Nuclear Reactor Control via Predictive and Sequenced Gain Algorithms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear reactors face challenges in regulating operating parameters to adapt to intermittent renewable energy sources and meet restrictive multi-objective specifications, as existing PID-based systems inadequately manage stress on actuators and parameter variations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving predictive control and sequenced gain control algorithms to regulate nuclear reactor operating parameters, including average temperature and axial power imbalance, using a supervisor and regulator to develop corrective commands for actuators, while ensuring compliance with multi-objective constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PID-based regulatory systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to minimize variations of operating parameters and stresses on actuators is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The regulatory system is divided into multiple independent modules: a supervisor module that generates reference trajectories, a regulator module that computes control commands, and a actuator module that executes commands. Each module handles specific aspects of control, allowing complex multi-objective regulation to be achieved through coordinated simple modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic adaptive control where the supervisor continuously updates reference trajectories based on current operating conditions, and the regulator dynamically adjusts control commands to minimize deviations from references while respecting actuator constraints. This dynamic adaptation enables compliance with varying specifications without requiring a completely complex static system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexibility in power production is increased to adapt to renewable energy, then adaptability improves, but variations of operating parameters and stresses on actuators increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisor module pre-calculates reference trajectories for operating parameters based on anticipated power production variations. By planning control paths in advance, the system can adapt to flexibility requirements while ensuring that parameter variations remain within acceptable limits and actuator stresses are minimized throughout the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator continuously monitors actual operating parameters and compares them with reference values, then adjusts control commands to minimize deviations. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when flexibility-induced variations occur, the system actively compensates to maintain parameter stability and reduce actuator stresses.
Data Source
AI summary
A method regulates operating parameters comprising at least the mean temperature of the core (Tm), and the axial power (AO) imbalance. The method includes development of a vector (US) of control values of the nuclear reactor by a supervisor (31) implementing a predictive control algorithm; development of a vector (uK) of corrective values of the nuclear reactor controls by a regulator (33) implementing a sequenced gain control algorithm; development of a vector (U) of corrected values of the commands of the nuclear reactor, by using the vector (US) of the values of the commands produced by the supervisor (31) and the vector (uK) of the corrective values of the commands produced by the regulator (33); and regulation of the operating parameters of the nuclear reactor, by controlling actuators using the vector (U) of the corrected values of the controls.