Simulation and Control of Fast Transients in Process and Utility Plant

A dynamic simulation program, FASTran, is underdevelopment capable of modelling fast transients and control systems in rotary machines and utility networks. Improving energy efficiency and safety is the incentive to study the behaviour of such systems in operation ranges close to instabilities (e.g. compressor surge). The program is based on the concept of Object Oriented Programming methodology. The most important features of OOP such as data independence, reusability and inheritance are implemented. Lumped parameter models have been developed to simulate dynamic behaviours of plant equipments. The models are based on one dimensional approximation of continuity momentum and energy equations. Controller design tools are embedded in FASTran with easy transfer of information between simulation and controller design. This permits the results of simulation to be used for controller design and optimisation.