Advanced method for neutronics and system code coupling RELAP, PARCS, and MATLAB for instrumentation and control assessment. (1st June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Busquim e Silva, R.A.; Shirvan, K.; Cruz, J.J.; Marques, R.P.; Marques, A.L.F.; Piqueira, J.R.C.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 140(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-01
• Subjects: NPP control -- PWR -- Digital instrumentation -- MATLAB -- PARCS -- RELAP; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: Use of high level I&C MATLAB modeling capabilities to add flexibility to the simulation, as P3D/R5 has extremely limited supervision and control tools compared to MATLAB. Application of on-the-fly decision logic based on P3D/R5 simulation results (i.e., within each MATLAB time step, any I&C MATLAB decision rule has precedence over P3D/R5). Ability to assess separately the decision logic (MATLAB) from the NPP TH and NK points of view. Use of a coding strategy that enhances the coupling features without changing the nuclear binary source codes. Allow the assessment of the impact on the facility, from the thermo-hydraulic (TH) and neutronic (NK) point of view, provides significant opportunities for conducting cyber defense experiments. Abstract: The operation of current nuclear power plants (NPP) and the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors rely on digital instrumentation and control (I&C) and information technology systems. The growing use of digital systems implies considerable security and safety challenges, as the usual standard codes used for designing, licensing, and analyzing accidents over the last few decades have been limited in terms of I&C features. This study presents an innovative method to couple PARCS/RELAP5 with the high-performance language MATLAB/Simulink. As a proof-of-concept proof, a 2772 MWt pressurized water reactor modeled using the coupled package PARCS/RELAP5 is simulated. A supervisory system is implemented that allows MATLAB/Simulink to oversee the nuclear codes for exchanging online data. In addition, I&C high-level computing tools are added to the NPP model, endorsing the application of "on-the-fly" decision logics. The coding strategy does not change the nuclear binary source codes, as the PARCS/RELAP5 codes have been validated for design and licensing. By running open- and closed-loop cases for control rod assembly movement, we found that PARCS/RELAP5 capabilities for digital I&C modeling and simulations can be extended by adding MATLAB/Simulink flexibility.