Optimized fractional-order PID controller based on nonlinear point kinetic model for VVER-1000 reactor

Riham M. Refeat; Rania A. Fahmy

doi:10.1515/kern-2021-0038

Article

Optimized fractional-order PID controller based on nonlinear point kinetic model for VVER-1000 reactor

Riham M. Refeat and Rania A. Fahmy

Published/Copyright: February 14, 2022

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From the journal Kerntechnik Volume 87 Issue 1

Abstract

Nuclear reactor dynamics are nonlinear and time-varying, so the power level control is a challenging problem in nuclear power plants (NPPs) to ensure both its operation stability and efficiency. An important measure to improve the safety of the reactor core of NPP is the implementation of robust control for the core by adjusting the inserted reactivity of the control rods. Thus in the present paper, fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller is developed as it is well known for its simplicity and robustness against disturbances. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to determine FOPID controller parameters to achieve the desired power level for the generation III+ reactor VVER-1000. Implementing the GA, a suitable objective function is proposed to search for the optimal FOPID parameters. The nonlinear model of the VVER-1000 nuclear reactor is presented based on the point kinetic equations with six delayed neutron groups and temperature feedback from lumped fuel and coolant temperatures. Two cases for the VVER-1000 reactor are investigated; the changes in the power loads and the control rod withdrawal that leads to reactivity disturbance. Moreover, the uncertainties that result from model parameters perturbation are added to examine the controller robustness. The simulation results show that the proposed optimized FOPID controller can track the desired power level of the VVER-1000 reactor and robustly cope with any load changes, disturbances, or any parameters uncertainties. Also, it proves the superiority of the proposed optimized FOPID controller over other PID controllers in ensuring the safe and effective operation of the VVER-1000 reactor.

Keywords: Fractional order PID (FOPID) controller; point kinetic model; power level control; VVER-1000 nuclear reactor

Corresponding author: Rania A. Fahmy, Operational Safety and Human Factors Department, Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA), Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: Raniaafahmy@yahoo.com

Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

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Received: 2021-05-15

Published Online: 2022-02-14

Published in Print: 2022-02-23

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https://doi.org/10.1515/kern-2021-0038

Keywords for this article

Fractional order PID (FOPID) controller; point kinetic model; power level control; VVER-1000 nuclear reactor