Abstract: A chemical energy power plant includes control of steam temperature to prevent turbine damage while allowing throttling of the power output level and rapid response to commands for changed power output level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine. An adaptive temperature controller establishes a target temperature for controlling the boiler temperature so that the steam admitted on the boiler follows a constant enthalpy when trying to match temperature of steam and rotor temperature.

Abstract: Boiler optimization is included in on-line control of parallel boilers by multiplying the total heat per unit time which must be supplied to all parallel boilers by the percentage of the total heat which should be supplied to each boiler in order to substantially maximize energy efficiency. The result of such multiplication is the heat per unit time which should be supplied to each boiler. The fuel and air supplied to each boiler is controlled so as to supply the thus determined heat per unit time which not only results in maintenance of a desired header pressure but also results in substantially maximizing energy efficiency of the parallel boilers.

Abstract: Boiler optimization is included in on-line control of parallel boilers by multiplying the total heat per unit time which must be supplied to all parallel boilers by the percentage of the total heat which should be supplied to each boiler by primary and secondary fuels in order to substantially maximize energy efficiency. The result of such multiplication is the heat per unit time which should be supplied to each boiler by the primary and secondary fuels. The fuel and air supplied to each boiler is controlled so as to supply the thus determined heat per unit time which not only results in maintenance of a desired header pressure but also results in substantially maximizing energy efficiency of the parallel boilers even where multiple fuels are combusted to supply heat.

Abstract: Fuel and oxidant feed rates into a gasifier 202 are regulated by monitoring overall output 14 and comparing with a pre-selected setpoint valve 10. An overall load demand signal 50, responsive to this comparision is generated and used as an input to control 102 oxidant feed rate. The heating value of the product gas is measured 76 and used to control 64 overall fuel feed rate to the gasifier 202. For a two stage slagging gasifier, the present invention controls 114 fuel feed rate to the slagging stage 210 responsive to the measured slagging stage reaction temperature 128.

Abstract: A closed Rankine-cycle power plant (10) has a boiler (24) for vaporizing an organic working fluid and a first nozzle box (58) for receiving vaporized working fluid from the boiler (24) and for furnishing the fluid to a set of axial flow turbine blades (30) located on the periphery of a turbine rotor (50). The vaporized working fluid from the nozzle box (58) expands on passing through the blades (30) producing work that drives a generator (34) coupled to the turbine (28). A second nozzle box (62) receives vaporized working fluid that exits from the axial flow blades (30) on the rotor (50) and applies the working fluid to a second set of radial flow blades (66) on the rotor (50) adjacent the second nozzle box (62).

Abstract: A self-starting, fuel fired, air heating system including a fuel burner fired vapor generator, a turbine, and a condenser connected in a closed circuit such that the vapor output from the vapor generator is conducted to the turbine and then to the condenser where it is condensed for return to the vapor generator. The turbine drives an air blower which passes air over the condenser for cooling the condenser and heating the air. Also, a condensate pump is driven by the turbine. The disclosure is particularly concerned with a method and apparatus which on start-up prevents the vapor generator's vapor output from being conducted to the turbine until a predetermined pressure differential has been achieved. However, after the vapor flow is once permitted, it cannot again be prevented until after the fuel burner has been shut off and restarted.

Abstract: A method of controlling the start of a thermal power plant having a turbine, a boiler for generating superheated steam to drive the turbine, a fuel source for supplying fuel to the boiler, fuel supply controller for controlling the fuel supply from the fuel source to the boiler, and the like. The method includes a step for calculating a desired temperature of combustion gas in the boiler and, in addition, a step of feeding a process factor indicative of the start mode of the turbine. Hence the temperature of combustion gas in the boiler is controlled according not only to the start condition of the boiler but also to the start condition of the turbine, thus reducing the time necessary to start the thermal power plant.

Abstract: This application is directed to a method and apparatus for improving the useful thermal yield of a saturated water flashed steam source over a wide range of steam turbine load. A flash tank pressure control in its simplest form maintains constant steam pressure with variable input water flow and inlet water enthalpy. This permits optimizing a design point relationship between water temperature, water flow, flash tank steam pressure and turbine stage pressure. If turbine stage pressure is used as a reference to reduce the flash tank steam pressure for part load operation, then more steam is available from a given flow of saturated water, and the throttling loss through the pressure control valve can be minimized.

