Power Schedule Optimization of the PIK Reactor to Accelerate Power Buildup During Startup

Abstract

The possibility of accelerating power buildup in the PIK reactor during startup by optimizing the power schedule is investigated. The analysis concerns the neutronic aspects and takes into account xenon processes, fuel burnup, and limits on reactivity excess and reactor power. A numerical method based on the principle of optimality with reactor power as a control is used to solve the problem. It is shown for one of the power start-up phases of the PIK reactor that optimization of the power schedule makes it possible to accelerate the passage of the phase by 1/4 as compared with a four-step power schedule. The possibility of optimal passage of a portion of the phase in the self-regulation regime of the reactor is considered. It is established that this regime is unstable for the actual power range in practice.