Article: Active disturbance rejection hybrid model predictive control and performance analysis of a subcritical boiler-turbine unit Journal: International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications (IJSCC) 2026 Vol.17 No.3 pp.233 - 250 Abstract: This study introduces a novel active disturbance rejection hybrid model predictive control (ADRC-MPC) strategy to address the control challenges of subcritical boiler-turbine units, which exhibit dynamic and nonlinear behaviour. The ADRC ensures system stability under normal conditions, while MPC enhances control precision during transients. Simulations show the ADRC-MPC approach significantly improves system response, stability, and energy efficiency, with a 24.3% reduction in integral absolute error (IAE) for output power and a 14.5% reduction for main steam pressure control loops. During disturbances, ADRC-MPC outperforms ADRC, achieving a 21% and 10.4% IAE reduction across two control loops. The analysis also reveals that ADRC-MPC improves thermal efficiency and stability of the gross coal consumption rate. These results highlight the robustness of ADRC-MPC in handling sudden changes and its potential to enhance energy utilisation efficiency, making it a promising solution for advanced control of boiler-turbine units. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Active disturbance rejection hybrid model predictive control and performance analysis of a subcritical boiler-turbine unit

Authors: Changhao Fan; Shan Hua; Gang Chen; Xingchen Liu; Xi Chen; Li Sun

Addresses: Guoneng Nanjing Electric Power Test and Research Limited, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Control and Computer Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China ' Guoneng Nanjing Electric Power Test and Research Limited, Nanjing 210023, China ' Guoneng Nanjing Electric Power Test and Research Limited, Nanjing 210023, China ' Guoneng Nanjing Electric Power Test and Research Limited, Nanjing 210023, China ' Guoneng Nanjing Electric Power Test and Research Limited, Nanjing 210023, China ' National Engineering Research Center of Power Generation Control and Safety, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Abstract: This study introduces a novel active disturbance rejection hybrid model predictive control (ADRC-MPC) strategy to address the control challenges of subcritical boiler-turbine units, which exhibit dynamic and nonlinear behaviour. The ADRC ensures system stability under normal conditions, while MPC enhances control precision during transients. Simulations show the ADRC-MPC approach significantly improves system response, stability, and energy efficiency, with a 24.3% reduction in integral absolute error (IAE) for output power and a 14.5% reduction for main steam pressure control loops. During disturbances, ADRC-MPC outperforms ADRC, achieving a 21% and 10.4% IAE reduction across two control loops. The analysis also reveals that ADRC-MPC improves thermal efficiency and stability of the gross coal consumption rate. These results highlight the robustness of ADRC-MPC in handling sudden changes and its potential to enhance energy utilisation efficiency, making it a promising solution for advanced control of boiler-turbine units.

Keywords: model predictive control; disturbance/uncertainty rejection; boiler-turbine unit.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSCC.2026.155254

International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications, 2026 Vol.17 No.3, pp.233 - 250

Received: 03 Apr 2025
Accepted: 12 Jun 2025
Published online: 29 Jul 2026 *

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Title: Active disturbance rejection hybrid model predictive control and performance analysis of a subcritical boiler-turbine unit

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