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Method and apparatus for power plant simulation and optimization

  • US 5,347,466 A
  • Filed: 07/15/1991
  • Issued: 09/13/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for simulating operation of a powerhouse and optimizing the operating characteristics thereof, said powerhouse including at least one steam turbine driven electric generator and at least one boiler for generating steam for said turbine, in which predetermined constants include the electrical power demand required by a process plant powered by said powerhouse, the cost of purchased electric power required to satisfy said demand which cannot be supplied by said powerhouse, and the cost of fuel required to operate said boiler, said method comprising the steps of defining the operating characteristics of said generator which represent a generator output power which satisfies said demand or which represent the maximum capacity of said generator, said defined generator operating characteristics including the required steam flow from said boiler to operate said generator, defining the operating characteristics of said boiler which produce said required steam flow, said defined boiler operating characteristics including the amount of fuel per unit time to operate said boiler, calculating the operating cost for the power plant consisting of the cost of the fuel per unit time plus the cost of said purchased power per unit time, randomly varying a plurality of the operating characteristics of said generator and said boiler by simulation, calculating said operating cost associated with said simulated randomly varied operating characteristics, and iteratively repeating said simulated random varying of operating characteristics and calculation of operating costs until an optimized lower total operating cost is arrive at, and manifesting the operating characteristics associated with said lower operating cost.

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