Diesel engine systems with genetic algorithm self tuning PID controller

Speed control of power generation plants driven by diesel prime-movers is difficult because of the presence of a dead time and changes in parameters. This results in slow plant dynamics. In this paper, genetic algorithm self tuning PID controller based on indirect estimation of the dead time is proposed resulting in fast response at the startup and quick recovery, when a disturbance occurs. By using indirect estimation for the dead time and recursive least squares parameter estimation, an explicit estimate of the plant parameters and dead time is obtained. The algorithm is fast converging and stable. The estimated plant parameters and dead time are used in tuning the PID controller. The algorithm is robust with respect to variations in the engine dead time