PLC Control in Turbogas Unit Based on IEC 1131-3 Programming Standard
This article describes a modular control system development for Turbogas Power Units (TPU) based on a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)
. The starting up control sequence, protections, process supervision, anti surge control and speed/load regulation functions were developed and implanted in a modern high performance Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) according to the state-of- the-art IEC 1131-3 programming standard.
Turbogas units are high risks systems that impose strict control system requirements. It requires a high automation level to obtain a secure and profitable operation. Generally, the complete automatic operation is available in a typical control system. The unit can be started and carried till peak load in an easy and rapid way only by pushing a button on the operating interface. Nevertheless, many are experiencing poor starting reliability, and if at one time they were able to be at base load in fifteen to twenty minutes, in many cases they are unable to start due to the poor performance at existing control systems, sensors and field wiring.
The advent of digital industry control technology has brought increasing focus to improving control systems that can result in increased availability and starting reliability of gas turbines. The microprocessors used in PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) have allowed these off-the shelf systems to implement existing or modified control application to replace the TPU's original control system. They have the capability to improve the gas turbines starting reliability to acceptance levels and provide diagnostics to pin point the reasons why the turbine will not start or why it has tripped.
PLC Control in Turbogas Unit Based on IEC 1131-3 Programming Standard