Control system design for a pressure-tube-type supercritical water-cooled nuclear reactor via a higher order sliding mode method

Nuclear power plants exhibit non-linear and time-variable dynamics.Therefore,designing a control system that sets the reactor power and forces it to follow the desired load is complicated.A supercritical water reactor(SCWR)is a fourth-generation conceptual reactor.In an SCWR,the non-linear dynamics of the reactor require a controller capable of control-ling the nonlinearities.In this study,a pressure-tube-type SCWR was controlled during reactor power maneuvering with a higher order sliding mode,and the reactor outgoing steam temperature and pressure were controlled simultaneously.In an SCWR,the temperature,pressure,and power must be maintained at a setpoint(desired value)during power maneuvering.Reactor point kinetics equations with three groups of delayed neutrons were used in the simulation.Higher-order and classic sliding mode controllers were separately manufactured to control the plant and were compared with the PI controllers speci-fied in previous studies.The controlled parameters were reactor power,steam temperature,and pressure.Notably,for these parameters,the PI controller had certain instabilities in the presence of disturbances.The classic sliding mode controller had a higher accuracy and stability;however its main drawback was the chattering phenomenon.HOSMC was highly accurate and stable and had a small computational cost.In reality,it followed the desired values without oscillations and chattering.

Dynamic simulation analysis of molten salt reactor-coupled air-steam combined cycle power generation system

A nonlinear dynamic simulation model based on coordinated control of speed and flow rate for the molten salt reactor and combined cycle systems is proposed here to ensure the coordination and stability between the molten salt reactor and power system.This model considers the impact of thermal properties of fluid variation on accuracy and has been validated with Simulink.This study reveals the capability of the control system to compensate for anomalous situations and maintain shaft stability in the event of perturbations occurring in high-temperature molten salt tank outlet parameters.Meanwhile,the control system’s impact on the system’s dynamic characteristics under molten salt disturbance is also analyzed.The results reveal that after the disturbance occurs,the controlled system benefits from the action of the control,and the overshoot and disturbance amplitude are positively correlated,while the system power and frequency eventually return to the initial values.This simulation model provides a basis for utilizing molten salt reactors for power generation and maintaining grid stability.

Calculation and analysis of losses of magnetic-valve controllable reactor

Magnetic-valve controllable reactor(MCR)has characteristics of DC bias and different types of magnetic flux density in the magnetic circuit and winding current distortion.These characteristics not only lead to loss calculation method of MCR different from that of power transformer,but also make it more difficult to calculate the core loss and wingding loss of MCR accurately.Our study combines core partition method with dynamic inverse J-A model to calculate the core loss of MCR.The winding loss coefficient of MCR is proposed,which takes into account the influence of harmonics and magnetic flux leakage on the winding loss of MCR.The result shows that the proposed core loss calculation method and winding loss coefficient are effective and correct for the loss calculation of MCR.

PCTRAN Westinghouse AP1000 Power Control of Pressurized Water Reactor Using Simulink of MATLAB

This paper introduces the simulation, and controls using Simulink of MATLAB for PCTRAN (Personal Computer Transient Analysis) of the power control system (PWR) type pressurized water reactor of PWR WESTINGHOUSE AP1000. The power controller model produces mathematical model description in nonlinear relation form in Simulink of MATLAB which is an important and popular program used at most universities for education. The power controller is described by a block diagram in this paper and some details introduce to clearly understand the work function. The results of action control compared with the PCTRAN programme in modes of automatic and manual control.

Simulation Analysis of Control System in an Innovative Magnetically-Saturated Controllable Reactor

Controllable saturation reactors are widely used in reactive power compensation. The control system of controllable saturation reactor determines adaption speed, accuracy, and stability. First, an innovative type of controllable saturation reactor is introduced. After that the control system is designed, and a self-tuning algorithm in PID controller is proposed in the paper. The algorithm tunes PID parameters automatically with different error signals caused by varied loads in power system. Then the feasibility of the above algorithm is verified by Simulink module of Matlab software. The results of simulation indicate that the control system can efficiently reduce adaption time and overshoot.

