Inventory Control Strategy and Dynamic Modelling of a 1 MWe HeXe Brayton Cycle Reactor System

Abstract The small mobile nuclear power system using the HeXe Brayton cycle as its energy conversion system has promising application potential. Among the research, control strategies get a lot of attention, which makes variable operation of the system possible. Among various control strategies, inventory control is widely used in the load-following process as it enables the system to remain high efficiency during load regulation. However, compared to other control strategies, it has a slower response time, which needs to be improved. In this study, a one-dimensional dynamic model of a simple HeXe close Brayton cycle reactor power conversion system, as well as its main equipment, has been proposed. Focusing on inventory control, the effects of initial tank volume and pressure on load range that the control strategy could meet were investigated. The open loop simulation of coolant mass in the loop was carried out. After that, to overcome its disadvantage, inventory control has been modified for rapid load regulation by combining with valves, so that the optimized inventory control method could meet the rapid load change process while maintaining high efficiency and safe operation of the system.