Method and apparatus for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine
First Claim
1. A method for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining influences of gate positions on at least one operating parameter of interest;
(b) monitoring levels of a plurality of operating parameters during the pumping mode of operation of the pump-turbine;
(c) based on the influences determined in step (a) and on the monitored levels, selecting a desired gate position to optimize the at least one parameter of interest; and
(d) positioning the gates in the desired gate position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique is disclosed for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine unit while operating normally in the pumping mode by identifying gate positions resulting in optimization of certain parameters of interest. Influences of gate positions on the optimized parameters is determined and used to evaluate the combined effect of the gate position on the parameters. Weighting coefficients may be used to alter the relative importance of each parameter in the gate position ultimately selected. Gate positions are optimized for each location in a multi-dimensional virtual cam matrix as conditions defining the locations are encountered. A parameter error or evaluation routine is provided for evaluating the consistency of monitored parameter values and for identifying trends that may require reconfiguration of the virtual cam matrix or alterations in the optimization routine, such as changes in the weighting of various parameters. The technique may be used to identify gate positions for one parameter of interest, such as pumping efficiency, or a number of parameters simultaneously to improve productivity of the facility and avoid or delay maintenance costs caused by degradation influenced by gate settings.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A method for optimizing performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) determining influences of gate positions on at least one operating parameter of interest; (b) monitoring levels of a plurality of operating parameters during the pumping mode of operation of the pump-turbine; (c) based on the influences determined in step (a) and on the monitored levels, selecting a desired gate position to optimize the at least one parameter of interest; and (d) positioning the gates in the desired gate position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for improving performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) positioning the gates in a plurality of positions during the pumping mode of operation; (b) monitoring levels of operating parameters of the unit when the gates are in each of the positions; (c) deriving parameter reference levels from the operating parameters; (d) comparing the parameter reference levels and determining, based upon the comparison, a desired gate position; and (e) storing in a memory circuit a desired position value representative of the desired gate position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for improving performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) determining influences of gate positions on a plurality of parameters of interest; (b) monitoring levels of the parameters of interest during the pumping mode of operation of the pump-turbine; (c) based on the influences determined in step (a) and on the monitored levels of the parameters of interest, generating an index value; (d) selecting a desired gate position to optimize the index value; and (e) positioning the gates in the desired position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for improving performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) dividing operating ranges of each of a plurality of operating parameters for the pump-turbine into a plurality of operating range segments to define a virtual cam matrix comprising matrix locations bounded by the operating range segments, the operating parameters including head, flow rate, power input level during the pumping of operation of the pump-turbine and at least one other operating parameter; (b) storing the virtual cam matrix in a memory circuit; (c) identifying optimal gate setting data for at least one of the matrix locations; and (d) storing the optimal gate setting data in the memory circuit for reference in positioning the gates when subsequent operating parameters levels are detected corresponding to the associated matrix location. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for improving performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of movable gates for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) monitoring a level of at least a first operating parameter of interest of the pump-turbine during the pumping mode of operation; (b) storing a parameter value representative of the monitored level in a memory circuit; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) over a predetermined time interval to generate a collection of parameter values representative of the monitored level over the time interval; (d) comparing the parameter values to identify a change in the monitored level; (e) comparing the change in the monitored level with a reference level; and (f) generating a signal indicative of a deviation from a predetermined relationship between the change and the reference level. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A system for improving performance of a pump-turbine power generating unit, the unit including a pump-turbine in fluid communication between a headwater reservoir and a tailwater reservoir, a motor-generator coupled to the pump-turbine for generating electrical power as water flows through the pump-turbine from the headwater reservoir to the tailwater reservoir during a turbining mode of operation and for driving the pump-turbine to displace water from the tailwater reservoir to the headwater reservoir during a pumping mode of operation, and a plurality of gates movable by at least one actuator for regulating flow through the pump-turbine, the system comprising:
-
at least one sensor for detecting an operating parameter of interest of the pump-turbine unit during the pumping mode of operation, and for generating parameter signals representative thereof; a memory circuit; and a control circuit coupled to the at least one sensor, to the memory circuit and to the at least one actuator, the control circuit being configured to identify influences of gate positions on the parameter of interest, to monitor the parameter signals, to determine, based on the parameter signals and the influences, a desired gate position, and to command movement of the at least one actuator for placing the gates in the desired gate position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification