A Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy power-distribution method for a prototypical advanced reactor considering pump degradation

Abstract

Abstract Advanced reactor designs often feature longer operating cycles between refueling and new concepts of operation beyond traditional baseload electricity production. Owing to this increased complexity, traditional proportional–integral control may not be sufficient across all potential operating regimes. The prototypical advanced reactor (PAR) design features two independent reactor modules, each connected to a single dedicated steam generator that feeds a common balance of plant for electricity generation and process heat applications. In the current research, the PAR is expected to operate in a load-following manner to produce electricity to meet grid demand over a 24-hour period. Over the operational lifetime of the PAR system, primary and intermediate sodium pumps are expected to degrade in performance. The independent operation of the two reactor modules in the PAR may allow the system to continue operating under degraded pump performance by shifting the power production between reactor modules in order to meet overall load demands. This paper proposes a Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy logic-based power distribution system. Two T–S fuzzy power distribution controllers have been designed and tested. Simulation shows that the devised T–S fuzzy controllers provide improved performance over traditional controls during daily load-following operation under different levels of pump degradation.