Design of Virtual Thermal Process Control Framework for NCSLab

To solve the problems from the huge power plant emulator machine and the virtual DCS system, this paper develops a remote virtual thermal process control laboratory for power plants based on the Networked Control System Laboratory (NCSLab). Without the huge simulation machine, heavy desktop software, and specific experimental environment, NCSLab combines the traditional thermal process control experiments with remote control and online virtual simulating technology. Moreover, a new set of visual widgets is applied for imitating the real master controlling interface in the simulator machine and virtual DCS. The proposed thermal process control laboratory provides an online solution for basic experimental systems such as the boiler drum water level control system and the main steam temperature control system, which strengthens the flexibilities of thermal power training.