Model predictive pressure control of steam networks

The control scheme of industrial power plants leads typically to a complex multivariable control structure with active constraints to be taken care of. Then Model Predictive Control method (MPC) handles multivariate control problems naturally and optimal control result is calculated considering actuator limitations and constraints of process variables. MPC is applied to control the pressure stability in a multilevel steam network. The system is demonstrated in a simulator environment. MPC can also be used as a convenient tool for analyzing and designing the structure of the steam network. A power plant simulator controlled by MPC helps to decide the location and the capacity of steam levelling components needed to stabilize the operation of the process.