Instrumentation and control strategies for an integral pressurized water reactor

• Main Authors: Belle R. Upadhyaya, Matthew R. Lish, J. Wesley Hines, Ryan A. Tarver
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2015-03-01
• Series: Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• Subjects: Control development; Integral pressurized water reactor; Nonintrusive measurement; Reactor system modeling; Sensor placement; Small modular reactor
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573315000030

Several vendors have recently been actively pursuing the development of integral pressurized water reactors (iPWRs) that range in power levels from small to large reactors. Integral reactors have the features of minimum vessel penetrations, passive heat removal after reactor shutdown, and modular construction that allow fast plant integration and a secure fuel cycle. The features of an integral reactor limit the options for placing control and safety system instruments. The development of instrumentation and control (I&C) strategies for a large 1,000 MWe iPWR is described. Reactor system modeling—which includes reactor core dynamics, primary heat exchanger, and the steam flashing drum—is an important part of I&C development and validation, and thereby consolidates the overall implementation for a large iPWR. The results of simulation models, control development, and instrumentation features illustrate the systematic approach that is applicable to integral light water reactors.