High-speed dynamic simulation of nuclear power plants

A new methodology for high-speed simulation and analysis of nuclear power system dynamics was developed. The proposed approach is to first identify inherent parallelism and then secondly, to develop parallel algorithms. The latter includes numerical integration and table lookup, and appropriate computer-system architecture and performance-analysis procedures that facilitate the optimal use of system resources. Software for the dynamic simulation of nuclear power plants was developed in order to create a program running on the proposed parallel-processing, modular-simulation computer system. A parallel-processing modular simulation system using high-performance processors was utilized in order to achieve high-speed dynamic simulation in an optimally combined way; namely, modular representation of physical systems, multi-rate integration algorithms, and improved table look-up techniques. Several multi-rate integration algorithms that maintain the desired accuracy and computational speed are chosen and investigated. A performance evaluation of the proposed methodology developed was completed, which was based upon benchmark simulations for pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant dynamics