Fast Robust Switching Control Scheme for PWR-Type Nuclear Power Plants

In sophisticated and complex systems such as nuclear power plant, maintaining the system's stability in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances is the most challenging problem. Thus, to assure the satisfactory and safe operation, this work proposes a novel fast robust optimal switching control strategy for pressurized water reactor-type nuclear power plants. The proposed control strategy guarantees a substantial degree of robustness, fast dynamic response over the entire operational envelope, and optimal performance during nominal operation of the plant. A bank of controllers is designed which consist of baseline controller, an optimal controller, and a robust controller. At any instant of time, the most suitable controller from the bank of controllers is selected using the switching logic unit that designates the controller by monitoring the health of the plant or transients. Simulation studies have been performed that demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed switching control scheme over some conventional control techniques used to design it.