Automated maximum sustained rate system and method
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- setting a ramp rate for an electric source;
monitoring operating parameters at components of the source including one or more of a boiler, a steam turbine, an electric generator, and a stack;
computing rates of change or discrepancies of the operating parameters over time; and
providing output signals as a result of said monitoring and said computing selectively to control one of the boiler, the turbine, or the generator,wherein said setting a ramp rate comprises utilizing the output signals selectively to vary the ramp rate based on the operating parameters,wherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from a distributed control system component remote from the electric source, andwherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from a solar generator source having a solar unit controller in communication with the distributed control system component.
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Abstract
In the context of electric power generation facilities, a system and method that enable control of maximum sustained rate of change in output to accommodate changing load conditions and to facilitate efficient use of system resources are disclosed. In accordance with aspects of the disclosed subject matter, a ramp rate for an electric generator source may be set, operating parameters may be monitored, rates of change or discrepancies of the operating parameters over time may be computed; and output signals may then be used selectively to control certain system components.
46 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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setting a ramp rate for an electric source; monitoring operating parameters at components of the source including one or more of a boiler, a steam turbine, an electric generator, and a stack; computing rates of change or discrepancies of the operating parameters over time; and providing output signals as a result of said monitoring and said computing selectively to control one of the boiler, the turbine, or the generator, wherein said setting a ramp rate comprises utilizing the output signals selectively to vary the ramp rate based on the operating parameters, wherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from a distributed control system component remote from the electric source, and wherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from a solar generator source having a solar unit controller in communication with the distributed control system component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An electric power generation system comprising:
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a generator source including a boiler, a steam turbine, an electric generator, and a stack, each of said boiler, turbine, generator, and stack comprising an associated control component; a unit controller in communication with the associated control component at each of said boiler, turbine, generator, and stack;
said unit controller configured and operative to perform a method comprising;setting a ramp rate for said generator source, the ramp rate indicative of a change in output level of said generator; receiving data representative of operating parameters from the associated control component at one or more of said boiler, turbine, generator, and stack; computing rates of change or discrepancies of the operating parameters over time; and providing output signals as a result of the receiving and the computing selectively to control one of said boiler, turbine, or generator; an additional generator source, an additional unit controller, and a distributed control system component in communication with said unit controller and said additional unit controller; and a solar generator source having a solar unit controller, wherein said distributed control system component is in communication with said solar unit controller, and setting a ramp rate comprises utilizing input from said solar unit controller. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of utilizing resources at an electric power generation facility, said method comprising:
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employing a plurality of electric power sources, each of the plurality of power sources including a boiler, a steam turbine, an electric generator, a stack, and a unit controller; providing a distributed control system component remote from the electrical power sources and in communication with the unit controller at each of the plurality of power sources; for each of the of power sources; setting a ramp rate, the ramp rate indicative of a change in output level of said generator; monitoring operating parameters of one or more of the boiler, turbine, generator, and stack; computing rates of change or discrepancies of the operating parameters over time; and providing output signals as a result of said monitoring and said computing selectively to control one of the boiler, the turbine, or the generator, wherein said setting a ramp rate comprises utilizing the output signals selectively to vary the ramp rate based on the operating parameters, wherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from the distributed control system component, and wherein said setting a ramp rate further comprises utilizing input from a solar generator source having a solar unit controller in communication with the distributed control system component; and receiving, at the distributed control system component, responsive to said monitoring, said computing, and said providing, data representative of the operating parameters at each of the plurality of power sources. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification