Expansion of a test bed for advanced reactor monitoring and control

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2000 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:20093642

Edwards, R M

In previously completed work, the Penn State TRIGA reactor was established as a test bed for monitoring and control research for nuclear reactors. The essential component of this research reactor application is a means for an experiment to change reactor power through an experimental changeable reactivity device (ECRD). An ECRD is implemented as a TRIGA reactor moveable experiment where an aluminum tube containing an absorber material is positioned within the central thimble of the reactor by an experimental setup. The test bed capabilities are now being expanded to enhance research for monitoring, operations, and control under a US Department of Energy Nuclear Engineering Education and Research (NEER) grant initiated in 1999. Areas in which the capabilities of the test bed are being expanded are (a) experimental computer hardware and software upgrades, (b) additional ECRDs, (c) power-reactor thermal-hydraulic simulation fidelity in a hybrid reactor simulator (HRS) application, and (d) incorporation of a thermal-hydraulic testloop in the HRS paradigm. This summary describes progress in (a) and (b).

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (US)
• OSTI ID: 20093642
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 82; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
MODIFICATIONS
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
PSTR REACTOR
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
REACTOR MONITORING SYSTEMS
TEST FACILITIES