Title: Robust observer-based non-linear control for PWR nuclear reactors with bounded xenon oscillations during load-following operation using two-point nuclear reactor model

Authors: Saeed Saadatzi; Gholamreza Ansarifar

Addresses: Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Sciences & Technologies, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran ' Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Sciences & Technologies, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, Sliding Mode Control (SMC) which is a robust nonlinear controller is designed to control the pressurised-water nuclear reactor power for the load-following operation problem that ensures xenon oscillations are kept bounded within acceptable limits. Considering neutron absorber poisons and regarding the limitations of the xenon concentration and delayed neutrons precursors densities measurement, a sliding mode observer is designed to estimate their values and finally an SMC based on the sliding mode observer is presented to control the reactor core power. The reactor core is simulated based on the two-point nuclear reactor model and three delayed neutrons groups. The stability analysis is given by means of the Lyapunov approach, thus the control system is guaranteed to be stable within a large range. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller in terms of performance, robustness and stability.

Keywords: sliding mode control; two-point nuclear reactor model; sliding mode observe; normalised axial xenon oscillation; normalised axial offset; Lyapunov approach.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2017.085075

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2017 Vol.11 No.1, pp.22 - 55

Received: 18 Jun 2016
Accepted: 15 Dec 2016
Published online: 10 Jul 2017 *

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