Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPERVISING
INTEGRATED TRIP MARGIN OF FACILITIES IN
INDUSTRIAL PLANT
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for supervising the
integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a method and a system for supervising the integrated trip margin of
an industrial plant facility, wherein the method for supervising a plant facility having a
trip setting value is improved by calculating the trip margin of all trip-related signals
and providing concerned people with a signal having the highest possibility of trip
occurrence among the signals and the movement of the entire signals in an integrated
manner.
Background Art
[2] In general, various industrial plants have a lot of facilities, the operation of which is
supervised to take necessary measures before a serious problem occurs.
[3] There are usually a very large number of measuring devices inside an industrial plant
to measure the operating condition of facilities, and supervisors check and supervise
the measurement results of individual measurement devices by the naked eye. This
way of checking numerous measuring devices by the naked eye requires a high level of
concentration.
[4] Particularly, continuous supervision of a large number of devices results in ac-
cumulated fatigue, and the resulting stress degrades the level of concentration of su-
pervisors. This increases the possibility that the supervisors will fail to correctly
recognize data on the measuring devices.
[5] As such, it is substantially difficult for supervisors to monitor a large number of
measuring devices and check whether or not facilities are operating normally. Par-
ticularly, it is less likely to monitor the corresponding measuring device at the right
time and confirm if the facility is functioning normally before the facility beings to
malfunction. In most cases, it is not until the alarm rings that the operator recognizes
the abnormal condition of the facility and takes necessary measures.
[6] In summary, any abnormal condition of a facility is not detected in advance, but only
after a problem has occurred or after a problem is imminent. This makes it more
difficult to deal with the problem. As a result, the possibility of trip (shutdown) of the
facility increases. In other words, the operating rate of the facility degrades.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Solution
[7] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned
problems, and the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for calculating
and supervising the trip margin and the trip margin time of a facility inside a plant,
which has a trip setting value, so mat signals having a higher possibility of trip
occurrence and the movement of the entire signals are integrated and supervised on a
single screen.
[8] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus
for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility, the apparatus
including a measurement operation value collection means for collecting a
measurement operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the
industrial plant; a trip margin calculation means for receiving the measurement
operation value from the measurement operation value collection means and
calculating a trip margin; and a display means for displaying a trip margin having a
smallest value among trip margins of respective groups on a screen when there is a
plurality of groups of objects of interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised.
[9] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
apparatus for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility, the
apparatus including a measurement operation value collection means for collecting a
measurement operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the
industrial plant; a trip margin calculation means for receiving the measurement
operation value from the measurement operation value collection means and
calculating a trip margin; and a display means for displaying a predetermined number
of lowest trip margins among trip margins within an object of interest, the trip margin
of which is to be supervised, on a screen.
[10] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility by an
integrated trip margin supervising apparatus having a measurement operation value
collection means, a trip margin calculation means, and a display means, the method
including the steps of collecting a measurement operation value of a facility having a
trip setting value inside the industrial plant by the measurement operation value
collection means; calculating a trip margin from the measurement operation value and
storing the trip margin by the trip margin calculation means; and displaying a pre-
determined number of lowest trip margins among trip margins within an object of
interest on a screen on the display means when there is one object of interest, the trip
margin of which is to be supervised, or displaying each trip margin having a smallest
value among trip margins within each group on a screen when there is a plurality of
groups of objects of interest.
[11] According to the present invention, the trip margin of a facility in a plant, which has
a trip setting value, is supervised in the following manner: information regarding a trip-
related signal having the highest possibility of trip occurrence and the movement of the
entire trip-related signals are grouped and displayed on the screen so that related
people can supervise them more easily. As a result, operators can supervise abnormal
conditions of related facilities easily and detect any problem of a facility as early as
possible. This reduces the occurrence of trip and increases the operating rate of the
plant.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[12] FIG. 1 shows the construction of an apparatus for supervising the integrated trip
margin of an industrial plant facility according to first and second embodiments of the
present invention;
[13] FIG. 2 shows a tree structure obtained by grouping facilities of a nuclear power plant
in connection with the apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[14] FIG. 3 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a nuclear power plant
displayed on a display means 106 in connection with the apparatus for supervising the
integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[15] FIG. 4 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a turbine displayed on a
display means in connection with an apparatus for supervising the integrated trip
margin of an industrial plant facility according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[16] FIG. 5 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a nuclear power plant
displayed on a display means in connection with an apparatus for supervising the
integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility according to the second
embodiment of the present invention; and
[17] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for supervising the integrated trip margin of
an industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for the Invention
[18] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings,
the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and
so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted.
