LQG/LTR robust control of nuclear reactors with improved temperature performance

Controller robustness is always a major concern. A controller that meets certain performance design objectives cannot be satisfactory unless it can preserve such quality in the presence of expected uncertainties. For nuclear reactors, a controller that preserves stability and performance for a wide range of operating conditions and disturbances is especially desirable. This paper presents the design of a robust controller using the linear quadratic gaussian with loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) for nuclear reactors with the objective of keeping a desirable performance for reactor fuel temperature and temperature of the coolant leaving the reactor for a wide range of reactor power. The obtained results are compared to an observer-based state feedback optimal reactor temperature controller. Sensitivity analysis of the dominant closed-loop eigenvalues and nonlinear simulation are used to demonstrate and compare the performance and robustness of the two controllers. The LQG/LTR approach is systematic, methodical, easy to design, and can give improved temperature performance over a wide range of reactor operation.