Modelling And Simulation Of Power Generation Plants

Many large-scale processes like refineries or power generation plant are constructed using the multi-vendor system and a main co-ordinating engineering contractor. With such a methodology. the key process units are installed complete with local proprietary control systems in place. Re-assessing the so called lower level control loop design or structure is becoming less feasible or desirable. Consequently, future comp~titive gains in large-scale industrial systems will arise from the closer and optimised global integration of the process sub-units. This is one of the inherent commercial themes which motivated the research reported in this monograph. To access the efficiency and feasibility of different large-scale system designs, the traditional tool has been the global steady-state analysis and energy balance. The process industries have many such tools encapsu lated as proprietary design software. However, to obtain a vital and critical insight into global process operation a dynamic model and simulation is necessary. Over the last decade, the whole state of the art in system simulation has irrevocably changed. The Graphical User Interface (G UI) and icon based simulation approach is now standard with hardware platforms becoming more and more powerful. This immediately opens the way to some new and advanced large-scale dynamic simulation developments. For example, click-together blocks from standard or specialised libraries of process units are perfectly feasible now.

This book explains the modelling and simulation of thermal power plants, and introduces readers to the equations needed to model a wide range of industrial energy processes. Also featuring a wealth of illustrative, real-world examples, it covers all types of power plants, including nuclear, fossil-fuel, solar and biomass. The book is based on the authors’ expertise and experience in the theory of power plant modelling and simulation, developed over many years of service with EDF. In more than forty examples, they demonstrate the component elements involved in a broad range of energy production systems, with detailed test cases for each chemical, thermodynamic and thermo-hydraulic model. Each of the test cases includes the following information: • component description and parameterization data; • modelling hypotheses and simulation results; • fundamental equations and correlations, with their validity domains; • model validation, and in some cases, experimental validation; and • single-phase flow and two-phase flow modelling equations, which cover all water and steam phases. A practical volume that is intended for a broad readership, from students and researchers, to professional engineers, this book offers the ideal handbook for the modelling and simulation of thermal power plants. It is also a valuable aid in understanding the physical and chemical phenomena that govern the operation of power plants and energy processes.

This monograph presents new methodologies to improve power plants' efficiency, by using automatic control algorithms. This will lead to an improvement in companies’ profit and also in the quality of their final product. A trans-Atlantic combination of authors ensures an unusually wide range of perspectives.

The book comprises the fundamentals of the numerical simulation of fluid flows as well as the modelling of a power plant and plant components. The fundamental equations for heat and mass transfer will be prepared for the application in the numerical simulation. Selected numerical methods will be discussed in detail. The book will deal with the gas as well as with the water/steam flow. Regulation and controller, simplified models and hybrid models as well as the validation of measurement data are also included in the book.

The book provides highly specialized researchers and practitioners with a major contribution to mathematical models’ developments for energy systems. First, dynamic process simulation models based on mixture flow and two-fluid models are developed for combined-cycle power plants, pulverised coal-fired power plants, concentrated solar power plant and municipal waste incineration. Operation data, obtained from different power stations, are used to investigate the capability of dynamic models to predict the behaviour of real processes and to analyse the influence of modeling assumptions on simulation results. Then, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation programme, so-called DEMEST, is developed. Here, the fluid-solid, particle-particle and particle-wall interactions are modeled by tracking all individual particles. To this purpose, the deterministic Euler-Lagrange/Discrete Element Method (DEM) is applied and further improved. An emphasis is given to the determination of inter-phase values, such as volumetric void fraction, momentum and heat transfers, using a new procedure known as the offset-method and to the particle-grid method allowing the refinement of the grid resolution independently from particle size. Model validation is described in detail. Moreover, thermochemical reaction models for solid fuel combustion are developed based on quasi-single-phase, two-fluid and Euler-Lagrange/MP-PIC models. Measurements obtained from actual power plants are used for validation and comparison of the developed numerical models.

An exploration of how advances in computing technology and research can be combined to extend the capabilities and economics of modern power plants. The contributors, from academia as well as practising engineers, illustrate how the various methodologies can be applied to power plant operation.

Faced with an ever-growing resource scarcity and environmental regulations, the last 30 years have witnessed the rapid development of various renewable power sources, such as wind, tidal, and solar power generation. The variable and uncertain nature of these resources is well-known, while the utilization of power electronic converters presents new challenges for the stability of the power grid. Consequently, various control and operational strategies have been proposed and implemented by the industry and research community, with a growing requirement for flexibility and load regulation placed on conventional thermal power generation. Against this background, the modelling and control of conventional thermal engines, such as those based on diesel and gasoline, are experiencing serious obstacles when facing increasing environmental concerns. Efficient control that can fulfill the requirements of high efficiency, low pollution, and long durability is an emerging requirement. The modelling, simulation, and control of thermal energy systems are key to providing innovative and effective solutions. Through applying detailed dynamic modelling, a thorough understanding of the thermal conversion mechanism(s) can be achieved, based on which advanced control strategies can be designed to improve the performance of the thermal energy system, both in economic and environmental terms. Simulation studies and test beds are also of great significance for these research activities prior to proceeding to field tests. This Special Issue will contribute a practical and comprehensive forum for exchanging novel research ideas or empirical practices that bridge the modelling, simulation, and control of thermal energy systems. Papers that analyze particular aspects of thermal energy systems, involving, for example, conventional power plants, innovative thermal power generation, various thermal engines, thermal energy storage, and fundamental heat transfer management, on the basis of one or more of the following topics, are invited in this Special Issue: • Power plant modelling, simulation, and control; • Thermal engines; • Thermal energy control in building energy systems; • Combined heat and power (CHP) generation; • Thermal energy storage systems; • Improving thermal comfort technologies; • Optimization of complex thermal systems; • Modelling and control of thermal networks; • Thermal management of fuel cell systems; • Thermal control of solar utilization; • Heat pump control; • Heat exchanger control.

Simulation of Power System with Renewables provides details on the modelling and efficient implementation of MATLAB, particularly with a renewable energy driven power system. The book presents a step-by-step approach to modelling implementation, including all major components used in current power systems operation, giving the reader the opportunity to learn how to gather models for conventional generators, wind farms, solar plants and FACTS control devices. Users will find this to be a central resource for modelling, building and simulating renewable power systems, including discussions on its limitations, assumptions on the model, and the implementation and analysis of the system. Presents worked examples and equations in each chapter that address system limitations and flexibility Provides step-by-step guidance for building and simulating models with required data Contains case studies on a number of devices, including FACTS, and renewable generation