Research reactor power controller design using an output feedback nonlinear receding horizon control method

A constrained, output feedback nonlinear receding horizon control (NRHC) method is applied to design a research reactor power controller. The method uses a nonlinear plant model subject to state, control and terminal set constraints; a nonlinear cost function; and a high gain observer. The controller regulates reactor power from 1% to 100% of full power; considers known disturbances, such as reactivity insertions and changes in core inlet flow and temperature; and includes upper limits constraints on neutron flux, neutron flux rate, core outlet temperature and core inlet–outlet temperature difference. Simulation results show an excellent performance for power regulation and known disturbances rejection: all process variables are kept within the admissible limits avoiding the actuation of the safety systems.