Advanced process control of boiler installation

Abstract

In production processes, it is important find solutions to improve economic performance. This is especially topical for energy facilities, such as boiler plants. These problems are complex in nature and require solutions in the field of technology, apparatus designs, modes and algorithms of equipment operation. If it is required to improve the performance of an operating object without significant changes in the design of the apparatus, then often the solutions lie in the plane of the work algorithms. Thus, modernization of the object’s automatic control system using a programmable logic controller and a control program will optimize processes without significant investments. In this regard, one of the rational and effective solutions for modernizing the automatic control system can be the use of predictive models. Predictive model control has excellent adaptability, although it uses a relatively simple control scheme. Such a system is a superstructure over an existing automatic control system. This paper proposes a method for implementing control with predictive models by using a virtual analyzer interfaced with a controller. This makes it possible to take into account and correct many disturbances in the control system of the boiler plant, which favourably affects the stability of the process and economic indicators.