**2. Prior modelling approaches**

A model to simulate a process may be developed using different approaches, basically depending on the use the model will be intended for. Certainly, trying to classify the different ways a model may be designed is a very difficult task. However, a model purpose may be: analysing, designing, optimisation, instruction, or training. The techniques to construct a model may vary, to mention two extreme situations, from governing principles based on differences or finite elements to obtain very detailed physical models, to curves fitting for limited empirical models. The real time modelling approach, particularly for operators training like the model presented in this chapter, lies somewhere in between.

Models for operation training are not frequently published, they belong to companies that provide simulation services and it is proprietary information (see, for example, Vieira *et al*., 2008). Nevertheless, some models are available in recent publications as described in this section. All the revised works report to have a gas turbine system as presented in Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Common representation of a gas turbine system

A summary of some published models is given in Table 1. None of the works revised here mentioned anything about real time execution.

In the present work, the total plant was simulated including all the auxiliary systems. For the composition of supply gas twenty components were included. There were simulated the variables in the 20 control screens and the tendency graphs. For example, the compressorturbine system was simulated considering the schematics presented in Figure 2.

understanding of a new process must be addressed. Using a simulator help operators to improve the skills to bring the plant up and down, thus shortening start-ups significantly

In 2000 the CFE initiated the exploitation of a Combined Cycle Power Plant Simulator (CCS) developed by the IIE based on ProTRAX, a commercial tool to construct simulators. There is no full access to the source ProTRAX programs and the CFE determined to have a new combined cycle simulator using the open architecture of the IIE products. The new simulator was decided to be constructed in two stages: first the Gas Turbine (GT) part

In this chapter a summary of the GT simulator development and its modelling characteristics are described. Stochastic and discrete events models are not considered, but

A model to simulate a process may be developed using different approaches, basically depending on the use the model will be intended for. Certainly, trying to classify the different ways a model may be designed is a very difficult task. However, a model purpose may be: analysing, designing, optimisation, instruction, or training. The techniques to construct a model may vary, to mention two extreme situations, from governing principles based on differences or finite elements to obtain very detailed physical models, to curves fitting for limited empirical models. The real time modelling approach, particularly for operators training like the model presented in this chapter, lies somewhere in between.

Models for operation training are not frequently published, they belong to companies that provide simulation services and it is proprietary information (see, for example, Vieira *et al*., 2008). Nevertheless, some models are available in recent publications as described in this section. All the revised works report to have a gas turbine system as presented in

A summary of some published models is given in Table 1. None of the works revised here

Compressor Turbine

Combustor

In the present work, the total plant was simulated including all the auxiliary systems. For the composition of supply gas twenty components were included. There were simulated the variables in the 20 control screens and the tendency graphs. For example, the compressor-

turbine system was simulated considering the schematics presented in Figure 2.

and improving the proficiency of less-experienced operators in existing plants.

followed by the Heat Recovery Steam Generation (HRSG) part.

deterministic models of industrial processes are contemplated.

Fig. 1. Common representation of a gas turbine system

mentioned anything about real time execution.

**2. Prior modelling approaches** 

Figure 1.



Models for Training on a Gas Turbine Power Plant 217

The simulator was developed under Windows XP and was programmed in Visual Studio Net, Fortran Intel, Flash and VisSim. The Simulation Environment (*MAS*) is copyright software of the IIE. A simplified conceptual diagram of the programs installed in the *MAS* is

Data Base

**Model Sequencer Instructor Console Functions**

Run/Freeze Initial Conditions Malfuntions Remote Functions Historical Records Graphs and tendencies

**Parallel Processing**

Process & Control Models (alarms, events, etc.)

> Integration & Numerical Methods

Global Variables Memory Area

Man Machine Interface

**Instructor Console (IC)**

Real Time Executive

The platform, represented by the IC (with man-machine interfaces and a real time executive) has three main parts: the operator module, the model sequencer, and the IC functions. The communication between them is through a TCP/IP protocol. All the modules of the simulation environment except the Flash applications for the control interfaces are

The *MAS* is designed as a general tool for the GSACyS to develop simulators, it is very useful software that acts like a development tool and like the simulator man-machine interface. The *MAS* basically consist of four independent but coordinated applications: the real time executive, the operator module, the model sequencer and the instructor console. The data base contains all the information required by the executive system. The tables contains information to support different process of the *MAS*, model sequencer, the number of times that a model is executed, Interactive Process Diagrams (IPD) for the instructor

**3.2 Software configuration** 

represented in Figure 4.

Interactive Diagrams: Control & Graphics

**IPD Operator Module**

Fig. 4. Diagram of the Simulation Environment.

programmed with C# (Visual Studio).

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of the gas turbine-compressor-combustor system.