Furthermore, a detailed description of known functions and configurations in-
corporated herein is omitted to avoid making the subject matter of the present
invention unclear.
[19] FIG. 1 shows the construction of an apparatus for supervising the integrated trip
margin of an industrial plant facility according to first and second embodiments of the
present invention.
[20] The apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility
according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a measurement
operation value collection means 102 for collecting the measurement operation value
of a facility having a trip setting value inside the industrial plant, a trip margin
calculation means 104 for receiving the measurement operation value from the
measurement operation value collection means and calculating the trip margin, and a
display means 108 for displaying a trip margin having the smallest value among trip
margins of each group on a single screen, when there are plural groups of objects of
interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised.
[21] The measurement operation value collection means 102 shown in FIG. 1 detects the
measurement operation value of facilities having trip setting values inside the
industrial plant. Among measurement operation values detected by one of detection
methods, digital data may be directly transmitted to the trip margin calculation means
104. Among the detected measurement operation values, analog data may be converted
by an AD converter and transmitted to the trip margin calculation means 104.
[22] The trip margin calculation means 104 calculates the trip margin from the detected
measurement operation value.
[23] As used herein, the trip margin refers to at least one of the trip margin ratio of a trip-
related signal and the trip margin time.
[24] The trip margin ratio refers to a margin ratio of the measurement operation value of
trip-related signal to the trip setting value. The normal operation point, at which the
facility has a normal operation value, is defined as 100, and the trip occurrence point,
at which facility trip occurs, is defined as 0. Based on this definition, the degree of
closeness of the measurement operation value to the trip occurring point from the
normal operation point is given as a percentage.
[25] It will be assumed for example that a level controller of a S/G is controlled in the
range of 0-10m, the normal operation value is 5m, and the trip setting value is 8m.
Then, the difference between 8m and 5m (i.e. 3m) becomes the trip margin section,
and this change area of 3m is converted into a percentage between 0-100%.
[26] The trip margin ratio is calculated by equation (trip margin ratio = 11- (measurement
operation value normal operation value)/(trip setting value - normal operation
value)l*100). If the measurement operation value of the S/G level controller is 5m, the
trip margin ratio is calculated as 100%. If the measurement operation value is 6m, the
trip margin ratio is calculated as [1-(6-5)/(8-5)]*100 = 67%.
[27] The trip margin time refers to an estimated time when the measurement operation
value is supposed to reach the trip setting value, and can be calculated by using the
velocity of change of the measurement operation value, the acceleration, etc.
[28] According to a method for calculating the trip margin time by using the velocity of
change of the measurement operation value, the velocity of change of the measurement
operation value is calculated, and the time is obtained from equation [time =
I measurement operation value trip setting valuel/velocity].
[29] According to a method for calculating the velocity, the rate of change of the
measurement operation value is obtained at a regular time interval, and a pre-
determined number of last rates of change of the measurement operation value are
averaged to obtain a moving average value.
[30] For example, the rate of change of the measurement operation value is calculated
every second, and the last five calculation values are averaged to obtain the moving
average as the velocity.
[31] It will be assumed for example that the normal operation value of the level controller
of the S/G is 5m, and the trip setting value is 8m. Furthermore, the measurement
operation value is currently 6m, and the rate of change of the measurement operation
value at each second during the last five seconds is 0.1 m/s, 0.2m/s, 0.3m/s, 0.2m/s, and
0. lm/s, respectively. Then, the moving average of the five rates of change, i.e.
velocity, is 0.2m/s. Therefore, the trip margin section is 2m.
