Study on the Structure Optimization and the Operation Scheme Design of a Double-Tube Once-Through Steam Generator

AbstractA double-tube once-through steam generator (DOTSG) consisting of an outer straight tube and an inner helical tube is studied in this work. First, the structure of the DOTSG is optimized by considering two different objective functions. The tube length and the total pressure drop are considered as the first and second objective functions, respectively. Because the DOTSG is divided into the subcooled, boiling, and superheated sections according to the different secondary fluid states, the pitches in the three sections are defined as the optimization variables. A multi-objective optimization model is established and solved by particle swarm optimization. The optimization pitch is small in the subcooled region and superheated region, and large in the boiling region. Considering the availability of the optimum structure at power levels below 100% full power, we propose a new operating scheme that can fix the boundaries between the three heat-transfer sections. The operation scheme is proposed on the basis of data for full power, and the operation parameters are calculated at low power level. The primary inlet and outlet temperatures, as well as flow rate and secondary outlet temperature are changed according to the operation procedure

Experimental and industrial method of synthesis of optimal control of the temperature region of cupola melting

The object of research is the temperature regime of melting in a cupola. The synthesis of optimal control of such an object is associated with the presence of a problem consisting in the complexity of its mathematical description and the absence of procedures that allow one to obtain optimal control laws. These problems are due to the presence of links with a pure delay, non-additive random drift, and difficulties in controlling the process parameters, in particular, accurately determining the temperature profile along the horizons and the periphery of the working space of the cupola. The proposed conceptual solution for the synthesis of optimal temperature control allows the use of two levels of control: the level controller solves the problem of maintaining the constant height of the idle charge, and the problem of increasing the temperature of cast iron is solved by controlling the air supply to the tuyere box. It is shown that the problem of regulating the upper level of an idle charge can be solved by reducing the model of the regulation process to a typical form, followed by the use of the Pontryagin maximum principle. A procedure for the synthesis of optimal air flow control is proposed, which makes it possible to obtain the temperature regime control law on the basis of experimental industrial studies preceding the synthesis process. This takes into account the time delay between the impact on the object and its reaction, which makes it possible to predict the temperature value one step acharge, equal to the time interval during which the lower surface of the fuel charge reaches the upper surface of the level of the idle charge. A procedure for temperature profile control based on the use of D-optimal plans for selecting sensor installation points is proposed. Due to this, it becomes possible to determine the temperature profile of the cupola according to its horizons and the periphery of the working space of the cupola with maximum accuracy. The proposed synthesis method can be used in iron foundries equipped with cupolas, as it is a tool for studying a real production process, taking into account its specific conditions. This will allow developing or improving control systems for cupola melting, implementing different control modes: manual, automated or automati