Exponential ARX model-based long-range predictive control strategy for power plants

For nonlinear thermal power plants whose dynamics vary with load demand, a load-dependent exponential ARX (Exp-ARX) model, which can effectively describe the nonlinear properties of the plants, is presented, The Exp-ARX model requires only off-line identification. Based on the model, a constrained multivariable generalized predictive control (CMGPC) strategy is designed and implemented in a simulation of 375 MW thermal power plants. This CMGPC algorithm does not resort to on-line parameter estimation and can more exactly predict the future outputs of the nonlinear plants, so it shows better reliability and control performance than the usual GPC algorithm. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.