Design and Realization of Thermal Unit Dynamic Performance Analysis and Monitoring System

This paper demonstrates an online performance analysis and monitoring system integrating with the Emerson-Westinghouse Ovation distributed control system (DCS) of a thermal power plant. The system design, hardware development, communication system implementation, and performance-calculation program are reported. A two-tiered architectural design with a core board and bottom board is adopted for the system hardware, whereas the software is based on a modular design, which greatly facilitates system expansion, upgrades, and maintenance. A digital signal processor (DSP) communicates with the DCS via the MODBUS protocol to acquire relevant data from which the power plant's performance is calculated. Next, the DSP returns the results of the calculation to the DCS for monitoring or control. The problem of inability to return these results to the DCS is solved inexpensively, thereby completing integration between the performance calculation and the DCS. This system offers the features of small size, low cost, and ease of maintenance. In addition, the results of the calculations may be displayed at the operator station and used to facilitate operations, which may provide economic benefits.