Power system with computer-controlled fuel system
View Patent ↗The present invention is a fuel-control system for a turbine which includes a programmable logic controller. The controller manages utility and stored natural gas sources using a surge tank and pressure-control valve arrangement and is backed up by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell.
1. A fuel-control system for a gas consuming device, said system comprising:
a controller;
a first source of a first gas received through a first conduit, said conduit leading into a chamber;
a first pressure-control valve in said first conduit;
a first sensor at a location in said first conduit, said first sensor reading information regarding a first pressure, said information regarding said first pressure being transmittable to said controller;
a second source of a second gas derived from a storage container through a second conduit into said chamber;
a second pressure-control valve in said second conduit; and
a second sensor at a location in said second conduit, said second sensor reading information regarding a second pressure, said information regarding said second pressure being transmittable to said controller;
said controller adapted to manipulate said first and second pressure-control valves in response to said first and second readings to maintain a steady pressure level in a third conduit, said third conduit running from said chamber to said gas consuming device.
2. The system of claim 1 , comprising:
a third pressure-control valve and a third sensor located in said third conduit, said third sensor reading information regarding a third pressure, said information regarding said third pressure being transmittable to said controller, said controller adapted to manipulate said first, second, and third pressure-control valves in response to said first, second, and third readings to maintain a steady pressure level in a third conduit.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said fuel consuming device is a turbine.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second gases are natural gas.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller is one of a microprocessor and a programmable logic control device.
6. The system of claim 1 where the controller is electrically coupled with a back up power system which includes a fuel cell.
7. The system of claim 1 in which said chamber is a surge tank.