Real time simulation and analysis of nuclear core temperature monitoring system for PFBR

Real time simulation of process models are in heavy demand in the present day industrial scenario especially in Nuclear Power Plant scenario. Nuclear core being the most important and critical component in the Nuclear reactor, the primary concern is towards safe and efficient operation of the reactor by adopting better techniques for monitoring and control of the reactor. Effort is on at global level to develop and build a Training Simulator, covering all the reactor subsystems to impart comprehensive training to Nuclear Power Plant operators. This paper describes about the importance of Core Temperature Monitoring System for Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), real time modeling and simulation of core temperature monitoring system, the basic requirements and methodologies adopted for modeling and simulation. The simulation includes run time calculation for all the fuel subassemblies (SA) outlet temperature and plugging or flow blockage of fuel subassembly for Equilibrium core. Equilibrium core is the state where fuel Subassemblies in the core have burnt for a definite period of time. The code calculates the individual subassembly outlet temperature according to flow and power fraction for that SA, Mean core outlet temperature and rise in mean core outlet temperature. At the time of flow blockage of a subassembly, the deviation in individual subassembly outlet temperature increases over its expected value and if it crosses its threshold, the SCRAM signal is initiated i.e. reactor comes to shutdown state automatically. The paper also discusses about the Integration of Core Temperature Monitoring logic model to the Simulator Environment and the integrated testing with simulator.