Multiplane optimization method and apparatus for cogeneration of steam and power

Claim 2

In a steam and power cogeneration system including a network of fluid flow for passing a demand of steam therethrough at respective higher and lower pressures, embodying at least two steam-to-power converter units operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures, and at least two pressure reducing valves operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures; the combination of: means for optimizing power generation by said steam-to-power converter units and for optimizing steam flow through said network in accordance with a predetermined concurrent steam and power demand; said optimizing means being operable in relation to a plurality of predetermined planes of control each defined by a given status and configuration of said network; means being provided responsive to a change of actual network status and configuration for selecting optimization by said optimizing means by reference to a new plane of control associated with the new and actual status and configuration of said network; means for controlling the distribution of steam through said network and concurrent generation of power in accordance with the optimizing results for said new plane of control.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, with said optimizing means being operated recurrently to meet variations in said steam and power demands, thereby to provide current optimizing results; and said optimizing means being operated off-line and successively by reference to each plane of control of said plurality, the respective optimization results being stored in relation to each plane for later use; with said optimization selecting means being operative in response to a change of actual network state and configuration to activate said controlling means in accordance with such stored optimization results and selected plane of control.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, with said controlling means including a pair of valve position adjusting means for each of said pressure reducing valves associated with the respective sides thereof, one on the higher pressure side, the other on the lower pressure side thereof, said valve position adjusting means being concurrently controlled in response to said optimization selecting means in relation to said stored optimization results and selected plane of control, thereby to establish an initial pressure reducing valve position on each corresponding said pressure reducing valve.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, with means responsive to pressure conditions on either side of such pressure reducing valve for controlling the position thereof about said initial position, thereby to establish a steady state of flow.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 with the optimization results being obtained by the EVOP method.

Claim 7

The system of claim 4 with the optimization results being obtained by the linear programming method.

Claim 8

A steam and power cogeneration system including a network of fluid flow lines for passing a demand of steam therethrough at respective higher and lower pressures, embodying at least two steam-to-power converter units operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures, and at least two pressure reducing valves operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures; the combination of: first means operative in relation to the power generation by said steam-to-power converter units and in relation to the steam flow through said network in accordance with a predetermined steam and power demand for deriving optimizing results in relation to a present plane of control defined by an actual network status and configuration; second means operable in relation to a plurality of anticipated future planes of control, each defined by an anticipated status and configuration of said network, for deriving and for storing anticipated results corresponding to the respective anticipated planes; third means being provided responsive to an occurring change of actual network status and configuration defining a new present plane of control for said network, for deriving from said stored anticipated results corresponding to said new plane of control and for controlling said network to adjust the distribution of steam therethrough in accordance with said derived corresponding results; said first means being operative to derive present optimizing results in relation to said new present plane of control after the distribution of steam by said third means has been established; and fourth means operative to control the distribution of steam according to said present optimizing results from said first means, thereby to establish optimal distribution.

Claim 9

A steam and power cogeneration system including a network of fluid flow lines for passing a demand of steam therethrough at respective higher and lower pressures, embodying at least two steam-to-power converter units operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures, and at least two pressure reducing valves operatively connected between corresponding ones of said flow lines at different pressures; the combination of: first means operative in relation to the power generation by said steam-to-power converter units and in relation to the steam flow through said network in accordance with a predetermined steam and power demand for deriving optimizing results in relation to a present plane of control defined by an actual network status and configuration; second means operable in relation to a plurality of anticipated future planes of control, each defined by an anticipated status and configuration of said network, for deriving and for storing anticipated results corresponding to the respective anticipated planes; third means being provided responsive to an occurring change of actual network status and configuration defining a new present plane of control for said network, for deriving from said stored anticipated results corresponding to said new plane of control and for controlling said network to adjust the distribution of steam therethrough in accordance with said derived corresponding results; said first means being operative to derive present optimizing results in relation to said new present plane of control after the distribution of steam by said third means has been established; and fourth means operative to control the distribution of steam according to said present optimizing results from said first means, thereby to establish optimal distribution.