Nonlinear fuzzy model predictive iterative learning control for drum-type boiler-turbine system

Advanced control strategy is necessary to ensure high efficiency and high load-following capability in the operation of modern power plant. Model predictive control (MPC) has been widely used for controlling power plant. Nevertheless, MPC needs to further improve its learning ability especially as power plants are nonlinear under load-cycling operation. Iterative learning control (ILC) and MPC are both popular approaches in industrial process control and optimization. The integration of model-based ILC with a real-time feedback MPC constitutes the model predictive iterative learning control (MPILC). Considering power plant, this paper presents a nonlinear model predictive controller based on iterative learning control (NMPILC). The nonlinear power plant dynamic is described by a fuzzy model which contains local liner models. The resulting NMPILC is constituted based on this fuzzy model. Optimal performance is realized within both the time index and the iterative index. Convergence property has been proven under the fuzzy model. Deep analysis and simulations on a drum-type boiler-turbine system show the effectiveness of the fuzzy-model-based NMPILC (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.