Abstract: A method and system are provided for calculating a marginal cost curve for a plant at a plant load range comprising a plurality of specified plant loads. The method includes providing a model used for controlling the plant. The model relates plant load and one or more given cost contributing factors. The marginal value for each of the one or more given cost contributing factors at each of the plurality of specified plant loads is determined using the model. A variable cost at each of the plurality of specified plant loads is determined by: (i) multiplying the marginal value of each of the one or more given cost contributing factors at each of the plurality of specified plant loads by a respective unit cost of each of the one or more given cost contributing factors, and (ii) if there are a plurality of given cost contributing factors, summing the results of (i) at each of the plurality of specified plant loads.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling SNCR performance in a fossil fuel boiler. A performance goal for the boiler and data on current boiler performance is obtained. A determination is made as to whether the performance goal is satisfied by the current boiler performance. When the performance goal is not satisfied, the generally closest operating region in which the performance goal would be satisfied is identified. The operating region is associated with desired operating parameters of one or more devices affecting SNCR performance. One or more control moves are determined using the desired operating parameters of the one or more devices for directing the boiler to the operating region. The one or more control moves are communicated to the one or more devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling SCR performance in a boiler. The boiler includes one or more generally cross sectional areas. Each cross sectional area can be characterized by one or more profiles of one or more conditions affecting SCR performance and be associated with one or more adjustable desired profiles of the one or more conditions during the operation of the boiler. The performance of the boiler can be characterized by boiler performance parameters. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention can include a controller input for receiving a performance goal for the boiler corresponding to at least one of the boiler performance parameters and for receiving data values corresponding to boiler control variables and to the boiler performance parameters. The boiler control variables include one or more current profiles of the one or more conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an indirect controller for a plant. A plant can be provided with both a direct controller and an indirect controller with a system model or a committee of system models. When the system model has sufficient integrity to satisfy the plant requirements, i.e., when the system model has been sufficiently trained, the indirect controller with the system model is automatically enabled to replace the direct controller. When the performance falls, the direct controller can automatically assume operation of the plant, preferably maintaining operation in a control region suitable for generating additional training data for the system model. Alternatively, the system model incorporates a committee of models. Various types of sources for errors in the committee of models can be detected and used to implement strategies to improve the quality of the committee.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems for assigning credit to the external and intermediate inputs of an enterprise-level system or other aggregate process with one or more global outputs that is composed of a number of interconnected local processes. Assigning credit is a mechanism for evaluating the impact of a particular variable, e.g., an input to one of the local processes, on the final output of the aggregate process. In certain embodiments of the invention, credit is assigned to the local inputs of each local process in two steps. First, for each local input, a local credit assignment is obtained. For chained outputs, credit assignment data is provided as calculated for the later stage processes to which the outputs are chained. Second, a global credit assignment is derived for the local inputs from the local credit assignment and the credit assignment information from later stage processes.

Abstract: A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or state of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler.

Abstract: A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or slate of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler.

Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-resistant coating device (10), capable of traversing long lengths of pipe (14). The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses an explosion-resistant camera (44) for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane (48), which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.

Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-proof coating device, capable of traversing long lengths of pipe. The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses a halogen lit explosion-proof camera for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane, which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.