[32] The velocity of change of the measurement operation value is applied to equation
[time = Imeasurement operation value trip setting valuel/velocity], and the resulting
time is used to obtain the trip margin time as follows: I8m-6ml/0.2m/s=10s.
[33] Besides the velocity of change of the measurement operation value, it is also possible
to calculate the acceleration and obtain the trip margin time from equation [time =
(-velocity + (velocity2 - 4 * (acceleration/2) * (-trip margin section))½)/acceleration].
[34] More particularly, it is assumed that v, a, and c are the velocity, acceleration, and trip
margin section, respectively, and the law of acceleration is applied. Then, formula (a/2
* t2 + v * t = c) gives a second-order equation (a/2 * t2 + v * t - c = 0). Using the root
formula, t = (-v ± (v2 - 4 * a/2 * (-c))½)/(2 * a/2), and the time is obtained. In this case,
the time is a positive number, and formula t = (-v + (v2 - 4 * a/2 * (-c))½)/(2 * a/2) is
used.
[35] It will be assumed for example that the normal operation value of the level controller
of the S/G is 5m, and the trip setting value is 8m. In addition, the measurement
operation value is currently 6m, and, for the last two seconds, the measurement
operation value has changed as much as 0.1 m/s and 0.2m/s at each second. Then, the
acceleration is 0.1 m/s2. According to the present embodiment, the acceleration is
obtained by calculating the rate of change of the velocity of change of the
measurement operation value for two seconds.
[36] Therefore, the root formula of second-order equations is used to obtain the time at
which the trip setting value is reached from the above second-order equation (a/2 * t2 +
v * t - c = 0), to which the law of acceleration has been applied.
[37] By using formula t = (-v + (v2 - 4 * a/2 * (-c))1/2)/(2 * a/2), equation (0.1/2 * t2 + 0.2 *
t - 2 = 0) gives (t = (-0.2 + (0.22 - 4 * 0.1/2 * (-2))1/2)/(2 * 0.1 / 2)), and t=4.6s (wherein,
a is acceleration, v is velocity, and c is trip margin section).
[38] This means that trip is likely to occur after the trip margin time of 4.6 seconds.
[39] When there is a plurality of groups of objects of interest, the trip margin of which is
to be supervised, the display means 106 of the trip margin supervising apparatus
according to the first embodiment displays a trip margin having the smallest value
among trip margins within each group on a single screen. The object of interest may be
a plurality of predetermined groups. According to an alternative method, the apparatus
further includes a selection means 108 for selecting the object of interest and
transmitting it to the display means so that the supervising screen can switch.
[40] When the apparatus additionally includes a selection means 108, and when the
selection means 108 selects a single group as the object of interest, a predetermined
number of lowest trip margins among trip margins of the selected group may be
displayed on a single screen by an additional function.
[41 ] FIG. 2 shows a tree structure obtained by grouping facilities of a nuclear power plant
in connection with the apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[42] As shown in FIG. 2, facilities of the nuclear power plant are classified into three
large groups: nuclear reactor, turbine, and SI groups. Signals related to trip of the
nuclear reactor are classified into small groups: RX01, RX02, and RX03 groups.
Signals related to trip of the turbine are classified into small groups: TX01, TX02, and
TX03 groups. Signals related to trip of the SI are classified into small groups: SI01,
SI02, and SI03 groups. Such classification into large and small groups gives the tree
structure shown in FIG. 2.
[43] If the nuclear reactor, turbine, and SI have been designated as the object of interest,
the smallest trip margin in the nuclear reactor, the smallest trip margin in the turbine,
and the smallest trip margin in the SI can be displayed, respectively.
[44] When a group has been selected as the object of interest by the selection means 108,
a predetermined number of lowest trip margins among trip margins within the selected
group may be displayed on a single screen by an additional function. Particularly, if the
selection means 108 selects the nuclear reactor as the object of interest, and if the pre-
determined number is three, the trip margin of RX01, RX02, and RX03 are displayed.
