Reconstructive Inverse Dynamics Control and Application to Xenon-Induced Power Oscillations in Pressurized Water Reactors

Abstract

Axial flux shape control in large pressurized water reactors constitutes one of the most challenging control problems in the nuclear field. In commercial plants, the practical solutions are obtained at the expense of departure from the most economical operational conditions, often due to the difficulties in monitoring xenon-induced oscillations and inadequate control actions. In this paper the concept of inverse dynamics in control is introduced as an alternative approach for spatial control. The method is tested through computer simulations using a validated nonlinear model that successfully represents the limit-cycle behavior. Compared with the widely used half-cycling strategy or the proposed optimal control method in the literature, the use of inverse dynamics for partial-length rod control yields desirable stability characteristics. The return to target axial offset exhibits a smooth transition without any residual flux oscillations between the upper and lower halves of the core. The proposed approach consists of a set of nonlinear algebraic equations for control with single-step solutions. Thus, it is easier to implement compared with iterative or integral techniques.