Abstract: A supercritical fluid power system comprises: a power cycle loop (10) filled with a supercritical fluid working substance and comprising a first pressure container (11), a second pressure container (12), and a driven portion (13) disposed between the two pressure containers; and a hot source (20) and a cold source (30), wherein the hot source (20) is used to provide thermal energy to a working substance in one pressure container, and the cold source (30) is used to cool the working substance in another pressure container, so as to form a pressure difference between the two pressure containers. The working substance flows between the two pressure containers under the effect of the pressure difference and flows to the driven portion (13) to provide power to the driven portion (13). For this power system, a pressure difference is cyclically produced between the two pressure containers, thereby implementing recycling of power.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to perform actions including: measuring at least one of the following parameters: a steam pressure within a steam drum, a load on a GT, a position of a bypass valve bypassing an HRSG, and a steam flow rate through the steam drum; defining a threshold range for each of: a steam pressure within the steam drum, a load on the GT, a position of the bypass valve bypassing the HRSG and a steam flow rate through the steam drum based upon the measured data and a target steam level; and adjusting the steam flow rate through the steam drum in response to at least one of the measured parameters deviating from the corresponding threshold range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the pitch angle of rotor blades in a wind turbine are provided. A signal path between a turbine controller and a pitch of a wind turbine can be broken r modified and a secondary controller can be inserted between the turbine controller and the pitch system. The secondary controller can receive a pitch angle setpoint from the turbine controller and adjust the pitch angle setpoint to an adjusted pitch angle setpoint. The adjusted pitch angle setpoint can be communicated to the pitch system. In this way, the pitch angle setpoints for the wind turbine can be adjusted to provide for increased energy production without requiring access to computer-readable instructions, such as source code, implemented by the wind turbine controller.

Abstract: A method for obtaining operating parameters of a power plant includes data mining a historical operating condition database for the power plant with a partitional clustering algorithm to generate a statistical model, and calculating dynamic operating condition target values from the statistical model taking into account current operating condition data of the power plant. The method further includes performing a real-time energy-loss analysis based on the dynamic operating condition target values and automatically identifying at least one operating parameter of the power plant from the energy-loss analysis. The partitional clustering algorithm can be a k-means clustering algorithm.

Abstract: Provided is a steam turbine plant activation control device that can flexibly handle an initial state amount of a steam turbine plant and activate a steam turbine at a high speed. The activation control device 21 for the steam turbine plant includes a heat source device 1 configured to heat a low-temperature fluid using a heat source medium and generate a high-temperature fluid, a steam generator 2 for generating steam by thermal exchange with the high-temperature fluid, a steam turbine 3 to be driven by the steam, and adjusters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 configured to adjust operation amounts of the plant.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to methods and systems for operating a solar steam system in response to a detected or predicted reduced insolation condition (for example, sunset or a cloud condition). In some embodiments, for a period of time, enthalpy stored within a solid material of a conduit via which steam travels en route to a steam turbine is used to heat the steam to drive the turbine. In some embodiments, a net migration of heliostats away from the steam superheater is carried out in response to the detected or predicted reduced insolation condition.

Abstract: For increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid is adjusted during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads while virtually maintaining the inlet temperature and power plant thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus, a power generation method, a decomposition-gas boiler, and a decomposition-gas turbine with which nitrous oxide may be used as an environmentally friendly energy source. A fuel gas including nitrous oxide (N2O) is supplied to a decomposition reactor (22) in which a catalyst (21) for decomposing nitrous oxide is disposed. Steam is generated by a decomposition-gas boiler by heat recovery from decomposition gas (N2, O2) generated by decomposing the nitrous oxide, the steam generated by the decomposition-gas boiler is used to drive the rotation of a steam turbine to obtain motive power, and the motive power is subsequently used to drive a generator to obtain electrical power. Alternatively, the decomposition gas (N2, O2) generated by decomposing the nitrous oxide is used to drive the rotation of a decomposition-gas turbine to obtain motive power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined cycle power plant including a gas turbine the exhaust gas outlet of which is connected to a heat recovery steam generator, which is part of a water/steam cycle, whereby, for having a large power reserve and at the same time a higher design performance when operated at base load, the gas turbine is designed with a steam injection capability for power augmentation. For having a large power reserve at improved and optimized design performance when the plant is being operated at base load, the gas turbine includes at least one combustor, and a compressor for providing cooling air for that gas turbine, which is extracted from the compressor and cooled down in at least one cooling air cooler. The steam for steam injection is generated in said cooling air cooler, whereby said steam is injected into an air side inlet or outlet of said cooling air cooler and/or directly into said at least one combustor.

