.
57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the first feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the input to the first feedback gain is a function of the desired first parameter and a measured first parameter.
59. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the second controller comprises a second feedback gain having an input, wherein the input to the second feedback gain is derived from a desired second parameter of the heat exchanger system.
60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the second feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the input to the second feedback gain is a function of the desired second parameter and a measured second parameter.
62. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the first cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
63. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
64. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
65. A system for controlling one or more parameters of a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes a heat transfer fluid and a controlled fluid, the system comprising:
- a heat exchanger;
- a first actuator, wherein the first actuator controls a first parameter of the heat exchanger;
- a second actuator, wherein the second actuator controls a second parameter of the heat exchanger;
- a first parameter monitor;
- a second parameter monitor; and
- a controller for controlling the heat exchanger, the controller comprising: a first controller controlling an input to the first actuator; a second controller controlling an input to a second actuator; and a first cross coupling gain coupling the first controller and the second controller.
66. The system of claim 65 further comprising a second cross coupling gain coupling an input of the first controller and an output of the second controller.
67. The system of claim 66 wherein the second cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
68. The system of claim 65 further comprising a third cross coupling gain coupling the desired first parameter with an output of the second controller.
69. The system of claim 68 wherein the third cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
70. The system of claim 65 wherein the first controller comprises:
- a first feedback gain having an input, wherein the input to the first feedback gain is derived from a desired first parameter of the heat exchanger system.
71. The system of claim 70 wherein the first feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
72. The system of claim 71 wherein the input to the first feedback gain is a function of the desired first parameter and a measured first parameter.
73. The system of claim 65 wherein the second controller comprises a second feedback gain having an input, wherein the input to the second feedback gain is derived from a desired second parameter of the heat exchanger system.
74. The system of claim 73 wherein the second feedback gain is one of a proportional (P) gain, proportional-integral (PI) controller gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller gain.
75. The system of claim 74 wherein the input to the second feedback gain is a function of the desired second parameter and a measured second parameter.
76. The system of claim 65 wherein the first cross coupling gain includes at least one of a proportional (P) gain, a proportional-integral (PI) gain, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) gain.
77. The system of claim 65 wherein the first parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
78. The system of claim 65 wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a temperature and a mass flow rate of the controlled fluid.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 1, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Jason Dykstra (Duncan, OK)
Application Number: 11/000,787
International Classification: F25B 49/00 (20060101); F25B 15/00 (20060101); F25B 1/00 (20060101);