Nonlinear decoupling control of compressor systems for fast load transients in combined cycle power plants

This paper presents a novel approach to the control of compressor systems used for the supply of fuel gas to gas turbines in combined cycle power plants. A model for the compression system is derived first and special attention is paid to an accurate description of the compressor map. Due to the strong coupling of the nonlinear dynamics of the compression system a nonlinear decoupling control concept is required. The presented approach is based on a gain-scheduled decoupling controller. The proposed control concept is validated with a complex nonlinear simulation model of an industrial compressor.