Thermoflow, Inc. TOPS stands for Thermoflow’s Optimization System and is a general purpose optimizer for use with Thermoflow’s core programs. TOPS runs from inside the MS Excel environment just like ELINK.  TOPS helps you optimize power plant design by finding the set of design parameters that maximizes Return on Investment (ROI), or Net Present Value (NPV), or provides highest efficiency.  TOPS helps you optimize plant operation by finding equipment loads that maximize profit, or minimize fuel consumption, or maximize dispatch. WHAT IS TOPS?

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Base Case You create the TOPS Base Case in any of Thermoflow’s main programs, GT PRO, STEAM PRO, GT MASTER, STEAM MASTER, or THERMOFLEX. TOPS lets you input values for any program inputs, such as ambient condition, and lets you choose any other inputs for TOPS to automatically adjust, such as equipment loads. You can choose any core program outputs to use in your optimization function, such as net power, total heat input, etc.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) New TOPS Workbook Thermoflow-TOPS menu in Excel gives access to all functions. You begin by loading an existing file created with any of Thermoflow’s core programs.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Inputs with known values Virtually any core program input can be set from within Excel. Inputs are listed in a tree structure that follows the menu structure in the core program. Some core model inputs have known values that you enter. Examples are ambient temperature, known design parameters, limits on permissible equipment loading, etc. These inputs are set by the user and not adjusted during the optimization calculation.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Inputs with unknown values Some core model inputs have unknown values that TOPS will find for you. Starting from an initial guess, and working in a specified range, TOPS calculates values for these inputs that maximize (or minimize) your objective function. Examples are equipment design parameters for optimized plant design, or equipment load levels for optimizing plant operation.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Outputs for Optimization Finally, you choose the core program output variables you want to include in the function to optimize. You can choose any program outputs that you could review using the core program itself. To optimize plant operation, choose the net output power, total fuel consumption as primary values used in calculating operating profit, a common function to optimize.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Main Worksheet Model inputs treated as givens have values you specify and are not changed during optimization. Model inputs for TOPS to adjust are those core program inputs that can vary (within specified range) that affect the function to optimize. TOPS finds values for these inputs that maximizes or minimizes your objective function. Model outputs are values calculated by the core program that you use in your function top optimize. You supply a function to optimize using standard Excel features. Here, revenues & expenses are calculated by combining core program performance outputs with prices to find operating profit.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Calculation TOPS runs the calculation engine for the core program from Excel. It manages all input and outputs for you and provides the result back in Excel upon convergence. TOPS uses a well-proven and robust optimization method capable of navigating the potentially non-linear parameter space defined by your objective function. As TOPS iterates, it displays progress in Excel, or it can run in “quiet” mode where it runs in the background. TOPS can be made to run online by providing inputs to Excel, and by harvesting outputs from Excel using a bridge program connected to the plant’s DCS.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Tabulate Results In this example, TOPS predicts optimized cooling system operation. It determines (1) how many circ pumps to run, and (2) how many cooling tower cells to operate. The best combination generates maximum operating profit. The core model considers in detail, all the elements that affect plant performance, such as steam turbine leaving loss, circ pump power, pressure loss in condenser at different cooling flows, and cooling tower fan auxiliary power.

Thermoflow Optimization System (TOPS) Plot Results In this example, TOPS predicts optimum air-cooled condenser design pressure, the value that maximizes the Net Present Value (NPV). The core model considers the thermodynamic impact of reduced condenser pressure, as well as the economic impact of higher capital cost, given estimates for electricity, fuel, and O&M prices over the plant’s anticipated lifetime.