Patent ID: 8515582
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
1. A control system for controlling operation of a fossil fuel fired power generating unit, said control system comprising: means for receiving data signals from a plurality of sensors for sensing parameters associated with operation of the power generating unit, said plurality of sensors including a plurality of oxygen sensors spatially separated in a boiler of the power generating unit, wherein said plurality of oxygen sensors provide an oxygen profile; a combustion optimization system for determining optimal setpoint values for a first set of manipulated variables associated with a combustion process of the fossil fuel fired power generating unit, said combustion optimization system controlling the oxygen profile by determining an individual deviation of each of the plurality of oxygen sensors from an overall average oxygen value determined from the plurality of oxygen sensors; an oxygen optimization system for determining optimal setpoint values for a second set of manipulated variables associated with air flow for the combustion process, wherein said combustion optimization system and said oxygen optimization system each includes: control means for controlling operation of the power generating unit using optimal setpoint values for the first and second set of manipulated variables as respectively determined by the combustion optimization system and the oxygen optimization system.