[45] As mentioned above, the object of interest is either designated in advance or selected
by the selection means 108. Unless otherwise mentioned, it will be assumed in the
following description that the object of interest is selected by the selection means 108.
[46] In the case of a nuclear power plant shown in FIG. 2, the entire facilities are
classified into nuclear reactor, turbine, and SI groups, for example, and the selection
means 108 selects the nuclear reactor, the turbine, and the SI as the object of interest so
that, among trip margin ratios of each group, a trip margin ratio having the smallest
value can be displayed.
[47] In this manner, the trip margin of interest of facilities of each group of the nuclear
power plant can be supervised, as will be described later in more detail with reference
to FIG. 3. When the turbine is selected as the group to be displayed, it is possible to
choose to display the trip margin of interest of a predetermined number of facilities
having the smallest value among trip margins of a plurality of trip-related signals of the
turbine, as will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[48] The case of the nuclear power plant, facilities of which to be supervised are grouped
and assigned according to the tree structure shown in FIG. 2, as mentioned above, will
now be described as an example.
[49] The facilities of the nuclear power plant are classified into three large groups: nuclear
reactor, turbine, and SI groups, and three signals are assigned to each group. The
groups may also be subdivided if there are more signals.
[50] - Nuclear reactor: RXO1, RX02, and RX03
[51] - Turbine: TX01, TX02, and TX03
[52] -SI:SI01,SI02,andSI03
[53] It will be assumed that the trip margin ratio and the trip margin time of respective
signals are calculated in the following manner:
[54] - RX01: trip margin ratio = 70%, trip margin time = 30seconds
[55] - RX02: trip margin ratio = 80%, trip margin time = 40seconds
[56] - RX03: trip margin ratio = 90%, trip margin time = 40seconds
[57] - TX01: trip margin ratio = 35%, trip margin time = 50seconds
[58] - TX02: trip margin ratio = 70%, trip margin time = 60seconds
[59] - TX03: trip margin ratio = 80%, trip margin time = 60seconds
[60] - SI01: trip margin ratio = 50%, trip margin time = 100 minutes
[61] - SI02: trip margin ratio = 90%, trip margin time = 90seconds
[62] - SI03: trip margin ratio = 100%, trip margin time = 95seconds
[63] Among the entire signals, the smallest trip margin ratio signal and the smallest trip
margin time signal are as follows:
[64] - Smallest trip margin ratio: TX01, trip margin = 35%
[65] - Smallest trip margin time: RX01, trip margin time = 30seconds
[66] And the smallest trip margin ratio of each group is as follows:
[67] - Nuclear reactor: RX01, trip margin ratio = 70%
[68] - Turbine: TX01, trip margin ratio = 35%
[69] - SI: SI01, trip margin ratio = 50%
[70] Based on the above materials, the display screen according to the first embodiment is
constructed as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4.
[71 ] FIG. 3 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a nuclear power plant
displayed on a display means 106 in connection with the apparatus for supervising the
integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. The trip margin displayed in FIG. 3 is the trip margin ratio.
[72] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, facilities of a nuclear power plant are
classified into three large groups: nuclear reactor, turbine, and S/I groups, and the trip
margin ratio of interest of trip-related signals having the smallest trip margin ratio
within each group is displayed.
[73] As shown in FIG. 3, the display means 106 displays the smallest trip margin ratio
302 of the nuclear reactor, the smallest trip margin ratio 304 of the turbine, the smallest
trip margin ratio 306 of the SI, and the power plant trip point 308. The display means
106 may additionally display operation data 310 regarding a facility having the
smallest trip margin ratio of the power plant among the entire selected groups, and
operation data 312 regarding a facility having the smallest trip margin time of the
power plant.