Analysis on the Fast Excitation System of Composite Magnetic Controllable Reactor

The fast excitation system of a composite magnetic controllable reactor is introduced. In this excitation system, a bidirectional function （i.e. fast forward excitation and backward forcible demagnetization） is available, which can significantly improve the response speed, performances, and application scope of magnetic controllable reactor.

2D multi-model general predictive iterative learning control for semi-batch reactor with multiple reactions

Batch to batch temperature control of a semi-batch chemical reactor with heating/cooling system was discussed in this study. Without extensive modeling investigations, a two-dimensional(2D) general predictive iterative learning control(2D-MGPILC) strategy based on the multi-model with time-varying weights was introduced for optimizing the tracking performance of desired temperature profile. This strategy was modeled based on an iterative learning control(ILC) algorithm for a 2D system and designed in the generalized predictive control(GPC) framework. Firstly, a multi-model structure with time-varying weights was developed to describe the complex operation of a general semi-batch reactor. Secondly, the 2 D-MGPILC algorithm was proposed to optimize simultaneously the dynamic performance along the time and batch axes. Finally, simulation for the controller design of a semi-batch reactor with multiple reactions was involved to demonstrate that the satisfactory performance could be achieved despite of the repetitive or non-repetitive disturbances.

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on Nitrite Accumulation in Real-time Control Biological Nitrogen Removal Sequencing Batch Reactor

In this study,four sequencing batch reactors(SBR),with the sludge retention time(SRT)of 5,10,20 and 40 d,were used to treat domestic wastewater,and the effect of SRT on nitrite accumulation in the biological nitrogen removal SBR was investigated.The real-time control strategy based on online parameters,such as pH,dissolved oxygen(DO)and oxidation reduction potential(ORP),was used to regulate the nitrite accumulation in SBR. The model-based simulation and experimental results showed that with the increase of SRT,longer time was needed to achieve high level of nitritation.In addition,the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)was higher when the SRT was relatively shorter during a 112-day operation.When the SRT was 5 d,the system was unstable with the mixed liquor suspended solids(MLSS)decreased day after day.When the SRT was 40 d,the nitrification process was significantly inhibited.SRT of 10 to 20 d was more suitable in this study.The real-time control strategy combined with SRT control in SBR is an effective method for biological nitrogen removal via nitrite from wastewater.

Improved Generalized Predictive Control Algorithm with Offline and Online Identification and Its Application to Fixed Bed Reactor

An improved generalized predictive control algorithm is presented in thispaper by incorporating offline identification into online identification. Unlike the existinggeneralized predictive control algorithms, the proposed approach divides parameters of a predictivemodel into the time invariant and time-varying ones, which are treated respectively by offline andonline identification algorithms. Therefore, both the reliability and accuracy of the predictivemodel are improved. Two simulation examples of control of a fixed bed reactor show that this newalgorithm is not only reliable and stable in the case of uncertainties and abnormal disturbances,but also adaptable to slow time varying processes.

Dynamics and Predictive Control of Gas Phase Propylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

A two-phase dynamic model, describing gas phase propylene polymerization in a fluidized bed reactor, was used to explore the dynamic behavior and process control of the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature. The open loop analysis revealed the nonlinear behavior of the polypropylene fluidized bed reactor, jus- tifying the use of an advanced control algorithm for efficient control of the process variables. In this case, a central- ized model predictive control （MPC） technique was implemented to control the polypropylene production rate and reactor temperature by manipulating the catalyst feed rate and cooling water flow rate respectively. The corre- sponding MPC controller was able to track changes in the setpoint smoothly for the reactor temperature and pro- duction rate while the setpoint tracking of the conventional proportional-integral （PI） controller was oscillatory with overshoots and obvious interaction between the reactor temperature and production rate loops. The MPC was able to produce controller moves which not only were well within the specified input constraints for both control vari- ables, but also non-aggressive and sufficiently smooth for practical implementations. Furthermore, the closed loop dynamic simulations indicated that the speed of rejecting the process disturbances for the MPC controller were also acceotable for both controlled variables.