Abstract: An optimized Rankine thermodynamic cycle system and method include utilizing a working fluid including a base component and an effective amount of a lower boiling point component, where the effective amount is sufficient to raise a power utilization efficiency of the systems by up to 10%, without changing a weight of the fluid reducing turbine efficiency for the particular base component and for optimizing output control valves for adjusting the working fluid composition and temperature sensors measuring an initial temperature of a coolant medium and a final temperature of a heat source stream to computer control valves to continuously adjust a pressure and a flow rate of a working fluid stream to be vaporized so that a heat utilization of the system is about 99% increasing output by approximately 3% to 6% on a sustained and permanent yearly basis.

Abstract: A novel 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) Fuel-Air Ratio Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controller is introduced, which can effectively control key process variables including Bed Temperature, Excess O2, and Furnace Negative Pressure of combustion processes of advanced boilers. A novel 7-input-7-output (7×7) MFA control system is also described for controlling a combined 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) process of Boiler-Turbine-Generator (BTG) units and a 5×5 CFB combustion process of advanced boilers. Those boilers include Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Boilers and Once-Through Supercritical Circulating Fluidized-Bed (OTSC CFB) Boilers.

Abstract: A system for producing energy and heat from biomass is disclosed. The system includes a feed system, a gasifier, a thermal fluid oil heater, and a generator based on the organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The system may also include a controller that takes input from a number of sensors and controls, among other things, the rate at which fuel is fed into the system and the speed of fans and pumps that draw the products from one apparatus into the next. In this system, the biomass is fed into the gasifier, the resulting producer gas is flared and used to heat an oil in the thermal fluid oil heater, and the hot oil is used to provide input heat for the ORC generator. Methods for controlling such a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A steam turbine power plant includes heat-source equipment that heats a low-temperature flow by applying a heat medium and thus generates a high-temperature flow, a steam generator using the high-temperature flow generated by the heat-source equipment, a steam turbine driven by the steam generated by the steam generator, an electric generator that converts rotational motive power of the steam turbine into electric power, a heat-medium controller that controls a supply rate of the heat medium supplied to the heat source equipment, a low-temperature flow controller that controls a supply rate of the low-temperature flow supplied to the heat-source equipment, a prediction device that predicts startup constraints of the steam turbine from control input variables of the controllers when the steam turbine is started, and a control input variables setter so as to prevent data predictions by the prediction device from exceeding limit values of startup constraints.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again.

Abstract: The air cooling system and method for a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) inlet provides a combined cycle power plant utilizing a powerful fan coupled to ductwork connected to pipes that enter the HRSG inlet duct coupled to an exhaust duct of a Combustion Turbine (CT) for lowering the temperature of the CT exhaust gas provided to the heat recovery steam generator by the CT. The cool air injection system is utilized during low load operation or startup of the CT to ensure that spray water from an inter-stage desuperheater in an HRSG is fully evaporated prior to entering the downstream superheater or reheater. A feedback system includes temperature elements measuring the mix temperature that regulates the cooling air injection rate into the HRSG inlet.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling operation of a power plant system. The system has at least a gasifier, a boiler, an induced draft fan, and a baghouse. A controller in communication with the system is configured to implement a first stage and/or a second stage sequences after detecting loss of flame in the boiler using a temperature measurement device. The method includes automatically bypassing the baghouse and controlled (e.g., decreasing) the speed of the induced draft fan in the system to relight the boiler. The input feed to the gasifier can be limited and devices operated for a predetermined amount of time before reigniting the boiler.

Abstract: A optimized organic thermodynamic cycle system and method include temperature sensors measuring an initial temperature of a coolant medium and a final temperature of a heat source stream to computer control valves to continuously adjust a pressure and a flow rate of a working fluid stream to be vaporized so that a heat utilization of the system is about 99% increasing output by approximately 3% to 6% on a sustained and permanent yearly basis.

