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U.S. Department of Energy
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Stochastic optimal control of a pressurized water reactor system

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5332883
This dissertation presents the design of a stochastic optimal controller for a Pressurized Water Reactor System. The design includes the optimal control matrix and the optimal filter for the system. The controller design is for a Westinghouse PWR design. The material presented includes the development of a nonlinear deterministic model of the system and a linearized model derived from the nonlinear model. Validation of both the nonlinear and linear deterministic models is included. The deterministic model is augmented to include the statistical properties of the plant variables and the measurement system. In order to enhance implementation of the optimal controller and optimal filter, the problem is formulated and solved for the steady state controller and filter. The system model developed is consistent with the desire for the steady state solution to the optimal filter and optimal control problems. The design of the optimal controller involves the specification of the weighting matrices to be used as part of the performance index. A method for determining the weighting matrices which includes evaluation of the resulting control system performance is presented. The performance of the resulting control system is given and the applicability of the specified performance index over the operating range demonstrated. This dissertation demonstrates the applicabilty of modern control design techniques to large capital intense systems such as a nuclear power plant. The resulting controller and optimal filter are of a nature that they can be readily implemented using current state-of-the-art equipment.
Research Organization:
Pittsburgh Univ., PA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5332883
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English