Control system for gas turbine in material treatment unit

Abstract

This invention discloses systems and methods for control of a gas turbine or a gas turbine generator, where the gas turbine is connected to a dryer vessel in which gas turbine exhaust gases are used to heat treat a material in the dryer vessel. The control system comprises one or more sensors for temperature, moisture and/or flow rate in the dryer vessel and/or of the material inside, entering and/or exiting the dryer vessel and a controller responsive to the sensor for controlling the fuel and/or air flow into the gas turbine. This control system and method enables providing the appropriate heat output from the gas turbine to meet the process heat required for the desired material treatment. Optionally, the gas turbine can be a liquid fuel turbine engine, or a reciprocating engine can be substituted for the turbine engine.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . A controller for a material treatment system, including a gas turbine or reciprocating engine having its exhaust connected to a dryer vessel which is adapted for treating material with heat from the exhaust, comprising:
 a programmable computer adaptable for processing information from sensors detecting preselected conditions of the gas turbine operation, the dryer vessel operation or the material before, during or after treatment in the dryer vessel; for prioritizing sensor inputs for control and for commanding actuators for combustion air or fuel flow to the gas turbine.   
   
   
       37 . A controller according to  claim 36  further comprising a programmable aspect for commanding actuators for material flow to the dryer vessel.