An optimized procedure for determining incremental heat rate characteristics

An optimized procedure for producing generator incremental heat rate curves from continually sampled unit performance data is described. A generalized reduced-gradient algorithm is applied to optimally locate break points in incremental heat rate curves. Advantages include the ability to automatically take into consideration slow time-varying effects such as unit aging and temperature variations in combustion air and cooling water. The procedure is tested using actual fuel rate data for four generators.<
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