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

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.