The Design and Control of Distillation Column with Side Reactors for Chlorobenzene Production

The distillation column with side reactors (SRC) can overcome the temperature/pressure mismatch in the traditional reactive distillation, the column operates at temperature/pressure favorable for vapor-liquid separation, while the reactors operate at temperatures/pressures favorable for reaction kinetics. According to the smooth operation and automatic control problem of the distillation column with side reactors (SRC), the design, simulation calculation and dynamic control of the SCR process for chlorobenzene production are discussed in the paper. Firstly, the mechanism models, the integrated structure optimal design and process simulation systems are established, respectively. And then multivariable control schemes are designed, the controllability of SRC process based on the optimal steady-state integrated structure is explored. The dynamic response performances of closed-loop system against several disturbances are discussed to verify the effectiveness of control schemes for the SRC process. The simulating results show that the control structure using conventional control strategies can effectively overcome feeding disturbances in a specific range.

Mathematical Model and Advanced Control for Gas-phase Olefin Polymerization in Fluidized-bed Catalytic Reactors

In this study, the developments in modeling gas-phase catalyzed olefin polymerization fluidized-bed reactors （FBR） using Ziegler-Natta catalyst is presented. The modified mathematical model to account for mass and heat transfer between the solid particles and the surrounding gas in the emulsion phase is developed in this work to include site activation reaction. This model developed in the present study is subsequently compared with well-known models, namely, the bubble-growth, well-mixed and the constant bubble size models for porous and non porous catalyst. The results we obtained from the model was very close to the constant bubble size model, well-mixed model and bubble growth model at the beginning of the reaction but its overall behavior changed and is closer to the well-mixed model compared with the bubble growth model and constant bubble size model after half an hour of operation. Neural-network based predictive controller are implemented to control the system and compared with the conventional PID controller, giving acceptable results.

Reaction Selectivity Improvement for Reduction of Nitrobenzene in a Packed-Bed Electrode Reactor under Periodic-Current Control

Rectangular wave current control of the electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene im-proves the selectivity for p-aminophenol(PAP) compared to direct current(d.c.) control at thesame average current density in a flow-by packed-bed reactor.Optimal increase in PAP selectivitycan be obtained at about a frequency of 50Hz and a duty cycle of 0.2.A mathematical model isset up to incorporate the effects of mass transfer,hydrogen evolution and double layer charging,and is solved using the Duhamel’s superposition principle and the modified Crank-Nicolson methodwith the upwind scheme.The conventional d.c.control cases are also calculated for comparison.Calculations can be applied to predict the reaction results under periodic current and d.c.control,but both display the same trends compared to experimental data.

Quantification and control of restrictive ecological factors in acidogenic de-sulfate bioreactor

As an artificial microbial ecosystem, acidogenic de sulfate bioreactor has high efficiency of sulfate removal. The restrictive ecological factors, including causing ecological factors, such as COD/SO 4 2- ratio and sulfate loading rate (Ns), and following ecological factors, such as pH value, oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and alkalinity (ALK) have significant effect on the ability and stability of acidogenic de sulfate bio reactor. Continuous flow and batch test were carried out to investigate the quantification and control of COD/SO 4 2- ratio, Ns, pH value, ORP and ALK in acidogenic de sulfate bioreactor supplied with molasses wastewater as sole organic carbon source and sodium sulfate as electron donor. It was demonstrated that In order to maintain high sulfate removal rate (SRR) of 80% to 90%, the restrictive factors should meet all the requirement as follows: k COD/ SO 4 2-  ratio≥2.0, Ns≤7.5 kg (m 3·d) -1 ,pH=5.7～6.2,ORP=-320～-420 mV and  ALK= 1 500～2 000 mg/L.

Development of a Novel Feedforward Neural Network Model Based on Controllable Parameters for Predicting Effluent Total Nitrogen

The problem of effluent total nitrogen(TN)at most of the wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)in China is important for meeting the related water quality standards,even under the condition of high energy consumption.To achieve better prediction and control of effluent TN concentration,an efficient prediction model,based on controllable operation parameters,was constructed in a sequencing batch reactor process.Compared with previous models,this model has two main characteristics:①Superficial gas velocity and anoxic time are controllable operation parameters and are selected as the main input parameters instead of dissolved oxygen to improve the model controllability,and②the model prediction accuracy is improved on the basis of a feedforward neural network(FFNN)with algorithm optimization.The results demonstrated that the FFNN model was efficiently optimized by scaled conjugate gradient,and the performance was excellent compared with other models in terms of the correlation coefficient(R).The optimized FFNN model could provide an accurate prediction of effluent TN based on influent water parameters and key control parameters.This study revealed the possible application of the optimized FFNN model for the efficient removal of pollutants and lower energy consumption at most of the WWTPs.