[74] In FIG. 3, points indicating measurement operation values having the smallest trip
margin ratios 302, 304, and 306 for respective facility groups are positioned at the
center of the circle when power plant trip has occurred, i.e. when the trip margin ratio
is 0. In the case of a normal operation value, the point is positioned at the outermost
portion of the circle. In other words, the closer to trip, the more the point approaches
the center from the outer portion. A display function may be added so that, if a
measurement operation value changes in a direction facing the trip point, an arrow 314
faces the trip point, and if the measurement operation value changes in a direction
facing away from the trip point, the arrow faces away from the trip point.
[75] The length of an arrow may be varied depending on the velocity or acceleration. Par-
ticularly, the longer an arrow is, the larger the rate of change of the measurement
operation value is.
[76] Besides the above-mentioned display method of positioning the trip point at the
center of the circle, it is also possible to use a vertical bar graph, a horizontal bar graph,
etc.
[77] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the smallest trip margin ratio 302 of the nuclear
reactor among facilities within the nuclear power plant is 70%, the smallest trip margin
ratio 304 of the turbine is 35%, and the smallest trip margin ratio 306 of the SI is 50%.
[78] The trip margin display means 108 may additionally display operation data 310
regarding a facility having the smallest trip margin ratio among trip-related signals
displaying a group selected by the selection means, as well as operation data 312
regarding a facility having the smallest trip margin time.
[79] As shown in FIG. 3, a facility having the smallest trip margin ratio corresponds to the
TX01 signal of the turbine. Particularly, the trip margin ratio is 35%, the trip setting
value is 99 degrees, the normal operation value is 70 degrees, the current value is 88.8
degrees, and the trip margin time is 50 seconds.
[80] In addition, a facility having the smallest trip margin time corresponds to the RX01
signal of the nuclear reactor. Particularly, the trip margin ratio is 70%, the trip setting
value is 99 degrees, the normal operation value is 70 degrees, the current value is 78.8
degrees, and the trip margin time is 30 seconds.
[81] FIG. 4 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a turbine displayed on a
display means in connection with the apparatus for supervising the integrated trip
margin of an industrial plant facility according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[82] The screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed when the turbine on the screen shown in
FIG. 3 is selected by the selection means 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the display means
106 may display the TX02 trip margin ratio 402 of the turbine, the TX01 trip margin
ratio 404, the TX03 trip margin ratio 406, the turbine trip point 408, the operation data
410 regarding a facility having the smallest margin ratio of the turbine, and operation
data 412 regarding a facility having the smallest margin time of the turbine.
[83] In FIG. 4, points indicating measurement operation values having the smallest trip
margin ratios 402, 404, and 406 for respective facilities are positioned at the center of
the circle when turbine trip has occurred, i.e. when the trip margin ratio is 0. In the
case of a normal operation value, the point is positioned at the outermost portion of the
circle. In other words, the closer to trip, the more the point approaches the center from
the outer portion. A display function may be added so that, if a measurement operation
value changes in a direction facing the trip point, an arrow 414 faces the trip point, and
if the measurement operation value changes in a direction facing away from the trip
point, the arrow faces away from the trip point.
[84] The length of an arrow may be varied depending on the velocity or acceleration. Par-
ticularly, the longer an arrow is, the larger the rate of change of the measurement
operation value is.
[85] Various screen display methods may be used as follows: normal operation values are
positioned at the center of the circle, and trip setting values are positioned on the outer
side of the circle. Alternatively, a vertical or horizontal bar graph may be used.
[86] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the smallest trip margin ratio 402 of the TX02 signal
in the turbine within the nuclear power plant is 70%, the smallest trip margin ratio 404
of the TX01 signal is 35%, and the smallest trip margin ratio 406 of the TX03 signal is
80%.
[87] The trip margin display means 108 may additionally display operation data 410
regarding a facility having the smallest trip margin ratio among all trip-related signals,
as well as operation data 412 regarding facility having the smallest trip margin time.
[88] As shown in FIG. 4, a trip-related signal of the turbine having the smallest trip
margin ratio is TX01 signal. Particularly, the trip margin is 35%, the trip setting value
is 99 degrees, the normal operation value is 70 degrees, the current value is 88.8
degrees, and the trip margin time is 50 seconds.
