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AUTO OPTIMIZING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE PLANTS

  • US 20110203278A1
  • Filed: 02/25/2010
  • Published: 08/25/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A waste heat recovery plant based on organic Rankine cycles, the plant comprising:

  • one or more primary heaters configured to receive a pressurized working fluid stream and heat from one or more external heat sources and to generate a vapor stream in response thereto;

    at least one expander configured to receive the vapor stream and to generate power and an expanded stream there from in response to expander control signals selected from expander speed control signals when at least one expander comprises a variable speed expander and expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals when at least one expander comprises inlet guide vanes with a variable pitch;

    a condensing system comprising one or more variable speed fans and configured to receive and cool the expanded stream and to generate a cooled working fluid stream there from in response to variable speed fan control signals;

    one or more variable speed pumps configured to pressurize the cooled working fluid stream in preparation for reintroducing it into the primary heater as a pressurized working fluid stream in response to variable speed pump control signals;

    one or more control valves configured to control at least one of pressurized working fluid stream flow, cooled working fluid steam flow, vapor stream control, expanded stream control and heat flow, in response to valve position control signals; and

    a control system configured to generate the expander speed control signals when at least one expander comprises a variable speed expander, expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals when at least one expander comprises inlet guide vanes with a variable pitch, variable speed fan control signals, variable speed pump control signals, and valve position control signals in response to an algorithmic optimization software to substantially maximize power output or efficiency of the waste heat recovery plant during mismatching temperature levels of external heat sources, during changing heat loads coming from the heat sources, and during changing ambient conditions and working fluid properties.

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