MHD Stability Analysis and Flow Controls of Liquid Metal Free Surface Film Flows as Fusion Reactor PFCs

Numerical and experimental investigation results on the magnetohydrodynamics（MHD） film flows along flat and curved bottom surfaces are summarized in this study. A simplified modeling has been developed to study the liquid metal MHD film state, which has been validated by the existing experimental results. Numerical results on how the inlet velocity（V）, the chute width（W） and the inlet film thickness（d0） affect the MHD film flow state are obtained. MHD stability analysis results are also provided in this study. The results show that strong magnetic fields make the stable V decrease several times compared to the case with no magnetic field,especially small radial magnetic fields（Bn） will have a significant impact on the MHD film flow state. Based on the above numerical and MHD stability analysis results flow control methods are proposed for flat and curved MHD film flows. For curved film flow we firstly proposed a new multi-layers MHD film flow system with a solid metal mesh to get the stable MHD film flows along the curved bottom surface. Experiments on flat and curved MHD film flows are also carried out and some firstly observed results are achieved.

Robust Nonlinear Control of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors

This paper deals with the temperature tracking control problem of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) widely used in chemical engineering. Design of robust tracking controller for a class of CSTRs plant with uncertainties is presented using input output feedback linearization techniques. The control scheme has been applied to a first order irreversible exothermic reaction process carried out in a CSTR, and simulation results show that it is effective.

Application of pH control to a tubular flow reactor

Tubular flow reactors are mainly used in chemical industry and waste water discharged units. Control of output variables is very difficult because of the existence of high dead-time in these types of reactors. In the present work, sodium hydroxide and acetic acid solutions were sent to the tubular flow reactor. The aim was to control p H at 7 in the nonlinear region. The p H control of a tubular flow reactor with high time delay and a highly nonlinear behavior in p H neutralization reaction was investigated experimentally in the face of the various load and set point changes. Firstly, efficiency of conventional Proportional-Integral-Derivative(PID) algorithm in the experiments was tested. Then self-tuning PID(STPID) control system was applied by using the ARMAX model. The model parameters were calculated from input–output data by using PRBS signal as disturbance and Bierman algorithm. Lastly, the experimental fuzzy control of p H based on fuzzy model was achieved to compare the success of fuzzy approach with the performance of other control cases studied.

Non-integer Order Control Scheme for Pressurized Water Reactor Core Power

Tracking load changes in a pressurized water reactor(PWR)with the help of an efficient core power control scheme in a nuclear power station is very important.The reason is that it is challenging to maintain a stable core power according to the reference value within an acceptable tolerance for the safety of PWR.To overcome the uncertainties,a non-integer-based fractional order control method is demonstrated to control the core power of PWR.The available dynamic model of the reactor core is used in this analysis.Core power is controlled using a modified state feedback approach with a non-integer integral scheme through two different approximations,CRONE(Commande Robuste d’Ordre Non Entier,meaning Non-integer orderRobust Control)and FOMCON(non-integer order modeling and control).Simulation results are produced using MATLAB■program.Both non-integer results are compared with an integer order PI(Proportional Integral)algorithm to justify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.Sate-spacemodel Core power control Non-integer control Pressurized water reactor PI controller CRONE FOMCON.

Modeling of Fuel Elements Cycling System in Pebble Bed Reactor Based on Timed Places Control Petri Nets

Pebble bed reactors use cycling scheme of spherical fuel elements relying on fuel elements cycling system (FECS). The structure and control logic of FECS are very complex. Each control link has strict requirements on time and sequence. This increases the difficulties of description and analysis. In this paper, timed places control Petri nets (TPCPN) is applied for the modeling of FECS. On this basis the simulation of two important processes, namely uploading fuel elements into the core for the first time and emptying the core is finished by simulation software Arena. The results show that as TPCPN is able to describe different kinds of logic relationship and has time properties and control properties, it’s very suitable for the modeling and analysis of FECS.