Control of drum level dynamics in Coal-Fired Boiler-Turbine Units

Boiler systems face many parametric issues due to inconsistency with grid integrated renewable power generation systems and varying load conditions. In order to achieve an efficient operation of boiler systems, varying conditions such as steam temperature, drum pressure along with drum water level must be controlled. In this paper, a nonlinear model of boiler system is simulated, with feed-water flow and fuel mass rates as the system inputs. A model-free sliding mode controller (MFSMC) is implemented with the simulated model to control the parametric uncertainties. It is observed that the implemented controller improved the performance and robustness of the system irrespective of the perturbations. With the application of the MFSM controller, the system tracks down the desired reference inputs in comparatively lesser time, resulting in smoother responses. The final simulation and results were depicted, discussed, and compared with the fuzzy control system for a better understanding of the developed phenomenon.