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Performance of a pressurized water reactor power estimation algorithm

Journal Article · · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5446393
The performance of a Kalman filter that estimates core power in a pressurized water reactor was evaluated using data from the Loss of Fluid Test (LOFT) Reactor and linear error analysis techniques. The Kalman filter provides a more accurate core power estimate in real time than does the conventional method of power estimation. Accuracies of better than 0.75% of rated power are obtained with the Kalman filter. If this accuracy improvement can be translated into higher levels of power operation, then more revenue can be generated by a commercial power plant. Scaling the LOFT (50-MW(thermal)) accuracy improvement up to a 1000-MW(electric) commercial power plant size, assuming that average power production is increased by the amount of the accuracy improvement, results in more than $800,000 of extra revenue per year ($0.06/kw-h).
Research Organization:
EG and G Idaho, Inc., P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415
OSTI ID:
5446393
Journal Information:
Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 60:1; ISSN NUTYB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English