Process control and optimization in energy utilization and environmental protection

An evolving goal in power plants for many decades is to have the process control system predict and optimize the set-point changes continuously in real time and to automatically regulate flows, temperatures, and pressures. This goal has now become more significant and more involved because a fourth dimension, the environment, has been added to the three traditional dimensions (namely, safety, efficiency and cost) of real time power plant performance. In this paper, the emerging role of process control and optimization is reviewed within the context of energy utilization and environmental protection. Case studies that have been reported in this area are discussed. Some limitations of the current technology are identified.