[89] In addition, a trip-related signal of the turbine having the smallest trip margin ratio is
the TX01 signal. Particularly, the trip margin is 35%, the trip setting value is 99
degrees, the normal operation value is 70 degrees, the current value is 88.8 degrees,
and the trip margin time is 50 seconds.
[90] As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility according to a second embodiment of the present invention
includes a measurement operation value collection means 102 for collecting the
measurement operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the
industrial plant, a trip margin calculation means 104 for receiving the measurement
operating value from the measurement operation value collection means and
calculating the trip margin, and a trip margin display means 108 for displaying a pre-
determined number of lowest trip margins among trip margins within an object of
interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised, on a single screen.
[91] In FIG. 1, the measurement operation value collection means 102 detects the
measurement operation value of facilities having trip setting values inside the
industrial plant. Among measurement operation values detected by one of detection
methods, digital data may be directly transmitted to the trip margin calculation means
104. Among the detected measurement operation values, analog data may be converted
by an AD converter and transmitted to the trip margin calculation means 104.
[92] The trip margin calculation means 104 calculates the trip margin from the detected
measurement operation value.
[93] As used herein, the trip margin refers to at least one of the trip margin ratio of a trip-
related signal and the trip margin time.
[94] The trip margin ratio refers to a margin ratio of the measurement operation value of a
trip-related signal to the trip setting value. The normal operation point, at which the
facility has a normal operation value, is defined as 100, and the trip occurrence point,
at which facility trip occurs, is defined as 0. Based on this, the degree of closeness of
the measurement operation value to the trip occurrence point from the normal
operation point is given as a percentage.
[95] The trip margin time refers to an estimated time when the measurement operation
value is supposed to reach the trip setting value, and can be calculated by using the
velocity of change of the measurement operation value, the acceleration, etc.
[96] The method for calculating the trip margin ratio and the trip margin time, as well as
velocity and acceleration necessary to calculate them, may be the same as described
with reference to the apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment.
[97] A display method using the display means will now be described.
[98] It will be assumed that trip-related signals of the entire facilities having trip setting
values are as follows:
[99] - Nuclear reactor: RX01, RX02, and RX03
[100] - Turbine: TX01, TX02, and TX03
[101] It will be assumed that the trip margin ratio and the trip margin time of respective
signals are calculated in the following manner:
[102] - RX01: trip margin ratio = 70%, trip margin time = 30seconds
[103] - RX02: trip margin ratio = 95%, trip margin time = 40seconds
[104] - RX03: trip margin ratio= 100%, trip margin time = 40seconds
[105] - TX01: trip margin ratio = 95%, trip margin time = 50seconds
[106] - TX02: trip margin ratio = 90%, trip margin time = 60seconds
[107] - TX03: trip margin ratio = 80%, trip margin time = 60seconds
[108] Furthermore, it will be assumed in connection with display of a predetermined
number of lowest trip margins that the predetermined number is three, and the
displayed trip margin is the trip margin ratio.
[109] Based on the assumption that the predetermined number is three, the predetermined
number of lowest trip margins are: (RX01: 70%), (TX02: 90%), and (TX03: 80%).
[110] FIG. 5 shows a screen for supervising the trip margin of a nuclear power plant
displayed on a display means in connection with the apparatus for supervising the
integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[111] As shown in FIG. 5, the display means can display the RX01 trip margin ratio 502,
the TX03 trip margin ratio 504, the TX02 trip margin ratio 506, the power plant trip
point 508, operation data 510 regarding a facility having the smallest trip margin ratio
of the power plant, and operation data 512 regarding a facility having the smallest trip
margin time of the power plant.
[112] In FIG. 5, points indicating measurement operation values having a predetermined
number of lowest trip margin ratios 502, 504, and 506 are positioned at the center of
the circle when power plant trip has occurred, i.e. when the trip margin ratio is 0. In the
case of a normal operation value, the point is positioned at the outermost portion of the
circle. In other words, the closer to trip, the more the point approaches the center from
the outer portion. A display function may be added so that, if a measurement operation
value changes in a direction facing the trip point, an arrow 514 faces the trip point, and
if the measurement operation value changes in a direction facing away from the trip
point, the arrow faces away from the trip point.
