Session: 04-05: SMRs, Advanced Reactors and Fusion

Paper Number: 134369

134369 - Inventory Control Strategy and Dynamic Modelling of a 1mwe Hexe Brayton Cycle Reactor System 

Abstract: 

The small mobile nuclear power system using HeXe Brayton cycle as its energy conversion system has promising application potential. Among the research of HeXe Brayton cycle, control strategies get a lot of attention, which make variable operation of the system possible. Besides, dynamic performance of the system in part-load condition would be greatly affected by control strategies. Among various control strategies, inventory control is widely used in load-following process as it enables the system to remain high efficiency during load regulation. However, the inventory tank uses pressure differentials to circulate working fluid from one point to another, so compared to other control strategies, it has a slower response time, which need to be improved. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate inventory control from the perspectives of reactor thermal-hydraulic conditions, system response speed, and efficiency. After that, modify inventory control to meet the rapid load change process while remain high efficiency and safe operation of the system.

 

In this study, a one-dimensional dynamic model of simple HeXe close Brayton cycle reactor power conversion system, as well as its main equipment, has been proposed. Focusing on inventory control, the effects of initial tank volume and pressure on load range that the control strategy could meet were investigated. The open loop simulation of coolant mass in the loop was carried out, establishing the basis for load-following process under inventory control. After that, to improve its disadvantage, inventory control has been modified for rapid load regulation by combining with valve control. Moreover, the anti-surge control was also included, for safety considerations.

 

The study proved that the range of operating power for inventory control is dependent on the size of the tank and initial pressure. On the contrary, initial temperature of the tank has little impact on regulatory capacity. Furthermore, the results of open loop simulation also indicate that inventory control would face a risk of compressor surge under low operating conditions and there would be a decline in effectiveness after anti-surge control came into use. By combining valve control with inventory control, quick response and relatively higher efficiency have been achieved when systems are subjected to various load demands under this control strategy compared to valve control and traditional inventory control. This study provides a new load-following control strategy, suitable for rapid load changes, with higher thermal efficiency and demonstrates the potential for integrating multiple control strategies, providing insight into the optimization of load-following control strategies.

Presenting Author: Xinyu Li Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Presenting Author Biography: Master student, school of mechanical engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
focusing on advanced nuclear energy conversion systems

Authors:

Xinyu Li Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chaoran Guan Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiang Chai Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiaojing Liu Shanghai Jiao Tong University