Abstract: Steam generation means in a closed system having a pressured steam boiler positioned within a closed heated feed water chamber. The steam generated in the boiler is used to drive a turbine and an associated electrical generator whose output augments the outside primary source of electrical power which is fed to one or more electrical resistance units located in the boiler. The exhaust steam from the turbine at reduced pressure is used to supply heat in any closed steam consuming device such as a space heating system. The condensate is returned to the feed water chamber where it is held in preheated condition ready to be pumped into the boiler to maintain the boiler water level. The efficiency of the system is substantially increased by having means for raising the temperature of the turbine and turbine housing thereby to lessen the temperature drop of the steam entering and leaving the turbine.

Abstract: A system for regulating the rate of closing of the turbine intake valve of a steam turbine plant is disclosed. A steam turbine is supplied from a steam generator through a turbine intake valve. A branch line conducts the steam to a bypass valve which is normally closed. In the event of conditions making it necessary to close the turbine intake valve rapidly, a regulator is provided to control the rate of closing of the turbine intake valve and the opening of the bypass valve so that the pressure conditions in the steam generator do not exceed the limits established by the manufacturer. Pressure measuring instruments are placed in the system to sense the pressure immediately upstream from the turbine intake valve and the bypass valve as well as the initial steam supply pressure. These pressure signals are transmitted to a computer which produces a control signal in accordance with predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An automatic control system enabling comprehensive operation of a reheat steam turbine with sliding or constant pressure boilers. The control system includes an HP control valve for regulating steam flow to the high-pressure turbine according to load and speed demands, an intercept valve for regulating steam flow to the low-pressure turbine and for reheater pressure control, and a bypass flow system for bypassing excess boiler steam during periods of low loading. The bypass system includes a high-pressure bypass sub-system and a low-pressure bypass sub-system, each having a flow control valve and provision for desuperheating the steam. A signal indicative of actual load demand (ALD) and proportional to the product of boiler pressure and main control valve flow demand is produced. From the ALD signal, reference functions are generated to effect control of the bypass valves.

Abstract: The specification discloses a solar power plant which utilizes a sun-tracking parabolic collector and a plurality of energy storage and conversion devices, all of which are operated under the control of a novel energy management system. Allocation of energy to a particular storage component or to useful output is dependent upon the state of the system as well as the nature of the demand. Outputted energy may also be recaptured and reallocated to minimize losses. Efficiency at the component level is enhanced by the utilization of novel heat exchangers which effectuate complete conversion of the operating liquid to superheated gas.

Abstract: An automatic control is provided for fast restarts of a hot power plant. Boiler fuel demand is increased to reach a target load based on measured turbine metal temperature and throttle pressure. Fine tuning of the fuel demand is performed to achieve an actual match between the turbine and steam temperatures. Turbine bypass valves are operated during boiler firing the control steam pressure to a programmed pressure setpoint. Boiler firing rate is high limited by total boiler outlet steam to avoid flow overheating and bypass valve position is low limited in accordance with steam flow and throttle pressure to avoid excessively low steam flow. Reheater controls are operated to match intermediate turbine temperature and reheat steam temperature.

Abstract: A method and means for controlling the throttle pressure of a fuel fired drum type boiler by controlling the fuel input to the boiler so as to equalize the boiler demand, calculated as the product of a quantity proportional to the rate of energy output from the boiler at the existing throttle pressure times the ratio of the desired throttle pressure to the existing throttle pressure, and the heat released to the boiler by the fuel, calculated as the sum of a quantity proportional to boiler output and the measured rate of change of drum pressure.

Abstract: Control of the throttle pressure in a drum boiler-turbine system is accomplished by controlling the rate of fuel feed with a cascade control system. When fuel feed cannot be directly measured, but is computed from boiler output, the controllers in the system are decoupled to prevent their interaction. The primary control responds to throttle pressure deviation to produce a heat release demand signal which is compared to the calculated heat release. A signal produced by summing components of the heat release calculation, namely steam flow and rate of change of drum pressure, is used to cancel out any contribution to the input to the primary controller by changes in throttle pressure resulting from disturbances in the fuel feed, which disturbances will be corrected by the secondary or fuel feed controller.

Abstract: A control device for turbines with speed and load control, in which the load control includes an integrator with or without an output value limiter. The speed control and the load control are functionally independent of each other over the entire working range. The speed control likewise includes an integrator, and the outputs of the two controls are conveyed to a MIN-member as input signals while the smaller input becomes the output signal of the MIN-member and takes over the positioning of the turbine inlet valve.