[113] The length of an arrow may be varied depending on the velocity or acceleration. Par-
ticularly, the longer an arrow is, the larger the rate of change of the measurement
operation value is.
[114] Various screen display methods may be used as follows: normal operation values are
positioned at the center of the circle, and trip setting values are positioned on the outer
side of the circle. Alternatively, a vertical or horizontal bar graph may be used.
[115] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for supervising the integrated trip margin of
an industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[116] As shown in FIG. 6, the method for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility by the integrated trip margin supervising apparatus, which has a
measurement operation value collection means, a trip margin calculation means, and a
display means, includes the steps of collecting measurement the measurement
operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the industrial plant by the
measurement operation collection means (S602), calculating the trip margin from the
measurement operation value and storing the trip margin by the trip margin calculation
means (S604), displaying a predetermined number of lowest trip margins among trip
margins within an object of interest on a single screen on the display when there is
only one object of interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised, or displaying
each trip margin having the smallest value among trip margins of respective groups on
a single screen when there are plural groups of objects of interest (S606).
[117] As used herein, the trip margin refers to at least one of the trip margin ratio of a trip-
related signal and the trip margin time.
[118] The method for calculating the trip margin ratio and the trip margin time, as well as
velocity and acceleration necessary to calculate them, may be the same as described
with reference to the apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an
industrial plant facility according to the first embodiment.
[119] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for
illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,
additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the disclosed em-
bodiments of the present invention are not for limiting the technical idea of the
invention, but for describing it, and do not limit the scope of the present invention in
any manner. The scope of the present invention is to be interpreted by the ac-
companying claims, and any technical idea in the equivalent range is to be regarded as
included in the scope of the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
[120] The present invention is advantageous in that, when supervising the trip margin of a
facility within a plant, which has a trip setting value, information regarding a trip-
related signal having the highest possibility of trip occurrence and the movement of the
overall trip-related signals are grouped and displayed on the screen so that relevant
people can supervise them more easily. As a result, any abnormal condition of
facilities is detected as early as possible. This decreases the occurrence of trip, and
increases the operating rate of the plant.
Claims
[1] An apparatus for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant
facility, the apparatus comprising:
a measurement operation value collection means for collecting a measurement
operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the industrial plant;
a trip margin calculation means for receiving the measurement operation value
from the measurement operation value collection means and calculating a trip
margin; and
a display means for displaying a trip margin having a smallest value among trip
margins of respective groups on a screen when there is a plurality of groups of
objects of interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised.
[2] The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a selection means for
receiving an input regarding the object of interest and transmitting the object of
interest to the display means.
[3] The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the object of interest is selected by
the selection means.
[4] The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display means has an additional
function of displaying a predetermined number of lowest trip margins among trip
margins within a group on a screen when the group has been selected as the
object of interest by the selection means.
[5] The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display means is adapted to ad-
ditionally display a direction of change of the trip margin.
[6] The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trip margin is at least one of a
trip margin ratio and a trip margin time.
[7] The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trip margin ratio is a margin
ratio of the measurement operation value to the trip setting value obtained by
defining a normal operation point and a trip occurring point of the facility as 100
and 0, respectively, and expressing a degree of closeness of the measurement
operation value to the trip occurring point from the normal operation point as a
percentage.
[8] The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the trip margin time is an estimated
time when the measurement operation time is supposed to reach the trip setting
value.
[9] The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and applying
equation [time = Imeasurement operation value - trip setting valuel/velocity].
[10] The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the velocity is a moving average
value calculated by obtaining a rate of change of the measurement operation
value at a regular time interval and averaging a predetermined number of last
rates of change of the measurement operation value.
[11] The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and ac-
celeration and applying equation [time = (-velocity + velocity2 - 4 *
(acceleration/2) * (-trip margin section)) 1/2)/acceleration].