Abstract: A heating medium supply system is provided which, even when a temperature fluctuation of a heating medium occurs continuously, is capable of relieving a bad thermal influence upon a heat exchanging device due to the temperature fluctuation. The heating medium supply system includes: a heating system configured to heat a liquid heating medium by sunlight; a heat exchanging device configured to heat feedwater; heating medium supply piping for circulating the heating medium; a heating medium temperature detecting device, a heating medium flow rate detecting device and a first heating medium flow control valve; and a control device capable of calculating a value of supply thermal energy from results of detections by the heating medium temperature detecting device and the heating medium flow rate detecting device and controlling an operation of the heating medium flow control valve based on the value of supply thermal energy thus calculated.

Abstract: According to the embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a first stage auxiliary burner configured to heat up the exhaust gas in the upstream side of the superheater, a second stage auxiliary burner configured to heat up the exhaust gas in the upstream side of the evaporator, a fuel supply system configured to distribute fuel so as to be supplied to the first stage auxiliary burner and the second stage auxiliary burner. Distribution of fuel charged to each of the first stage auxiliary burner and the second stage auxiliary burner is controlled in accordance with a predetermined distribution ratio of each charging quantity to whole charging quantity in all the range thereof.

Abstract: In a method and a device for utilizing heat transported by a discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1), the discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1) is emitted in phases (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) with, in each case, constant output values for volume flowing (Va) and temperature (Ta) from an industrial installation, particularly an industrial furnace, wherein the discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1) is converted into a continuous working flow (2) with adjustable, constant target values for the volume flowing (Vz) and the temperature (Tz). The continuous working flow (2), with the heat contained therein, is used for the conversion of thermal energy into useful energy.

Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator has a plurality of heat exchangers, including superheaters 28, 30, an evaporator 32 and an economizer 34, disposed in a duct 27 along the flow direction of an exhaust gas 25 from a gas turbine 14, and generates steam by utilizing the exhaust gas 25 from the gas turbine 14. The heat recovery steam generator includes: auxiliary combustors 50, 52, each disposed upstream of one of the heat exchangers, for heating the exhaust gas by means of burners; and an air supply device for supplying air to the burners of the auxiliary combustor 52 from the outside of the duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for matching the output of a steam turbine (2) to a changed load, in particular for the short-term matching of the output of a power plant steam turbine (2) to changed network loads within the context of primary control. The control system according to the invention is characterized by a heat store (33) which, when there is an increased volume of steam tapped off from the steam turbine (2) under a correspondingly reduced load, extracts heat from the steam and which, when there is a reduced quantity of steam tapped off from the steam turbine under a correspondingly increased load, gives up heat to a steam/feed water circuit supplying the steam turbine (2).

Abstract: In a fossil fuel waste incineration or plasma gasification process, waste heat generated by combustion of waste is captured by a heat transfer fluid and conveyed to an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for energy recovery. In the case of a fossil fuel-fired waste incineration system, the heat transfer fluid captures waste heat from a double-walled combustion chamber, a heat exchanger being used to cool the hot process exhaust (gas cooler). In the case of a plasma waste gasification system, the heat transfer fluid captures waste heat from a plasma torch, a gasification chamber and combustion chamber cooling jackets as well as any other high-temperature components requiring cooling, and then a heat exchanger used to cool the hot process exhaust (gas cooler). The heat exchanger may take on several configurations, including plate or shell and tube configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing coal consumption in coal fired plant with fluidized-bed drying, namely a fluidized-bed drying system is provided between a coal powder bunker as well as a weighing belt and a coal grinding mill of the prior coal fired boiler generating set, and superheated steam which has done partial work is extracted from an steam turbine and used as a drying medium, moisture contained in the coal powder is evaporated with sensible heat and latent heat of the superheated steam, water resulted from the condensation of the superheated steam is fed into a deaerator of the steam turbine via a condensate pump for recirculation. The present invention has advantages of reducing coal consumption and saving coal, recovering residual heat, reducing emission of carbon dioxide and adopting to the national industrial policy on energy saving and emission reduction.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery plant control system includes a programmable controller configured to generate expander speed control signals, expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals, fan speed control signals, pump speed control signals, and valve position control signals in response to an algorithmic optimization software to substantially maximize power output or efficiency of a waste heat recovery plant based on organic Rankine cycles, during mismatching temperature levels of external heat source(s), during changing heat loads coming from the heat sources, and during changing ambient conditions and working fluid properties. The waste heat recovery plant control system substantially maximizes power output or efficiency of the waste heat recovery plant during changing/mismatching heat loads coming from the external heat source(s) such as the changing amount of heat coming along with engine jacket water and its corresponding exhaust in response to changing engine power.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The arrangement has a line circuit (3), circulation device (4) for circulating a zeotropic refrigerant mixture in the line circuit (3), an evaporator (6) in which the refrigerant mixture is vaporised by a heat source (7), a turbine (9) driven by the vaporised refrigerant mixture, and a condenser (12) which cools the refrigerant mixture so that it condenses. A control unit assesses whether the refrigerant mixture does not become fully vaporised in the evaporator (6) and, leads incompletely vaporised refrigerant mixture leaving the evaporator to a separating device (14) in which a liquid portion of the refrigerant mixture is separated from the gaseous portion, after which only the gaseous portion proceeds towards the turbine (9).

