Closed loop control of hydrogen cooling of an electric power generator
OwnerBrad Radlinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A closed loop control system for controlling generator cooling pressure, purity and dew point at power plants with hydrogen cooled generators to achieve optimum efficiency. The present invention uses feedback from plant status monitoring software to dynamically control parameters such as hydrogen pressure, purity and dew point to achieve optimum efficiency and provide necessary reserve capacity. The hydrogen pressure setpoint can be manipulated based on plant conditions such as output voltage, MVAR reserve capacity, likelihood of increased demand and other parameters. In general, an attempt is made to lower the pressure setpoint to achieve efficiency. Margin is built in to account for time lag in raising hydrogen pressure in the case of increased demand.
Claims20
A closed feedback hydrogen control system for cooling a power plant generator comprising:
- a hydrogen pressure controller for a hydrogen cooled electrical generator, said controller having an adjustable hydrogen pressure setpoint;
- a control system acting upon at least one power plant parameter input other than hydrogen pressure to control said hydrogen pressure setpoint, wherein said control system attempts to lower said hydrogen pressure setpoint to a value less than a maximum value for said setpoint.
A closed-loop control system for a hydrogen cooled generator wherein a hydrogen pressure setpoint is calculated and controlled as a function of at least one power plant parameter input parameter other than hydrogen pressure.
A method for controlling a hydrogen cooled generator comprising:
- reading hydrogen outlet gas temperature, and if said hydrogen outlet gas temperature is equal to or above a maximum value, adding a bias value to a control curve and setting an alarm;
- reading a first power plant parameter other than hydrogen pressure;
- using said control curve by entering said first power plant parameter and determining a hydrogen pressure setpoint;
- commanding said hydrogen pressure setpoint if different from a current hydrogen pressure setpoint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.