Intelligent Actuation Control Using Model-Free Adaptive Control Technology

The control and optimization of coal-fired power plants are highly dependent on coordinated and integrated sensing, control, and actuation technologies. Although novel sensing and control technologies have been developed, little work has been devoted to the coordinated control and actuation of processes within a coal-fired power plant. Studies show that as many as two-thirds of control loop oscillations are caused by control valve problems. Therefore, more effective and robust valve positioning control is highly desirable. Better actuation also would lead to major improvements in existing coal-fired power plants. This project will design, develop, test, evaluate, benchmark, and bring to production an intelligent valve-positioning control solution for large-scale coal-fired power plants. Phase I will evaluate, simulate, and determine the feasibility of using Model-Free Adaptive control technology to develop an intelligent control solution that can effectively deal with large variations in valve gain, time constant, delay time, and other bad valve behaviors. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should benefit U.S. energy plants of the future as well as other industries where control valves are used. Since control valves are widely used core components of a control system, the importance of improving stability, robustness, and performance cannot be over-stated.