Patent ID: 6799146
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: F22B,F23N,G05B,Y04S

Abstract:
A method for quantifying the operation of a fossil-fired thermal system which produces a gross electrical generation, through its system heat rate and other thermal performance parameters when its fuel chemistry, fuel heating value and fuel flow are determined from any one of the available Input/Loss methods being executed on a Calculational Engine, the method for quantifying the operation comprising the steps of:before on-line operation of the Calculational Engine, the steps of developing a time weighting function applicable to the data collection methods associated with the thermal system, determining a natural periodicity of the thermal system; and thereafter operating the Calculational Engine on-line, the steps of operating on-line including the steps of obtaining a set of Operating Parameters appropriate to the understanding of the thermal system, including the gross electrical generation, exercising a selected method from one of the available Input/Loss methods resulting in fuel chemistry, fuel heating value and fuel flow, computing a total exergy flow and shaft power input to the thermal system based on the set of Operating Parameters and results from the selected Input/Loss method, calculating a Fuel Consumption Index for Power based on the gross electrical generation and the total exergy flow and shaft power input to the thermal system, and determining a time weighted Fuel Consumption Index for Power based on the time weighting function and the natural periodicity of the thermal system if appropriate.