Intelligent Actuation Control Using Model-Free Adaptive Control Technology

For the U.S. to reach its future energy objectives, ultra-clean and highly efficient energy plants must be built. The control and optimization of coal-fired power plants is highly dependent on coordinated and integrated sensing, control, and actuation technologies and products. Prior efforts to develop novel sensing and control technologies have been successful, but little work has been devoted to the coordinated control and actuation of power plant processes. Studies have shown that as many as 2/3 of all control loop oscillations are caused by control valve or damper problems. This project will design and develop an intelligent actuation control solution that can provide robust and precise control for large coal-fired power plants. Phase I developed a novel actuation controller that can effectively control valve position processes that have nonlinear backlash problems and large changes in valve gain, time constant, and delay time. Phase II will optimize fuel-air-ratio control, improve flow-loop control, develop actuation control software that can be embedded in commercial actuation control devices, build a flexible air flow control test system and a liquid flow control test system, and demonstrate the ability of the actuation control products to run a coal-fired power plant. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The actuation control solution should addresses an urgent need for clean coal technology and should help the power and process industries to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and emission reduction