Abstract: A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy and conversion to mechanical energy. The system collects thermal energy from a reciprocating engine, specifically from engine jacket fluid and/or engine exhaust and uses this thermal energy to generate a secondary power source by evaporating an organic propellant and using the gaseous propellant to drive an expander in production of mechanical energy. A monitoring module senses ambient and system conditions such as temperature, pressure, and flow of organic propellant at one or more locations; and a control module regulates system parameters based on monitored information to optimize secondary power output. A tertiary, or back-up power source may also be present. The system may be used to meet on-site power demands using primary, secondary, and tertiary power.

Abstract: A novel 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) Fuel-Air Ratio Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controller is introduced, which can effectively control key process variables including Bed Temperature, Excess O2, and Furnace Negative Pressure of combustion processes of advanced boilers. A novel 7-input-7-output (7×7) MFA control system is also described for controlling a combined 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) process of Boiler-Turbine-Generator (BTG) units and a 5×5 CFB combustion process of advanced boilers. Those boilers include Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Boilers and Once-Through Supercritical Circulating Fluidized-Bed (OTSC CFB) Boilers.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle device includes a heat exchanger for supplying heat to a working fluid and an expansion device for expanding the working fluid. A valve is disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a cooling device is reduces a temperature of the working fluid. A pump moves the working fluid through the Rankine cycle device and a sensor is used to sense a pressure of the working fluid. A controller is operable to open the valve based upon the sensed pressure of the working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling the flow of steam provided to a gas recovery unit 130 based on changes to steam flow to and/or power generated by a power generation unit 119. The gas recovery unit 130 may be part of a thermal power generation unit and may be an amine based CO2 recovery unit including two or more regenerator columns 153.

Abstract: A method for controlling a water level of a drum of a heat recovery steam generation system for a combined cycle power plant is provided. The method includes determining an optimum drum water level during start up operation of the heat recovery steam generation system based on a characteristic chart model. The characteristic chart model is generated based on a plurality of vapor pressures of the drum and a plurality of temperatures of drum metal at the time of the start up operation of the heat recovery steam generation system.

Abstract: Provided is a waste heat recovery turbine system capable of lowering the temperature of hot water returned to a heat source and of suppressing a steaming phenomenon in a preheater without changing the flow rate of a heating medium flowing through an evaporator.

Abstract: An infant warmer system include a heater canopy comprising a solar panel configured to convert solar energy into electricity, and a heater operatively connected to the solar panel. The heater is powered by the electricity from the solar panel and/or electricity from a steam generator, and is configured to provide radiant energy in the infrared spectrum to impinge upon and thereby warm an infant. The heater canopy also includes a controller operatively connected to the heater. The controller is configured to regulate the temperature of the heater such that the infant may be maintained within a selectable temperature range. The heater canopy also includes an attachment member configured to secure the heater canopy to a wall during operation.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for control of a gas turbine or a gas turbine generator, where the gas turbine is connected to a dryer vessel in which gas turbine exhaust gases are used to heat treat a material in the dryer vessel. The control system comprises one or more sensors for temperature, moisture and/or flow rate in the dryer vessel and/or of the material inside, entering and/or exiting the dryer vessel and a controller responsive to the sensor for controlling the fuel and/or air flow into the gas turbine. This control system and method enables providing the appropriate heat output from the gas turbine to meet the process heat required for the desired material treatment. Optionally, the gas turbine can be a liquid fuel turbine engine, or a reciprocating engine can be substituted for the turbine engine.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for operating a solar steam system in response to a detected or predicted reduced or impending reduced insolation event are disclosed herein. Examples of transient reduced insolation events include but are not limited to cloud-induced reduction in insolation, dust-induced reduction in insolation, and insolation events caused by solar eclipses. In some embodiments, in response to the detecting or predicting, steam flow is regulated within the solar steam system to reduce a flow rate into a steam turbine. Alternatively or additionally, one or more heliostats may be responsively redirected onto a steam superheater or steam re-heater.

