Emissions management and policy making system

• US 20020065581A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ted S. Fasca
• Original Assignee: Ted S. Fasca
• Inventors: Fasca, Ted S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/266
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric

Abstract

A management tool that allows a manager to review historical data and perform forecasting simulations relating to pollutant emissions from power plants and the like is disclosed. The management tool allows the outcomes of various pollution control strategies to be simulated so that the pollution control strategy which yields the optimum result for the utility company can be selected. The system of the present invention uses real time data to automatically update the input parameters to the decision making process and revise the forecasted outcomes for the various strategies considered. The management tool of the present invention includes a computer programmed to perform the aforementioned simulations and one or more continuous emission monitors (CEMs) which are in constant communication with the computer.

Claims

1. A computerized method for determining the optimum strategy for controlling pollutant emissions from an electric power generating plant, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a historical data base for the electric power generating plant;

providing real time data;

predicting projected power generation requirements for a user specified future time period by using the historical data base and the real time data;

calculating a baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period using the projected power generation requirements;

displaying the baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period to a user;

displaying a pollutant emission limit for each pollutant over the user specified future time period;

displaying a list of pollution control options to the user;

calculating a projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period for a user selected pollution control option; and

displaying the projected emission rate over the user specified future time period for the user selected pollution control option.

2. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing a historical data base includes providing information as to hourly power generated, hourly amounts for each pollutant emitted, operating parameters of the electric power generating plant for each data point in the historical data base, and the type of fuel used for each data point in the historical data base for a first one year period.

3. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing real time data includes providing data on current power output, current emission rate for each pollutant emitted, current operating parameters of the electric power generating plant, and current type of fuel being used.

4. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said steps of displaying the baseline projected emission rate, displaying a pollutant emission limit, and displaying the projected emission rate include displaying on a graph for each pollutant.

5. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said steps of predicting projected power generation requirements, calculating a baseline projected emission rate, displaying the baseline projected emission rate, displaying a pollutant emission limit, displaying a list of pollution control options, calculating a projected emission rate, and displaying the projected emission rate are performed by a computer having a display screen.

6. A method for determining the optimum strategy for controlling pollutant emissions from an electric power generating plant, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a historical data base for the electric power generating plant including hourly power generated, hourly amounts for each pollutant emitted, operating parameters of the electric power generating plant for each data point in the historical data base, and type of fuel used for each data point in the historical data base for a first one year period;

providing real time data including current power output, current emission rate for each pollutant emitted, current operating parameters of the electric power generating plant, and current type of fuel being used;

predicting projected power generation requirements for a user specified future time period by using the historical data base and the real time data;

calculating a baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period using the projected power generation requirements;

displaying the baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period to a user, the baseline projected emission rate being displayed in a graph for each pollutant;

displaying a pollutant emission limit for each pollutant over the user specified future time period on the graph for each pollutant;

displaying a list of pollution control options to the user;

calculating a projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period for a user selected pollution control option; and

displaying the projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period for the user selected pollution control option on the graph for each pollutant, said steps of predicting projected power generation requirements, calculating a baseline projected emission rate, displaying the baseline projected emission rate, displaying a pollutant emission limit, displaying a list of pollution control options, calculating a projected emission rate, and displaying the projected emission rate being performed by a computer having a display screen.

7. A system for determining the optimum strategy for controlling pollutant emissions from an electric power generating plant, the system comprising:

at least one continuous emission monitoring device positioned proximate a site of pollutant emission within the electric power generating plant;

means for measuring power output from the electric power generating plant;

a computer system having memory means, processor means, display means, input means, first communication means communicating with said continuous emission monitoring device, and a second communication means communicating with said means for measuring power output;

a historical data base for the electric power generating plant including hourly power generated, hourly amounts for each pollutant emitted, operating parameters of the electric power generating plant for each data point in said historical data base, and type of fuel used for each data point in said historical data base being stored in said memory means for a first one year period;

real time data including current power output, current emission rate for each pollutant emitted, current operating parameters of the electric power generating plant, and current type of fuel being used, being received from said continuous emission monitoring device and said means for measuring power output and being stored in said memory means on a continuing basis;

said memory means also storing a control program which operates said processor means;

said processor means operating to predict projected power generation requirements for a user specified future time period by using said historical data base and said real time data;

said processor means operating to calculate a baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period using said projected power generation requirements;

said processor means operating said display means to display said baseline projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period to a user, said baseline projected emission rate being displayed in a graph for each pollutant;

said processor means operating said display means to display a pollutant emission limit for each pollutant over the user specified future time period on said graph for each pollutant;

said processor means operating said display means to display a list of pollution control options to the user;

said processor means operating to calculate a projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period for a user selected pollution control option; and

said processor means operating said display means to display said projected emission rate for each pollutant over the user specified future time period for the user selected pollution control option on said graph for each pollutant.