Title: Modelling and multivariable robust controller for a power plant

Authors: Mohammad Reza Gharib, Saeed Kamelian, Seyyed Alireza Seyyed Mousavi, Iman Dabzadeh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Bahonar Street, Vakil Abad Blvd., Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, 91775-1111, Iran. ' Department of Instrumentation and Automation Engineering, Petroleum University of Technology, Ayatollah Behbahani Blvd., Ahwaz, Khoozastan, 63431, Iran. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Ostad yousefi Ave., Emamieh Street, Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, 9187144123, Iran. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Bahonar Street, Vakil Abad Blvd., Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, 91775-1111, Iran

Abstract: The primary intention of this paper is to apply a quantitative feedback theory (QFT) controller for boiler pressure inside the Mashhad power plant system. The importance of controlling this boiler pressure is associated from several factors such as uncertain mathematical model of boiler pressure which is caused by lack of knowledge about the dynamics of the system, pay load changes and air flow. Quantitative design of robust control systems applies as a transparent and practical controller design methodology for uncertain single-input single output and multivariable plants. Initially, modelling of the mentioned system and its disturbance are achieved experimentally. Then, a controller is designed for tracking problem and disturbance. The main steps involved in designing are template generation, disturbance, loop shaping and per-filter shaping design. For more comparisons, sliding mode control as a well-known control approach is also applied to the plant. Finally, non-linear simulation has been carried out and the two controllers are compared. Obtained results demonstrate that applying the proposed techniques successfully overcome obstacles for robust control of the power plant pressure.

Keywords: modelling; multivariable control; robust control; power plants; quantitative feedback theory; QFT; boiler pressure; sliding mode control; SMC; system dynamics; payload changes; air flow; controller design; nonliner simulation; template generation; disturbance; loop shaping; per-filter shaping design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.040683

International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, 2011 Vol.3 No.2, pp.119 - 128

Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article