Publications Details
Prompt critical control of the ACRR using a linear quadratic regulator design
This paper describes the application of linear control design techniques to the problem of nuclear reactor control. The control algorithm consists of generating a nominal trajectory within the control authority of the reactor rod drives, and then following this trajectory with a gain scheduled linear quadratic regulator (LQR). A controller based on this algorithm has generated power pulses up to 100 MW on Sandia's Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR). Prompt critical control at $1.02 net reactivity and controlled start up rates over 350 DPM have also been demonstrated using tills controller.