Using generalized advanced data validation and reconciliation in steam power unit energy balancing

There are advantages to be gained by using a generalized method of data validation and reconciliation in energy conversion processes in terms of decreasing the uncertainty of measurements data. This method was used to complete the validation model of the process (conditional equations of optimization task) including substance and energy conservation principles with additional equations describing energy conversion processes. The methodology developed was used for example for calculations of data reconciliation in the selected steam power unit. The equations of steam flow capacity, adiabatic internal efficiency and equations resulting from the form of an isobaric line on the h-s diagram for a group of turbine stages were applied. Also applied as additional equations in the validation model were: Darcy's equation of steam pressure drop in the pipeline into heat exchangers and Peclet's equations of heat transfer and equations of over-cooling of condensate in regenerative heat exchangers. The criterion of an assessment of the decrease of measurements uncertainty in the form of global decrease of measurements variance after measurement data reconciliation is proposed. Derivation of the analyzed coefficient was based on the characteristic property of the measurements variance, coming from the variance-covariance matrix of measurements before and after data reconciliation. The criterion for selection of the mathematical form of additional equations in the validation model in reconciliation calculation was formulated. Professor Jan Szargut introduced and developed the advanced data validation and reconciliation method in Poland for thermodynamic analysis of energy conversion processes. The author of this paper engaged in further research on the development and application of this method in thermodynamic analyses.