The three-dimensional power distribution control in load following of the heating reactor

A new optimizing objective (three-dimensional power distribution control) f or the load-following problem in nuclear reactor is presented. To realize s uch an objective. a combination of Harmonic Synthesis Method and Nodal Meth od has been practiced on the numeric calculation for optimizing problem on the 200 MW Heating Reactor, in which the control rods serve as the only con trol variables. In contrast, most of the load-following problems have been solved under a one-dimensional neutron model. And it seems that such a mode l is not suitable for the reactor core whose power was controlled only by c ontrol rods. In this case, the control rod causes a strong absorption of ne utron in a local area thus makes the radial power distribution play a much more important role in the load-following process. As the 3-dimensional mod el is used and the corresponding method is performed. both of the total pow er level and power distribution are controlled well. For example. the power peak-factor is lower about 4% than that with one-dimensional method. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.