Optimization of a plurality of multiple-fuel fired boilers using iterated linear programming
First Claim
1. A method for optimizing control of a process having interdependent operating conditions determined by a control unit, the operating conditions including controlled supply of a substance, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining relationships in a linear programming matrix between the interdependent operating conditions, all constraints on the process sand a process variable for optimization;
(b) assigning initial values to matrix elements in the linear programming matrix;
(c) executing a computer program to solve the linear programming matrix;
(d) modifying selected matrix elements representing a set of the interdependent operating conditions according to a test strategy and adjusting any unselected matrix elements that require change due to said modifying;
(e) executing the computer program to produce a solution of the linear programming matrix after said modifying in step (d);
(f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each test defined by the test strategy until convergence of the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting in optimized operating conditions; and
(g) adjusting the controlled supply of the substance using the control unit to establish the optimized operating conditions indicated by the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting at the convergence in step (f).
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Abstract
A linear programming matrix is used to represent a complex process with many interrelated process variables. Assumptions are initially made regarding the values of the matrix elements, based on current or expected operation of the process. After the linear programming matrix is solved, the values of the coefficients are modified according to a test strategy and the linear programming matrix is again solved in an effort to obtain a better result. This process is repeated until solutions of matrix converge and the amount of modification of the matrix is minimal. One test strategy that can be used is SIMPLEX self-directing evolutionary operation. Another test strategy uses progressively more accurate linear approximations of nonlinear relationships in the linear programming matrix.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for optimizing control of a process having interdependent operating conditions determined by a control unit, the operating conditions including controlled supply of a substance, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) defining relationships in a linear programming matrix between the interdependent operating conditions, all constraints on the process sand a process variable for optimization; (b) assigning initial values to matrix elements in the linear programming matrix; (c) executing a computer program to solve the linear programming matrix; (d) modifying selected matrix elements representing a set of the interdependent operating conditions according to a test strategy and adjusting any unselected matrix elements that require change due to said modifying; (e) executing the computer program to produce a solution of the linear programming matrix after said modifying in step (d); (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each test defined by the test strategy until convergence of the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting in optimized operating conditions; and (g) adjusting the controlled supply of the substance using the control unit to establish the optimized operating conditions indicated by the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting at the convergence in step (f). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for controlling a process having interdependent operating conditions, the independent operating conditions including controlled supply of a substance, said apparatus comprising:
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input means for defining relationships between the operating conditions, all constraints on the process and a process variable to be optmized, in a linear programming matrix; computer means for assigning initial values to matrix elements in the linear programming matrix, for executing a computer program to solve the linear programming matrix and for modifying selected matrix elements representing a set of the operating conditions according to a test strategy and adjusting any matrix elements that require change due to the modifying until convergence of the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting in optimized operating conditions; and control means for controlling the supply of the substance to establish the optmized operating conditions indicated by the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting at the convergence of the solution of the linear programming matrix.
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11. A method for optimizing production of steam from at least three boilers, each boiler capable of receiving at least three fuels in a fuel mixture determined by a control unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) defining relationships in a linear programming matrix between all constraints on the system, a process variable for optimization, each fuel flow times a corresponding heating value coefficient and the steam produced by each of the boilers times a corresponding efficiency coefficient; (b) assigning initial values to matrix elements in the linear programming matrix; (c) executing a computer program to solve the linear programming matrix; (d) modifying load distribution on the boilers according to a simplex self-directing evolutionary operation test strategy and adjusting each heating value and efficiency coefficient as necessary due to nonlinearity between fuel flow and steam produced; (e) executing the computer program to produce a solution of the linear programming matrix after said modifying in step (d); (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each test defined by the simplex self-directing evolutionary operation test strategy until convergence of the solution of the linear programming matrix; and (g) adjusting the fuel mixture using the control unit of at least one of the boilers to establish the operating conditions indicated by the solution of the linear programming matrix resulting at the convergence in step (f). - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification