US 6,804,612 B2 · Methods and systems for performing integrated analyzes, such as integrated analyzes for gas turbine power plants

Abstract

Automated systems for performing integrated analyses. In one embodiment, an integrated analysis system can be used to comprehensively evaluate the effects of changes in hardware configuration or operating conditions on gas turbine power plant performance and economics. The system evaluates these changes by concurrently analyzing a number of different aspects of the power plant while ensuring that the data used in each of the different analyses is consistent. These analyses can include turbine and compressor aerodynamic analysis, cooling and leakage flow analysis, heat transfer analysis, part life analysis, heat balance analysis, cost analysis and overall power plant performance and economic analysis.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A computer-based integrated analysis system for determining performance characteristics associated with a turbine, the turbine including at least a compressor, a combustor and an expander, the system comprising:

a performance module capable of determining at least a power output associated with the turbine, the performance module including a performance server component and a performance analysis component, wherein the performance server component facilitates data exchange between the performance module and at least one other module, and wherein the performance analysis component contains at least one equation useable in connection with turbine performance analysis;
an aerodynamic module capable of determining at least an operating pressure associated with the expander, the aerodynamic module including an aerodynamic server component and an aerodynamic analysis component, wherein the aerodynamic server component facilitates data exchange between the aerodynamic module and at least one other module, and wherein the aerodynamic analysis component contains at least one equation useable in connection with expander flow analysis;
and
a data management component that automatically directs an exchange of data between the performance module and the aerodynamic module.

1 more element

A method in a computer system for providing information related to a gas turbine having an expander, the method comprising:

providing a performance module capable of determining at least a power output associated with the turbine, the performance module including a performance server component and a performance analysis component, wherein the performance server component facilitates data exchange between the performance module and at least one other module, and wherein the performance analysis component contains at least one equation useable in connection with turbine performance analysis;
providing an aerodynamic module capable of determining at least an operating pressure associated with the expander, the aerodynamic module including an aerodynamic server component and an aerodynamic analysis component, wherein the aerodynamic server component facilitates data exchange between the aerodynamic module and at least one other module, and wherein the aerodynamic analysis component contains at least one equation useable in connection with expander flow analysis;
operating the performance module to determine a first value for a first property variable associated with the expander;
transferring the first value from the performance module to the aerodynamic module;
operating the aerodynamic module to determine a second value for a second property variable associated with the expander based on the first value received from the performance module;
transferring the second value from the aerodynamic module to the performance module;
and
operating the performance module to determine a third value for the first property variable based on the second value received from the aerodynamic module.

5 more elements

A computer system for providing information related to a turbine having an expander, the computer system comprising:

first analysis means for determining at least a power output associated with the turbine;
second analysis means for determining at least an operating pressure associated with the expander;
means for operating the first analysis means to determine a first value for a first property variable associated with the expander;
means for transferring the first value from the first analysis means to the second analysis means;
means for operating the second analysis means to determine a second value for a second property variable associated with the expander based on the first value received from the first analysis means;
means for transferring the second value from the second analysis means to the first analysis means;
and
means for operating the first analysis means to determine a third value for the first property variable based on the second value received from the second analysis means.

5 more elements

A computer-readable medium containing a display page for receiving information related to a configuration of a turbine and presenting information related to performance parameters of the turbine, the display page comprising:

a user input portion having one or more fields configured to receive information defining the turbine configuration for evaluation;
an output summary portion having one or more fields for presenting performance parameters for the turbine as defined by the information received in the input portion;
and
a convergence summary portion having a property variable field, a first value field, and a second value field, wherein the property variable field identifies a property variable associated with a flow through the turbine, the first value field presents a value corresponding to a first determination of the property variable, and the second value field presents a value corresponding to a second determination of the property variable.

1 more element

A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to provide information related to performance of a power plant, the power plant having a turbine that includes an expander, the information being provided by a method comprising:

receiving a request for a user interface display page from a user computer;
in response to the received request, providing the requested user interface display page to the user computer, the requested user interface display page being configured to receive information related to an operating condition or configuration of the turbine;
receiving the information related to an operating condition or configuration of the turbine from the user computer;
in response to the received information,
operating a first analysis module to generate a first value for a first property variable related to a flow through the expander;
transferring the first value from the first analysis module to a second analysis module;
operating the second analysis module to determine a second value for a second property variable related to the flow through the expander based on the first value received from the first analysis module;
transferring the second value from the second analysis module to the first analysis module;
and
operating the first analysis module to determine a third value for the first property variable based on the second value received from the second analysis module.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and systems for performing integrated analyzes, such as integrated analyzes for gas turbine power plants

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for performing integrated analyzes, such as integrated analyzes for gas turbine power plants

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37