Design of a multivariable state-space adaptive controller, and its application to a turbogenerator pilot plant

Abstract

An application of a multivariable state-space adaptive controller to a turbogenerator set is considered in this paper. The turbo-generator, consisting of an air pressure turbine and a synchronous generator, is a typical electromechanical system, which exhibits highly nonlinear behaviour and non-negligible couplings between electrical and mechanical control loops. Especially if the plant is not connected to the rigid 50 Hz grid, the control task for varying loads at different operating points is quite difficult. Great fluctuations of the central pressure pump cause the turbo-generator to work in a noisy environment as well. The parameters of the state-space model are identified directly, using the recursive prediction error algorithm, which also estimates the system states. Based on the estimated parameters and states, the adaptive controller is determined through state feedback. The optimal control strategy is commissioned for designing the state controller. The results of real-time control experiments on the turbogenerator demonstrate the features and applicability of the designed multivariable state-space adaptive controller.