Distributed model predictive control of steam/water loop in large scale ships

In modern steam power plants, the ever-increasing complexity requires great reliability and flexibility of the control system. Hence, in this paper, the feasibility of a distributed model predictive control (DiMPC) strategy with an extended prediction self-adaptive control (EPSAC) framework is studied, in which the multiple controllers allow each sub-loop to have its own requirement flexibility. Meanwhile, the model predictive control can guarantee a good performance for the system with constraints. The performance is compared against a decentralized model predictive control (DeMPC) and a centralized model predictive control (CMPC). In order to improve the computing speed, a multiple objective model predictive control (MOMPC) is proposed. For the stability of the control system, the convergence of the DiMPC is discussed. Simulation tests are performed on the five different sub-loops of steam/water loop. The results indicate that the DiMPC may achieve similar performance as CMPC while outperforming the DeMPC method

The application of a new PID autotuning method for the steam/water loop in large scale ships

In large scale ships, the most used controllers for the steam/water loop are still the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers. However, the tuning rules for the PID parameters are based on empirical knowledge and the performance for the loops is not satisfying. In order to improve the control performance of the steam/water loop, the application of a recently developed PID autotuning method is studied. Firstly, a 'forbidden region' on the Nyquist plane can be obtained based on user-defined performance requirements such as robustness or gain margin and phase margin. Secondly, the dynamic of the system can be obtained with a sine test around the operation point. Finally, the PID controller's parameters can be obtained by locating the frequency response of the controlled system at the edge of the 'forbidden region'. To verify the effectiveness of the new PID autotuning method, comparisons are presented with other PID autotuning methods, as well as the model predictive control. The results show the superiority of the new PID autotuning method

Effect of control horizon in model predictive control for steam/water loop in large-scale ships

This paper presents an extensive analysis of the properties of different control horizon sets in an Extended Prediction Self-Adaptive Control (EPSAC) model predictive control framework. Analysis is performed on the linear multivariable model of the steam/water loop in large-scale watercraft/ships. The results indicate that larger control horizon values lead to better loop performance, at the cost of computational complexity. Hence, it is necessary to find a good trade-off between the performance of the system and allocated or available computational complexity. In this original work, this problem is explicitly treated as an optimization task, leading to the optimal control horizon sets for the steam/water loop example. Based on simulation results, it is concluded that specific tuning of control horizons outperforms the case when only a single valued control horizon is used for all the loops

Robust nonlinear adaptive backstepping controller design for power system applications including renewable energy systems

This thesis has developed robust nonlinear backstepping and adaptive backstepping controllers for power networks. Comprehensive control solutions are provided for conventional and modern power generation systems including DC microgrids. One of the excellent features of these controllers is the robustness against parameter uncertainties and measurement noises

State Feedback H

A new state feedback H∞ control scheme is presented used in the boiler-turbine power units based on an improved particle swarm optimizing algorithm. Firstly, the nonlinear system is transformed into a linear time-varying system; then the H∞ control problem is transformed into the solution of a Riccati equation. The control effect of H∞ controller depends on the selection of matrix P, so an improved particle swarm optimizing (PSO) algorithm by introducing differential evolution algorithm is used to solve the Riccati equation. The main purpose is that mutation and crossover are introduced for a new population, and the population diversity is improved. It is beneficial to eliminate stagnation caused by premature convergence, and the algorithm convergence rate is improved. Finally, the real-time optimizing of the controller parameters is realized. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that a state feedback H∞ controller can be obtained, which can ensure asymptotic stability of the system, and the double objectives of stabilizing system and suppressing the disturbance are got. The system can work well over a large range working point

Temperature Control via Affine Nonlinear Systems for Intermediate Point of Supercritical Once-Through Boiler Units

For the operation of the supercritical once-through boiler generation units, the control of the temperature at intermediate point (IPT) is highly significant. IPT is the steam temperature at the outlet of the separator. Currently, PID control algorithms are widely adopted for the IPT control. However, PID cannot achieve the optimal performances as the units’ dynamic characteristic changes at different working points due to the severe nonlinearity. To address the problem, a new control algorithm using affine nonlinear system is adopted for a 600 MW unit in this paper. In order to establish the model of IPT via affine nonlinear system, the simplified mechanism equations on the evaporation zone and steam separator of the unit are established. Then, the feedback linearizing control law can be obtained. Full range simulations with the load varying from 100% to 30% are conducted. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm, the performance of the new method is compared with the results of the PID control. The feed-water flow disturbances are considered in simulations of both of the two control methods. The comparison shows the new method has a better performance with a quicker response time and a smaller overshoot, which demonstrates the potential improvement for the supercritical once-through boiler generation unit control

A Survey of Decentralized Adaptive Control

Systems with multi inputs and multi outputs are in common controlled by centralized controllers, multivariable controllers or by a set of single input and single output controllers. The decentralized systems dominated in industry and can be found in a broad spectrum of applications ranging from robotics to civil engineering. Approaches to decentralized control design differ from each other in the assumptions ? kind of interaction, the model of the system, the model of information exchange and the control design. One of the useful approaches to decentralized control problems was the parametrization. During last years it was proven that it seems to be perspective to combine predictive and decentralized control, for example unconstrained decentralized model predictive control or adaptive decentralized control using recurrent fuzzy neural networks. Another task is to use automatic decentralized control structure selection. Adaptive control enlarges the area of usage at decentralized controllers. AdaptiveZ(MSM7088352101

Advances in Condition Monitoring, Optimization and Control for Complex Industrial Processes

The book documents 25 papers collected from the Special Issue “Advances in Condition Monitoring, Optimization and Control for Complex Industrial Processes”, highlighting recent research trends in complex industrial processes. The book aims to stimulate the research field and be of benefit to readers from both academic institutes and industrial sectors

Optimisation, Optimal Control and Nonlinear Dynamics in Electrical Power, Energy Storage and Renewable Energy Systems

The electrical power system is undergoing a revolution enabled by advances in telecommunications, computer hardware and software, measurement, metering systems, IoT, and power electronics. Furthermore, the increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, energy storage devices, and electric vehicles and the drive for energy efficiency have pushed power systems to modernise and adopt new technologies. The resulting smart grid is characterised, in part, by a bi-directional flow of energy and information. The evolution of the power grid, as well as its interconnection with energy storage systems and renewable energy sources, has created new opportunities for optimising not only their techno-economic aspects at the planning stages but also their control and operation. However, new challenges emerge in the optimization of these systems due to their complexity and nonlinear dynamic behaviour as well as the uncertainties involved.This volume is a selection of 20 papers carefully made by the editors from the MDPI topic “Optimisation, Optimal Control and Nonlinear Dynamics in Electrical Power, Energy Storage and Renewable Energy Systems”, which was closed in April 2022. The selected papers address the above challenges and exemplify the significant benefits that optimisation and nonlinear control techniques can bring to modern power and energy systems