Radial basis function networks applied to DNBR calculation in digital core protection systems

The nuclear power plant has to be operated with sufficient margin from the specified DNBR limit for assuring its safety. The digital core protection system calculates on-line real-time DNBR by using a complex subchannel analysis program, and triggers a reliable reactor shutdown if the calculated DNBR approaches the specified limit. However, it takes a relatively long calculation time even for a steady state condition, which may have an adverse effect on the operation flexibility. To overcome the drawback, a new method using a radial basis function network is presented in this paper. Nonparametric training approach is utilized, which shows dramatic reduction of the training time, no tedious heuristic process for optimizing parameters, and no local minima problem during the training. The test results show that the predicted DNBR is within about ±2% deviation from the target DNBR for the fixed axial flux shape case. For the variable axial flux case including severely skewed shapes that appeared during accidents, the deviation is within about ±10%. The suggested method could be the alternative that can calculate DNBR very quickly while guaranteeing the plant safety.