Use of power plant simulators goes beyond training
Traditionally, simulators have been used by powerplant managers to train control-room operators -- faithfully replicating plant operation and introducing upsets for trainees to find and respond to; indeed, that continues to be their main function today. However, because today's simulators can duplicate a plant so precisely -- in many cases communicating with the actual control-system hardware and software -- they can be used for design, operations, performance, optimization, and other functions as well. Encouraging use is a drop in simulator prices, especially with increased use of sophisticated software and economical workstation computers. The ability to expand simulator service can be traced to the rather extraordinary capabilities of today's computer hardware and software. A simulation'' is a mathematical model of the powerplant. To be effective, the model must have a high degree of fidelity so that even experienced operators and engineers cannot tell the difference between the response of the simulator and that of the plant it is based on. Software models that replicate powerplant performance can be developed on a workstation computer r personal computer (PC). The model is linked to a man/machine interface (MMI), which also replicates the powerplant control room. Because powerplant MMIs are rapidly becoming CRTs with digital-control-system keyboards, simulators are following suite. As this article shows, training simulators offer a rich repository for specific engineering purposes.
- OSTI ID:
- 7169689
- Journal Information:
- Power; (United States), Journal Name: Power; (United States) Vol. 138:3; ISSN POWEAD; ISSN 0032-5929
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
200100* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Plants & Power Generation
ANALOG SYSTEMS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
COMPUTER-AIDED INSTRUCTION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EDUCATION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
POWER PLANTS
SIMULATION
SIMULATORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRAINING
USES