Simulators

The AVESTAR Center’s dynamic simulators are powerful computational tools that provide a continuous view of commercial-scale power plants in action by calculating their real-time transient behavior over time. Based on first-principles dynamic models, the high-fidelity simulators are capable of analyzing a wide range of plant operating scenarios, including normal base-load operations, start-up (cold, warm, hot), shutdown (including emergency shutdown), cycling, power demand load following, and variable CO₂ capture rates. They can also be used to determine key equipment response times and examine interactions between major plant sections, including power generation and CO₂ capture. For safety analysis, the dynamic simulators can be used to study the impact of plant disturbances (e.g., fluctuating coal feed flow rate and composition), malfunctions (e.g., valve stuck in open/closed position), and abnormal situations (e.g., gas/liquid leak), without the expense and the unexpected hazards of plant experimentation.

The AVESTAR Center’s dynamic simulators also offer full-scope operator training system (OTS) capabilities, enabling users to gain comprehensive hands-on experience with energy plant operations and control.   Operators, engineers, researchers, and students interact with the OTSs via easy-to-use human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that recreate the look and feel of the operator stations typically found in real-world power plant control rooms. HMI features include easy-to-navigate process flowsheet screens with equipment graphics, controller faceplates, real-time trend plots for process variables, and visual/audible alarms.      

NETL launched the AVESTAR Center in March 2011 with the deployment of a high-fidelity dynamic simulator/OTS for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with CO₂ capture. The generic IGCC simulator combines a “Gasification with CO₂ capture” process simulator with a syngas-fired “Combined-Cycle” power simulator into an integrated real-time dynamic simulation framework.

Under cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) with Invensys, the AVESTAR team is also developing generic dynamics simulators/OTSs for a Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) and a SuperCritical Once-Through (SCOT) pulverized coal power plant. The NGCC and SCOT dynamic simulators will be designed for future integration with post-combustion carbon capture and compression systems.

In addition, the AVESTAR Center team is conducting a scoping study to develop a real-time, high-fidelity dynamic simulator for an Oxy-Coal Carbon Capture (OCCC) power plant. The generic OCCC dynamic simulator will be used to meet emerging industry needs for realistic, hands-on, simulation-based training, education, and research on the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and control of highly-integrated, multi-purpose oxy-combustion system with CO₂ capture and compression.