Control parameter optimization for AP1000 reactor using Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract The advanced mechanical shim (MSHIM) core control strategy is implemented in the AP1000 reactor for core reactivity and axial power distribution control simultaneously. The MSHIM core control system can provide superior reactor control capabilities via automatic rod control only. This enables the AP1000 to perform power change operations automatically without the soluble boron concentration adjustments. In this paper, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been applied for the parameter optimization of the MSHIM control system to acquire better reactor control performance for AP1000. System requirements such as power control performance, control bank movement and AO control constraints are reflected in the objective function. Dynamic simulations are performed based on an AP1000 reactor simulation platform in each iteration of the optimization process to calculate the fitness values of particles in the swarm. The simulation platform is developed in Matlab/Simulink environment with implementation of a nodal core model and the MSHIM control strategy. Based on the simulation platform, the typical 10% step load decrease transient from 100% to 90% full power is simulated and the objective function used for control parameter tuning is directly incorporated in the simulation results. With successful implementation of the PSO algorithm in the control parameter optimization of AP1000 reactor, four key parameters of the MSHIM control system are optimized. It has been demonstrated by the calculation results that the optimized MSHIM control system parameters can improve the reactor power control capability and reduce the control rod movement without compromising AO control. Therefore, the PSO based optimization method can be used to optimize MSHIM control system parameters to provide much better reactor control capabilities.

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