Optimization for the Parameters of Feedwater Control System for OPR1000 Nuclear Power Plants

The control systems for the nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) make the nuclear power plant (NPP) operate efficiently under transient conditions as well as steady state conditions. The control performance of the NSSS control systems depends on their own control algorithms and relevant parameters such as gain values, time constants and so on. Currently, the values of these parameters are determined based on sensitivity studies using system simulation computer code and engineering judgments. In this study, the optimization for the parameters of the feedwater control system (FWCS) is performed to provide it with a better control performance. The optimization objective is to minimize deviation of the steam generator (SG) water level during transients. In this case, analytic objective function does not exist and the responses to input can be evaluated by computer simulations only. Therefore the simulation optimization methodology is used and the response surface methodology (RSM) is adopted as the simulation optimization algorithm. As a result, the control performance of the FWCS is remarkably improved