[12] An apparatus for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant
facility, the apparatus comprising:
a measurement operation value collection means for collecting a measurement
operation value of a facility having a trip setting value inside the industrial plant;
a trip margin calculation means for receiving the measurement operation value
from the measurement operation value collection means and calculating a trip
margin; and
a display means for displaying a predetermined number of lowest trip margins
among trip margins within an object of interest, the trip margin of which is to be
supervised, on a screen.
[13] The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a selection means for
receiving an input regarding the object of interest and transmitting the object of
interest to the display means.
[14] The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the object of interest is the
industrial plant.
[15] The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the object of interest is a facility
selected by the selection means.
[16] The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the display means is adapted to
additionally display a direction of change of the trip margin.
[17] The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trip margin is at least one of a
trip margin ratio and a trip margin time.
[18] The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the trip margin ratio is a margin
ratio of the measurement operation value to the trip setting value obtained by
defining a normal operation point and a trip occurring point of the facility as 100
and 0, respectively, and expressing a degree of closeness of the measurement
operation value to the trip occurring point from the normal operation point as a
percentage.
[19] The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the trip margin time is an
estimated time when the measurement operation time is supposed to reach the
trip setting value.
[20] The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and applying
equation [time = Imeasurement operation value - trip setting valuel/velocity].
[21] The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the velocity is a moving average
value calculated by obtaining a rate of change of the measurement operation
value at a regular time interval and averaging a predetermined number of last
rates of change of the measurement operation value.
[22] The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and ac-
celeration and applying equation [time = (-velocity + velocity2 - 4 *
(acceleration/2) * (-trip margin section))1/2)/acceleration].
[23] A method for supervising an integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility
by an integrated trip margin supervising apparatus having a measurement
operation value collection means, a trip margin calculation means, and a display
means, the method comprising the steps of:
collecting a measurement operation value of a facility having a trip setting value
inside the industrial plant by the measurement operation value collection means;
calculating a trip margin from the measurement operation value and storing the
trip margin by the trip margin calculation means; and
displaying a predetermined number of lowest trip margins among trip margins
within an object of interest on a screen on the display means when there is one
object of interest, the trip margin of which is to be supervised, or displaying each
trip margin having a smallest value among trip margins within each group on a
screen when there is a plurality of groups of objects of interest.
[24] The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the trip margin is at least one of a
trip margin ratio and a trip margin time.
[25] The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the trip margin ratio is a margin
ratio of the measurement operation value to the trip setting value obtained by
defining a normal operation point and a trip occurring point of the facility as 100
and 0, respectively, and expressing a degree of closeness of the measurement
operation value to the trip occurring point from the normal operation point as a
percentage.
[26] The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the trip margin time is an estimated
time when the measurement operation time is supposed to reach the trip setting
value.
[27] The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and applying
equation [time = Imeasurement operation value - trip setting valuel/velocity].
[28] The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the estimated time is obtained by
calculating velocity of change of the measurement operation value and ac-
celeration and applying equation [time = (-velocity + velocity2 -4 *
(acceleration/2) * (-trip margin section))1/2)/acceleration].

Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for supervising the integrated trip margin of an industrial plant facility. The
apparatus includes a measurement operation value collection means for collecting a measurement operation value of a facility having
a trip setting value inside the industrial plant; a trip margin calculation means for receiving the measurement operation value from
the measurement operation value collection means and calculating a trip margin; and a display means for displaying a trip margin
having a smallest value among trip margins ofrespective groups on a screen when there is a plurality of groups of objects of interest,
the trip margin of which is to be supervised. When supervising the trip margin of a facility within a plant, which has a trip setting
value, information regarding a trip-related signal having the highest possibility of trip occurrence and the movement of the overall
trip-related signals are grouped and displayed on the screen so that relevant people can supervise them more easily. As a result, any
abnormal condition of facilities is detected as early as possible. This decreases the occurrence of trip, and increases the operating
rate of the plant.