The OAPS solution: a real-time predictive system for flexible PWR operation

TL;DR

This paper introduces the OAPS system, a real-time predictive control solution using model predictive control to enhance safe, flexible, and efficient PWR nuclear power plant operations with new advanced strategies.

Contribution

The paper presents three novel advanced control strategies integrated into the OAPS system for improved PWR operation, validated on a Framatome simulator.

Findings

Validated the conventional axial offset control on full-scope simulators.

Developed and showcased three new advanced control strategies.

Demonstrated improved power variation rates and effluent minimization.

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative solution designed to facilitate safe and flexible operation of nuclear power plants. The purpose of this new device, named OAPS system, is to provide optimal strategies (e.g., axial offset control, xenon oscillations mitigation, effluent minimization) and real-time recommendations (e.g., dilution and boration flowrates, turbine power setpoints and variation rates) to help NPP operators perform power variations confidently and efficiently. In fact, just as a GPS navigator optimizes and modifies its planned route according to the current position of the user, the OAPS system regularly updates its recommendations based on the latest plant measurements. To achieve this, the OAPS system relies on a well-established -yet cutting-edge in the nuclear industry -advanced control technique known as model predictive control. The conventional axial offset control strategy of the OAPS system was previously validated on both Framatome's full-scope PWR simulator and EDF's full-scope N4 simulator. In this paper, three new advanced strategies are showcased on an intermediate-complexity PWR simulator developed by Framatome: 1) determination of the fastest feasible power variation rates, 2) accelerated cancellation of axial power oscillations and 3) minimization of water and boron effluents.