Grant: NSERC/NRCan/AECL Generation IV Energy Technologies Program

Canadian Direct Cycle Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor known as SCWR is one of the Generation IV reactors. The main difference from existing reactors is that the coolant is operating under supercritical condition to achieve high thermal efficiency and compact footprint. As such, at the same power level, the energy concentration in a SCWR is much higher than that of a conventional reactor. This poses unique control problems, as they are much more sensitive to any disturbances. Furthermore, the high pressure and temperature make the implementation of the measurement and control systems much more challenging. The main focus of this project is to investigate dynamic behaviors of a SCWR by creating a set of control system design friendly mathematical models. The models will then be used to design suitable control schemes with due considerations of limitations on the measurement and actuator systems for plant start-up, shutdown and during normal operation. The goal of the research is to come up with control strategies, models, and design tools for Canadian Direct Cycle SCWR to achieve safe and efficient operation. Due to the fact that this new reactor type is still under development, a flexible control system design and analysis platform will be created to account for any design modifications.