Study on the automatic procedure startup/shutdown control of a PWR nuclear power plant with advanced control

The increasing application requirements for Hualong One (HPR1000) Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) nuclear power Plant (NPP) require enhanced automation, particularly for critical yet understudied startups and shutdown processes. A HPR1000 automatic procedure startup/shutdown (APS) architecture with multi-layer module decoupling including human-machine collaboration and redundant interlocking is proposed. On this basis, different system coordinated control methods are combined with advanced control algorithms. Expert fuzzy control and active disturbance rejection control are designed to automate intractable manual regulation process. The designed level coordination controller has reduced the maximum fluctuation amplitudes of steam generator level, primary loop average temperature, pressurizer pressure and level by 46.3 %, 67.8 %, 80 % and 60.9 % respectively. The designed advanced controllers effectively satisfy requirements. The PWR Mode 4 startup process with the designed APS system has reduced the manual control steps from 140 to 28, with a reduction of 80 %. The proposed APS control can be extended to other nuclear power reactors. The application of the proposed APS control can significantly improve plant automation, reduce misoperation, relieve operator workload, and ensure the safe, economical, and reliable operation of the NPP.