Optimal control of a nuclear power plant

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5075015

Hardin, Jr, W B

A control technique based on Pontryagin's Maximum Principle was used and applied to a simplified model of a pressurized-water reactor. This study is different from that of previous researchers in that in addition to the reactor, some other important plant components were included in the model. The study involved four major activities: (1) development of a simple but reasonably representative mathematical model of a reactor including the additional plant components, (2) development of a performance criterion referred to as the performance index, (3) application of the calculus of variations to the systems equations in combination with the performance index to derive the optimal-control differential equations (Euler Lagrange equations), and (4) development of a computer program to iteratively solve the combined systems and Euler Lagrange differential equations to implement the control scheme. Application of the method developed is demonstrated for a series of power-plant maneuvers involving changes in nuclear and turbine electrical power and primary coolant and steam flow rates. The results demonstrate that such optimal control methods have potential for achieving more-effective control of plant performance, and this in turn should results in increased power plant economic viability.

• Research Organization: Catholic Univ. of America, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5075015
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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