Axial power distribution control in pressurized water reactors based on flow rate regulation based on distributed...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Engineering
• Control Theory
• Reactor Physics

Background:

• Axial power distribution control in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) traditionally relies on soluble boron concentration and control rod bank adjustments.
• These conventional methods generate significant liquid waste and limit reactor core compactness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an innovative axial power distribution control method for PWRs utilizing flow rate regulation.
• To reduce dependence on boron and control rod manipulations, thereby minimizing liquid waste and facilitating more compact reactor designs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a unique PWR core exponential stability condition based on Sum of Differences of Linear Matrix Inequalities (SDLMI) from distributed parameter control theory.
• Establishment of a distributed parameter state observer for feedback of unmeasurable parameters like power density, delayed neutron precursor density, and Boron concentration.

Main Results:

• The proposed flow rate regulation method effectively inhibits power density peaks.
• Numerical experiments demonstrate the method's efficiency in eliminating hot spots within the reactor core.

Conclusions:

• Flow rate regulation offers a viable and efficient alternative for controlling axial power distribution in PWRs.
• This innovative approach contributes to waste reduction and potential for more compact nuclear reactor designs.