Thermal Power Plant Simulation And Control

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.

Thermal Power Plants: Modeling, Control, and Efficiency Improvement explains how to solve highly complex industry problems regarding identification, control, and optimization through integrating conventional technologies, such as modern control technology, computational intelligence-based multiobjective identification and optimization, distributed computing, and cloud computing with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology. Introducing innovative methods utilized in industrial applications, explored in scientific research, and taught at leading academic universities, this book: Discusses thermal power plant processes and process modeling, energy conservation, performance audits, efficiency improvement modeling, and efficiency optimization supported by high-performance computing integrated with cloud computing Shows how to simulate fossil fuel power plant real-time processes, including boiler, turbine, and generator systems Provides downloadable source codes for use in CORBA C++, MATLAB®, Simulink®, VisSim, Comsol, ANSYS, and ANSYS Fluent modeling software Although the projects in the text focus on industry automation in electrical power engineering, the methods can be applied in other industries, such as concrete and steel production for real-time process identification, control, and optimization.

This book describes thermal plant simulation, that is, dynamic simulation of plants which produce, exchange and otherwise utilize heat as their working medium. Directed at chemical, mechanical and control engineers involved with operations, control and optimization and operator training, the book gives the mathematical formulation and use of simulation models of the equipment and systems typically found in these industries. The author has adopted a fundamental approach to the subject. The initial chapters provide an overview of simulation concepts and describe a suitable computer environment. Reviews of relevant numerical computation methods and fundamental thermodynamics are followed by a detailed examination of the basic conservation equations. The bulk of the book is concerned with development of specific simulation models. Care is taken to trace each model derivation path from the basic underlying physical equations, explaining simplifying and restrictive assumptions as they arise and relating the model coefficients to the physical dimensions and physical properties of the working materials. Numerous photographs of real equipment complement the text and most models are illustrated by numerical examples based on typical real plant operations.

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.

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.

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.

The demand for electricity and heat production is still largely covered by conventional thermal power plants based on fossil fuel combustion. Thermal power stations face a big challenge to meet the environmental requirements constantly keeping high process efficiency and avoiding lifetime shortening of critical components. In recent years, many activities have been observed to reduce pollutant emissions and optimize performance in thermal power plants. Increased share of renewable sources of energy in domestic markets enforces flexible operation and fast adjustment to actual demand. Gas power plants start to play a very important role in this process, allowing for rapid change of load and emission reduction. Operation under changing load together with keeping emissions at the accurate level requires constantly introducing new solutions and technologies as well as carrying out many research and development activities for optimization of the electricity and heat production process. The edited book is aimed to present new technologies, innovative solutions, measurement techniques, tools and computational methods dedicated to thermal power plants in the light of new trends and challenges.

The book discusses instrumentation and control in modern fossil fuel power plants, with an emphasis on selecting the most appropriate systems subject to constraints engineers have for their projects. It provides all the plant process and design details, including specification sheets and standards currently followed in the plant. Among the unique features of the book are the inclusion of control loop strategies and BMS/FSSS step by step logic, coverage of analytical instruments and technologies for pollution and energy savings, and coverage of the trends toward filed bus systems and integration of subsystems into one network with the help of embedded controllers and OPC interfaces. The book includes comprehensive listings of operating values and ranges of parameters for temperature, pressure, flow, level, etc of a typical 250/500 MW thermal power plant. Appropriate for project engineers as well as instrumentation/control engineers, the book also includes tables, charts, and figures from real-life projects around the world. Covers systems in use in a wide range of power plants: conventional thermal power plants, combined/cogen plants, supercritical plants, and once through boilers Presents practical design aspects and current trends in instrumentation Discusses why and how to change control strategies when systems are updated/changed Provides instrumentation selection techniques based on operating parameters. Spec sheets are included for each type of instrument. Consistent with current professional practice in North America, Europe, and India