| Abstract: | Control algorithms are proposed for on-line computer control of the repetitive-accelerator fast-pulsed reactor. Firstly, simplification of the reactor core dynamics is obtained by regression analysis technique in order to obtain a compact model of the pulsed reactor. Secondly, a start-up control algorithm to avoid severe thermal shock in the fuel rod is proposed. This is essentially a programmed control, whereby the external neutron source from the accelerator and the external reactivity are controlled in such manner that the fuel temperature would follow a predetermined time trajectory. Applicability of the method to the reactor start-up is proved by a computer simulation experiment. Thirdly, a control concept for constant power operation is proposed. This is composed of two control loops: (1) a fine control loop, which responds quickly to small variations of reactor power, and (2) a diagnosis and adaptation loop, which judges whether a large deviation from set-up value observed on the reactor power output is due to an abnormality in the external neutron source, or to a change of the set-up value itself, and then adaptively returns the reactor power to the set-up value. A computer simulation experiment demonstrated the validity of the control system characteristics. A discussion is also presented on the problems foreseen in applying the proposed methods to the actual design of a digital computer control system. |
