Design of a Multivariable Controller for a CANDU 600 MWe Nuclear Power Plant Using the INA Method

摘要

The development of large and complex nuclear and process plants requires high-performance control systems, designed with rigorous multivariable techniques. This work is part of an analytical study demonstrating the real potential of multivariable methods. It covers every step in the design of a multi-variable controller for a Gentilly-2 type CANDU 600 MWe nuclear power plant using the Inverse Nyquist Array (INA) method. First the linear design model and its preliminary modifications are described. The design tools are reviewed and the operations required to achieve open-loop diagonal dominance are thoroughly described. Analysis of the closed-loop system is then performed and a feedback matrix is selected to meet the design specifications. The performance of the controller on the linear model is verified by simulation. Finally, the controller is implemented on the reference non-linear model to assess its overall performance. The results show that the INA method can be used successfully to design controllers for large and complex systems. (Atomindex citation 16:042646)