Abstract: The temperature and pressure of the vapor generated in a vapor generating unit are so controlled that a fuel supply valve is opened for fuel delivery when the temperature or pressure drops below a predetermined lower limit and is closed when the temperature or pressure exceeds a predetermined upper limit, provided that a vehicle operator manipulable throttle valve is substantially in a fixed position. As the throttle valve is abruptly moved, an acceleration or deceleration signal opens or closes the fuel supply valve independently of the actual vapor temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A boiler control regulates the input fuel and air to satisfy load demand. Simultaneously, fuel flow is adjusted by fuel flow control to correct for changes in fuel heating value. A computer circuit which generates a heat balance ratio of outlet steam flow and input mass fuel flow as a representation of imbalance between presumed heat input and actual heat output and by inference from the imbalance or change in fuel heating value. The heat balance ratio is multiplied against an actual fuel feedback signal and the ratio corrected signal is applied to the fuel flow control.

Abstract: A boiler control regulates the input fuel and air to satisfy load demand. Simultaneously, the air flow is adjusted by an air flow control to correct for changes in fuel heating value by means of a circuit which operates in response to outlet steam flow and input mass fuel flow to determine the difference in presumed heat input and actual heat output and, by inference from the heat imbalance or error, a change in fuel heating value. The heat error is used to adjust the air flow demand to the air flow control. In another embodiment, boiler heat pickup is derived to remove from the heat imbalance any heat input changes other than fuel heating value changes.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes gas and steam turbines and a steam generator for recovering the heat in the exhaust gases exited from the gas turbine and for using the recovered heat to produce and supply steam to the steam turbine. The steam generator includes a superheater tube through which a fluid, e.g. water, is directed to be additionally heated into superheated steam by the exhaust gas turbine gases. An afterburner further heats the exhaust gas turbine gases passed to the superheater tube. The temperature of the gas turbine exhaust gases is sensed for varying the fuel flow to the afterburner by a fuel valve, whereby the temperatures of the gas turbine exhaust gases and therefore of the superheated steam, are controlled. Further, override signals are generated to prevent the temperature of the superheated steam from falling below a predetermined minimum level and for preventing the temperature and pressure of the superheated steam from exceeding maximum levels.

Abstract: In a steam turbine plant with feed water heaters receiving steam extracted from the turbine to apply in heat exchange with the feed water being supplied to the boiler, the drain water level in the water heaters is monitored so that when the drain level exceeds a predetermined abnormal level, for example due to rupture of the feed water pipes in the feed water heater, steam supplied to the turbine is automatically reduced to runback the load on the turbine, and thereafter the extraction of the steam to the malfunctioning feed water heater from the turbine is stopped and the feed water heater is bypassed with respect to the feed water flowing to the boiler, so that the malfunctioning feed water heater is thus isolated from the turbine plant.

Abstract: The closed gas turbine plant is fitted with at least one by-pass valve serving as an adjusting member for the working medium cycle, and uses measuring transformers for measuring the working medium cycle high and low pressures as well as the actual and nominal speeds of the turbine. A regulator has a first regulator part including an integrator, and the difference signal, between the speed nominal value and the speed actual value, is processed in this first regulator part. The regulator has a second regulator part in which signals representative of the working medium cycle high pressure and the working medium cycle low pressure are combined in an adding manner and the output signals of the two regulator parts are supplied to a third regulator part which controls the by-pass valve or valves.

Abstract: In a turbine powered generating system the rate of fuel flow for auxiliary firing of a steam turbine is automatically controlled to control the generation of steam for the turbine in accordance with turbine operating parameters and system power demands. Fuel flow rates are controlled within program selected limits to minimize stresses on the steam turbine, thus increasing the performance and life expectancy of the turbine.

Abstract: As an improved way of effecting fast valving of turbines of power system steam-electric generating units for the purpose of improving the stability of power transmission over transmission circuits to which their generators make connection .Iadd., .Iaddend.when stability is threatened by line faults and certain other stability endangering events, and in which intercept valves are rapidly closed on a momentary basis, the procedure of intercept valve closure is supplemented by simultaneously initiating turbine and steam supply source control programs, which (a) .[.being.]. .Iadd.bring .Iaddend.into effect a sustained reduction in turbine driving power via employment of measures which may include full closing of some or all control valves and/or employment of preprogrammed control valve repositioning, with provision to automatically divert high pressure steam to the condenser or to atmosphere as a way to prevent discharge of steam through high pressure safety valves.