Method for starting a turbomachine
Embodiments of the present invention employ a closed loop controls philosophy, which actively controls the starting means of a powerplant machine, throughout the start-up process. Here, the present invention may provide a method for adjusting a nominal operating schedule of the starting means, which may have the form of a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI). Embodiments of the method may adjust the nominal operating schedule based, in part, on an operating parameter, which is associated with the gas turbine 100 . The operating parameter may include, but is not limited to: a rotor speed, a desired start-up time, or the like. Here, the control system may receive data on the operating parameter associated with the gas turbine.
1. A method of actively controlling a starting system during a starting process of the powerplant machine, the method comprising:
determining a target range for a parameter, wherein the parameter is associated with an operation of a powerplant machine;
determining a measured value of the parameter;
determining a parameter difference, wherein the parameter difference is a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
adjusting an operating schedule of the starting system based on the parameter difference;
wherein the method adjusts an output of the starting system based on the parameter difference; and wherein the output contributes to the acceleration of the powerplant machine during a start-up process, wherein the powerplant machine comprises a turbomachine comprising a rotor, and wherein the starting system comprises a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI), and wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: an exhaust temperature, a firing temperature, an ambient condition, rotor speed, rotor acceleration, time, or a physical parameter of the turbomachine, and further, wherein:
the step of determining a target range for a parameter comprises the steps of:
selecting a first parameter related to the operation of the powerplant machine;
selecting a second parameter related to the operation of the powerplant machine; and
utilizing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm comprises a look-up table that receives real-time data on the first parameter to determine a value of the second parameter;
wherein the value of the second parameter comprises the target range of the parameter.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing steps to determine a starting means adjustment command, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving data on the target range of the parameter;
receiving data on a measured value of the parameter;
generating an error signal comprising a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
utilizing a starting means adjustment block to generate a starting means adjustment command based on the error signal.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising performing steps to determine a starting means request, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving the starting means adjustment;
receiving a starting means command that is based on a nominal schedule of the starting means; and
utilizing a junction to combine the starting means adjustment with the starting means command; which creates a starting means request;
wherein the starting means request adjusts the nominal schedule based on the error signal.
4. A method of actively controlling a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI) during a starting process of the gas turbine, the method comprising:
determining a target range for a parameter, wherein the parameter is associated with an operation of a gas turbine;
determining a measured value of the parameter;
determining a parameter difference, wherein the parameter difference is a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
adjusting an operating schedule of the LCI based on the parameter difference;
wherein the method continuously adjusts an output of the LCI based on the parameter difference during a start-up process of the gas turbine; and wherein the output contributes to the acceleration of the gas turbine, and wherein the gas turbine comprises a rotor, wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: an exhaust temperature, a firing temperature, an ambient condition, rotor speed, rotor acceleration, a desired start-up time, or a physical parameter of the gas turbine, and further wherein the step of determining a target range for a parameter, comprising the steps of:
selecting a first parameter related to the operation of the gas turbine;
selecting a second parameter related to the operation of the gas turbine; and
determining a value of the second parameter by utilizing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm comprises a look-up table that receives real-time data on the first parameter;
wherein the value of the second parameter is an output of the algorithm; and wherein the value of the second parameter comprises the target range of the parameter.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first parameter comprises at least one of: an operating time, or a rotor speed.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second parameter comprises at least one of: an operating time, or a rotor speed.
7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising performing steps to determine a LCI adjustment command, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving data on the target range of the parameter;
receiving data on a measured value of the parameter; wherein the data on the measured value is received in real time;
generating an error signal comprising a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
utilizing a LCI adjustment block to generate a LCI adjustment command based on the error signal.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising performing steps of determining a LCI torque request, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving the LCI adjustment command;
receiving a LCI torque command that is based on a LCI nominal operating schedule; and
utilizing an algorithm to combine the LCI adjustment command with the LCI torque command; which creates a LCI torque request;
wherein the LCI torque request adjusts the LCI nominal operating schedule based on the error signal.
9. A system for actively controlling a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI) during a starting process of the gas turbine, the system comprising:
a gas turbine integrated with an LCI; and
a control system configured for performing the steps of:
determining a target range for a parameter, wherein the parameter is associated with an operation of the gas turbine;
determining a measured value of the parameter;
determining a parameter difference, wherein the parameter difference is a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
adjusting an operating schedule of the LCI based on the parameter difference;
wherein the control system continuously monitors and adjusts an output of the LCI based on the parameter difference; wherein the output contributes to the acceleration of the gas turbine during a start-up process, and wherein the gas turbine comprises a rotor, and wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: an exhaust temperature, a firing temperature, an ambient condition, rotor speed, rotor acceleration, a desired start-up time, or a physical parameter of the gas turbine, and further wherein:
the step of determining a target range for a parameter, further comprises the steps of:
selecting a first parameter related to the operation of the gas turbine;
selecting a second parameter related to the operation of the gas turbine; and
determining a value of the second parameter by utilizing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm comprises a look-up table that receives real-time data on the first parameter;
wherein the value of the second parameter is an output of the algorithm; and wherein the value of the second parameter comprises the target range of the parameter.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the control system further performs the steps of determining a LCI adjustment command, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving data on the target range of the parameter;
receiving data on a measured value of the parameter; wherein the data on the measured value is received in real time.
generating an error signal comprising a difference between the target range and the measured value; and
utilizing a LCI adjustment block to generate a LCI adjustment command based on the error signal.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control system further performs the steps of determining a LCI torque request, wherein the steps comprise:
receiving the LCI adjustment command;
receiving a LCI torque command that is based on a LCI nominal operating schedule; and
utilizing an algorithm to combine the LCI adjustment with the LCI torque command; which creates a LCI torque request;
wherein the LCI torque request adjusts the LCI nominal operating schedule based on the error signal.