Abstract: A system with a boiler and a turbine, and an associated control method. The method includes sensing a plurality of operating conditions at a first common boiler location. At least one of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location is indicative of a combustion anomaly occurring during operation. The combustion anomaly indicated by the plurality of operating conditions at the first common location is traced back to an offending burner that is at least partially responsible for the combustion anomaly based on a model that takes into consideration at least two of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location. At least one of a process input and a boiler configuration is adjusted to establish a desired value of the operating conditions at the first common location.

Abstract: A system and method for generating power using air as the working medium. External air is compressed by an air compressor and heated by a heat exchanger and then used to cause rotation of an air turbine. The air is then mixed with fuel in a combustion chamber to allow for combustion. The resulting combustion gas is used by the heat exchanger to heat the incoming external air.

Abstract: A heat recovery steam generation system is provided. The heat recovery steam generation system includes at least one superheater in a steam path for receiving a steam flow and configured to produce a superheated steam flow. The system also includes an inter-stage attemperator for injecting an attemperation fluid into the steam path. The system further includes a control valve coupled to the inter-stage attemperator. The control valve is configured to control flow of attemperation fluid to the inter stage attemperator. The system also includes a controller coupled to the control valve and the inter-stage attemperator. The controller further includes a feedforward controller and a trimming feedback controller.

Abstract: According to the invention, the thermostatic valve (10) includes, on the one hand, a mobile sleeve (30) for adjusting the flow of fluid through the valve body (20), said sleeve comprising a tubular body (31) provided with peripheral sealing fittings (32, 33, 34) adapted for interaction by sealed contact with the fixed seats (25A, 26A, 27A) in order to stop the fluid flows between the openings (21, 22, 23) defined by the valve body and, on the other hand, a thermostatic member (40) including a fixed portion (42) rigidly connected to the valve body and a fixed portion (41) movable in translation in the direction of the axis (X-X) of the sleeve under the action of a volume variation of a thermo-expansible material, the sleeve being kinematically connected to the mobile portion so that the movement of the mobile portion relative to the fixed portion controls the movement of the sleeve relative to the seats.

Abstract: An exhaust gas attemperating device is provided. The exhaust gas attemperating device includes a conduit in fluid communication with a gas turbine. The conduit is configured to receive exhaust gases from the gas turbine and has one or more apertures extending therethrough. The exhaust gas attemperating device further includes one or more atomizing nozzles extending through the apertures of the conduit. The atomizing nozzle is configured to inject a liquid through the aperture into the conduit, such that the liquid evaporates and decreases a temperature and an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gases in the conduit.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine, a motor/generator, and a Rankine cycle system for recovering thermal energy of exhaust gas. The output of the Rankine cycle system is input into a transmission or, alternatively, converted into electric power and used for charging a battery. The Rankine cycle system has temperature setter that sets the temperature of steam at the outlet of an evaporator. A pressure setter is provided for setting steam pressure at the inlet of an expander. A pressure controller is provided for controlling the steam pressure at the inlet of the expander. The evaporator generates steam to be supplied at a pressure that is optimum for the expansion ratio of the expander. The Rankine cycle system is operated when the vehicle is accelerating or cruising and efficiently recovers thermal energy of the exhaust gas and reduces the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for determining performance characteristics of a combustion heating process. The system uses input parameters that are controllable by an operator or control system to determine a set of controllable loss components. The controllable loss components may be summed to produce an efficiency index value.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing operation of fossil fuel based power plants, in which the economical effects of the changes of selected operational parameters are determined under consideration of the required economical expenditure, and, based on these additional operational costs, it is determined if, when, and/or what kind of measures should be taken for minimizing the additional operational costs. According to the method, the improvement measures are initiated as a function of the cause of the additional operational costs according to a hierarchal catalog of measures. The measures are: an immediate intervention into the operational course; a later measure implemented during a short shutdown; a later measure implemented during a service shutdown; and/or an operational downtime for a revision.

