Computer control of combined-cycle power plants
Journal Article
·
· IEEE Spectrum; (United States)
Combined-cycle power plants using gas-turbine and steam-turbine technology have a number of features that make them attractive to the electric utility industry, including low capital investment per kilowatt of generation; low daily operational costs; and capability for use as a base-load unit as well as a peaking station; with very fast start capabilities. And there is increasing interest in future use of low-energy gas from coal for combined-cycle power plants. Since this gas is clean burning, some air pollution problems can be avoided compared with power plants dependent on coal-fired steam generation by itself. Another factor that makes combined-cycle plants attractive to utilities is the ready availability of factory-constructed portable control rooms providing computer control systems that load units automatically to achieve a desired megawatt demand. Control systems, such as the one described, start each piece of equipment, accelerate and synchronize the turbine generators, and direct a complete plant shutdown in the event of a normal stop mode. Software in the system controls gas-turbine blade temperature and regulates steam-throttle pressure. Combined-cycle power plants with computer control are now in service at seven locations in the United States and Mexico, and two plants in the U.S. are in the start-up stage. All of these plants use the control system to be described.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh
- OSTI ID:
- 5290082
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Spectrum; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Spectrum; (United States) Vol. 14:10; ISSN IEESA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Entrained gasification combined-cycle control study. Volume 3: model descriptions. Final report
Combined cycle electric power plant and a gas turbine having improved megawatt load control
Development of high-temperature subsystem technology to a technology readiness state: phase I. First quarterly technical progress report, June--August 1976. [Industrial open-cycle gas turbine; coal-derived fuel]
Technical Report
·
Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980
·
OSTI ID:6072884
Combined cycle electric power plant and a gas turbine having improved megawatt load control
Patent
·
Tue May 06 00:00:00 EDT 1980
·
OSTI ID:5516548
Development of high-temperature subsystem technology to a technology readiness state: phase I. First quarterly technical progress report, June--August 1976. [Industrial open-cycle gas turbine; coal-derived fuel]
Technical Report
·
Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976
·
OSTI ID:7132330
Related Subjects
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
GAS TURBINES
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE CONTROL
PROGRAMMING
START-UP
STEAM TURBINES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DIGITAL SYSTEMS
GAS TURBINES
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE CONTROL
PROGRAMMING
START-UP
STEAM TURBINES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY