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Optimization of the load-following strategy and fault operation analysis for a compact megawatt nuclear power system

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Zhenlan
  • Wang, Zheng
  • Gou, Junli
  • Jiang, Dingyu
  • Wu, Hexin
  • Shan, Jianqiang

Abstract

A compact megawatt nuclear power system, which couples a heat pipe cooled reactor with a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle (named SUPERHERO system), has been proposed as a power source for large unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). The operational performance of UUVs is directly affected by the regulation capability of the system's output power. Consequently, in order to enhance the load-following capability of the SUPERHERO system, the characteristics of the system at different load-following rates are analyzed in this study, and then the optimization directions for the original control system are proposed. One direction is that the traditional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers are replaced with the BP neural network PID controllers to enhance the system's load-following capability by coupling the developed transient analysis code with the MATLAB/SIMULINK platform. Another direction is that the target values of the control parameters are optimized to enhance the load-following capability. Firstly, the impact of the target values of the control parameters on the load variation capabilities is analyzed, and then the optimization parameters and objectives are determined. Based on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), the optimal target values of the control parameters are obtained, and the system's load-following rate is successfully increased to 18.4 % of full power per minute. Subsequently, based on the optimized control system, the transient characteristics of the system are also analyzed under the scenario of a single control system failure. The results show that the special attention should be paid to the variation rate of the turbine inlet temperature and the failure of the compressor throttle valve.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Zhenlan & Wang, Zheng & Gou, Junli & Jiang, Dingyu & Wu, Hexin & Shan, Jianqiang, 2025. "Optimization of the load-following strategy and fault operation analysis for a compact megawatt nuclear power system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225050650
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Yaping & Wang, Ying & Huang, Diangui, 2019. "Supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle: A state-of-the-art review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Li, Jingkang & Hu, Zunyan & Jiang, Hongsheng & Guo, Yuchuan & Li, Zeguang & Zhuge, Weilin & Xu, Liangfei & Li, Jianqiu & Ouyang, Minggao, 2023. "Coupled characteristics and performance of heat pipe cooled reactor with closed Brayton cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
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    4. Jiang, Qingfeng & Wang, Pengfei, 2025. "NSGA-II algorithm based control parameters optimization strategy for megawatt novel nuclear power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    5. Jiang, Yuan & Liese, Eric & Zitney, Stephen E. & Bhattacharyya, Debangsu, 2018. "Design and dynamic modeling of printed circuit heat exchangers for supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton power cycles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1019-1032.
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