Abstract: Extracted geothermal fluid (which may comprise geothermal liquid or brine) is used to operate a power plant by applying the extracted geothermal fluid to a vaporizer containing pre-heated working fluid for producing vaporized working fluid and from which heat depleted geothermal fluid is extracted. A portion of the heat depleted geothermal fluid is applied to a pre-heater containing liquid working fluid for producing the pre-heated working fluid, and for producing further heat depleted geothermal fluid. The vaporized working fluid is expanded in a turbogenerator for generating power and producing expanded vaporized working fluid; and, the expanded vaporized working fluid produced by the turbogenerator is condensed into liquid working fluid that is pre-heated. The portion of said heat depleted geothermal fluid that is not applied to said pre-heater and the further heat depleted geothermal fluid are separately re-injected into the ground.

Abstract: In conjunction with a method and apparatus for regulating the power of a steam power plant block, an improved method and an improved apparatus for restoration of a given throttling of the turbine inlet valves as a conclusion to a regulating process for stabilizing a sudden or abrupt elevation of the load set point is proposed by the invention. The necessary storage of fresh steam takes place without influencing the electrical output power or the regulating devices necessary for regulating it with the aid of a separate closed control circuit.

Abstract: A control for the fuel input to a once-through boiler connected to supply steam through a throttle valve to a turbine-generator so that the rate of energy delivery to the boiler matches the rate of energy demand on the boiler as represented by demand signal. The fuel control involves comparing a demand signal indicative of the desired energy output rate for boiler with a signal indicative of the heat released to the furnace of the boiler and controlling the fuel input rate with a proportional and integral controller so that the fuel feed rate, such as coal feeder speed, is controlled so as to bring the signals into equality. The heat release signal is obtained by first calculating a lagged value of a quantity which corresponds to boiler output, such as steam flow or turbine first stage pressure, divided by fuel feed rate, such as feeder speed. That lagged quantity is then multiplied by a quantity corresponding to the value of the fuel feed rate.

Abstract: Indirectly fired gas turbine engine systems which can be operated on alternative or renewable fuels or by waste heat. Fast response time over the entire operating range of the engine, precise control over turbine inlet temperature, and water injection for increased power output are featured as are arrangements for dumping air and thereby preventing mechanical damage when rapid deceleration occurs or the load is lost. Other mechanical innovations facilitate start-up and shut-down of the turbine engine; make preheated process air available; and provide precise control over the thermal energy supplied to the heat exchanger in which compressor discharge air is heated.

Abstract: A control apparatus for electric power plant comprises turbine speed control means for detecting the speed of a turbine coupled to an electric generator to control the turbine speed by controlling a steam flow supplied to the turbine on the basis of the detected speed, pressure control means for controlling the pressure in a steam generator on the basis of the pressure of the steam generator, and correcting means for correcting the steam flow supplied to the turbine only when fluctuation in the pressure of the steam generator brought about by rapid change of a set load value is deviated from a predetermined range in which the steam pressure is allowed to vary, the correction of the steam flow being made in correspondence to the deviation.

Abstract: In a plant including a multiplicity of energy conversion units which together supply load upon demand to a given process through a common junction, a system is included to economically optimize the load distribution among the multiple units dynamically during the transition of process load demand from one state to another such that when the process load supply reaches the other process demand state, the energy conversion units are substantially in their economically optimum individual load generating states.

Abstract: A cogeneration plant is disclosed in which the feedwater from the deaerator heater is placed in heat exchange relation with the makeup water before the makeup water is delivered to the deaerator heater. The amount of heat transferred from the feedwater to the makeup water is controlled in response to the stack gas temperature. The feedwater from the heat exchanger is then placed in heat exchange relation with the stack gas, either in the economizer or through a separate coil, to take advantage of waste heat that would otherwise be lost.