Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of pressurized water reactor steam-generator water-level control, designed for use within physically distributed testing environments

A hardware-in-the-loop model was developed to represent digital sensing and control of steam generator water-level. The model was created with an intention to serve as a component within a larger, distributed digital systems conceptual testing facility. In the present application, a software model simulates a nuclear pressurized water reactor core, and the core is cooled by a hardware and software model of a Westinghouse U-tube steam generator. The present application is configured using plant specifications consistent with “Plant X”.Software was written in C++¿¿, and hardware components include Phidgets and Measurement Computing digital input-output modules, proportional solenoid valves, a PC cooling pump, and gear pumps. This model assumes perfect implementation of sliding average-core-temperature control. During plant startup or normal operation, plant power precisely determines all steam flow characteristics. Liquid water simulates secondary coolant flow. Water pumped from a tank simulates steam, and recuperating feed water responds to subsequent level readings. Level readings as a function of plant power are measured and lie within the alarm-free region of the narrow range (+/-5% of the level set point). This design has been developed for incorporation within a distributed hardware/software component within a digital systems conceptual testing facility for digital systems testing by network-distributed control.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Brink, Michael Joseph

Contributors dc:contributor

• Smidts, Carol

• Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Hardware-in-the-loop
• PWR
• steam generator
• software simulation
• nuclear power
• pressurized water reactor
• digital instrumentation and control
• physically distributed testing

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1357273230

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1357273230