Intelligent Control of Advanced Power Generation Systems Using Model-Free Adaptive Control Technology

Ultra-clean, highly-efficient energy plants must be realized for the U.S. to reach its future energy objectives. In particular, more robust and flexible process control technologies must be developed in order to build an intelligent control system that provides fully automated operation, and can adapt to changing process needs and fuel availability. These technologies must be safe, reliable, and easy to install, maintain, and operate. This project will design, develop, test, evaluate, benchmark, and bring to production an intelligent control system for controlling the new generation of boilers for energy plants. Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of the concept using an innovative Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) control technology. Phase II will: (1) refine the boiler models and MFA boiler controllers, (2) enhance the MFA software to allow collaborators to test the MFA technology with their boiler models, and (3) perform on-site testing to demonstrate the ability of the MFA system to control supercritical and circulating-fluidized-bed (CFB) boilers. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: With the quality of fuels degrading, and clean fuels becoming scarce, the MFA control technology should allow conventional fuels, combustible byproducts, and waste fuels to be burnt more efficiently and hence more cleanly. An effective automatic control system represents the simplest way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from combustion, which translates to a healthier and safer environment.