Patent ID: 7584024
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A method for optimizing operation of a power generating plant having a plurality of power plant device groups, each power plant device group comprised of one or more power plant devices, the method comprising: evaluating the results of an optimization process for identifying a power plant device group for activation; for each power plant device group, determining a target factor value for at least one associated time value parameter, wherein the greater the target factor value, the higher the rank of the power plant device group; comparing the target factor value to predefined threshold ranges to determine a respective weight value for each power plant device group, wherein each weight value is respectively associated with one of the following operating conditions: (a) do not activate power plant devices in the power plant device group, (b) may not activate power plant devices in the power plant device group, (c) may activate power plant devices in the power plant device group, and (d) activate power plant devices in the power plant device group; determining a plurality of decisions D of an initial time increment (t obtaining a model of the power generating plant that predicts one or more output parameter values that are a function of one or more input parameter values of the power generating plant, the output parameter values are associated with goals in operation of the power generating plant, wherein optimized input parameter values are determined by iteratively varying one or more input parameter values received by the model until the predicted output parameter values are substantially equal to said goals; determining one or more subsequent decisions D of one or more subsequent time increments after the initial time increment (t selecting one of said decisions D determined for the initial time increment (t operating a power plant device group of the power generating plant for the initial time increment in accordance with the selected decision D, wherein said power plant devices include a soot cleaning device.