COMPUTERIZED AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF POWER PLANTS,

A comparison is made of the uses of computers for monitoring and control of power generating plants in the Soviet Union and the US. Two types of systems are used one in which the computer serves as monitor and data processor, with the control functions carried out by conventional automatic systems under the supervision of the operator the second, in which the computer actually carries out all routine control functions in addition to data acquisition and processing. The first system simplifies the duties of the operator, enables him to observe many parameters continuously, and provides advice to the operator for the optimum control of the plant on the basis of engineering and economic indicators. There are two versions of the second type of computer system the hierarchical and the direct control versions. In the hierarchical system, the central computer supervises the functions of the primary control systems, serves as the communications link, and makes the decisions for optimum operation on the basis of the incoming data. In the central multi-channel control system, the computer exercises direct control over all controllable parameters of the power plant. Both variations of the computer control systems are now in operation in the Soviet Union. Author