Theses and Dissertations Collection

Control of advanced reactor system consisting of a nuclear reactor, an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX), and a secondary heat exchanger (SHX) is investigated in this research. Initial transient analysis of the system was conducted using commercially available process simulation softwares PRO-II and DYNSIM. System parameters of significance – controlled and manipulated variables – were identified, and a control strategy was developed to maintain the controlled variables at their set points. The system response was simulated for various load disturbances, initially for the coupled heat exchangers system, followed by incorporation of the reactor dynamics in the system. Alternate strategies to control the temperature entering the process or power conversion unit (PCU) by either manipulating the secondary loop flow rate, controlling reactor power, or a combination of the two methods were investigated. Combining both methods of control showed great utility in controlling the temperature entering the process and may be an ideal method for control.