Generator monitoring, control and efficiency

• US 6,912,889 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2002
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Analytical, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Analytical, Inc. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Keyes, Marion A., Cacciatore, Gary G., Staphanos, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANK, RODNEY T
• Application Number:
  US10/079,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134083A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/233.1, 73/233.2, 73/232.1, 606/98, 607/05, 23/3, 340/3.1, 356/4.01, 375/362, 422/171, 431/12, 700/287, 705/7
• US Class Current: 73/23.31
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0208 characterized by the configuration of the monitoring system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0294 Optimizing process, e.g. process efficiency, product quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A system for generating electricity includes a generator and an interface. The generator is coupled to the interface and provides data to the interface regarding electricity generation. The interface is coupled to a control node for monitoring and controlling the generator. The control node may be coupled to the generator through a medium such as the internet. In some aspects of the invention, a continuous emissions monitoring system is provided for fossil-fuel based generators to enhance operation and reduce emissions of such generators.

Claims

1. An electricity generation system comprising:

a first generator;

a first controller coupled directly to the first generator;

a second generator;

a second controller coupled directly to the second generator;

a remote control and monitoring node coupled to the first and second controllers to monitor and control the first and second generators; and

wherein the first generator is a fossil-fuel based generator, and the first controller comprises a continuous emissions monitoring system to monitor qualitative emissions relative to the first generator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first generator includes a primary power source selected from a group consisting of a reciprocating diesel engine, reciprocating gas engine, gas turbine, steam turbine, package boiler, and waste heat boiler.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller includes an embedded personal computer (PC) controller.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller provides local monitoring and control relative to the first generator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller senses a phase of electricity in a power grid to match a phase of electricity generated by the first generator to that of the power grid.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the node is coupled to the first and second controllers through a communication medium selected from the group consisting of a wireless interface, a local area network interface, a wide area network interface, and a fiberoptic link.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control node includes an Application Service Provider.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller measures power output of the first generator.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first controller measured power generation cost of the first generator.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first controller measures thermal efficiency of the first generator.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller is adapted to receive data indicative of a parameter of the first generator, and provide an input to the first generator based upon an optimization algorithm.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of exhaust gas composition, unburned fuel in an emission stream, emission volume, emission heat, emission noise, engine speed, engine hours remaining before maintenance, engine throttle position, engine oil pressure, engine temperature, engine oil level and fuel composition.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the input is selected from the group consisting of a start signal, a shut-down signal, and a throttle signal.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the control node is adapted to report data relative to the system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the data facilitates area monitoring.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the node adjusts the first and second generators through their respective controllers to reduce aggregate pollution.

17. The system of claim 1, and further comprising Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) equipment adapted to monitor an environment of the first generator.