Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Optimal control theory of load-following and parameter-tracking of nonlinear systems: An application of Pontryagin Maximum Principle to reactor dynamics

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5535567

A demand-following and parameter tracking algorithm has been developed which utilizes the Pontryagin Maximum Principle (PMP). Starting from a variational principle, we have derived the methodology for the construction of a Hamiltonian function, with the analytical properties required by the application of the Pontryagin Maximum Principle method to Free Terminal Time optimization problems. A crucial result has been the conversion of the two point boundary value problem, typical of the Pontryagin Maximum Principle method for nonlinear systems, into a noniterative initial value problem. The introduction of sensor signals information, as a set of differential equations complementing the model's equation, allows the reformulation of parameter tracking algorithms as control optimization problems, where the demands are the plant signals, and the controls the time-varying plant parameters. The present algorithm allows correction for the time delays which affect the information flowing from the plant. The control algorithm presented in this paper has been validated against a nonlinear mode of a nuclear power plant with time-varying parameters. 10 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5535567
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-10662; ON: DE88004770
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English