High current regulated, variable DC power supplies for simulating power transients expected in nuclear reactors

The paper highlights the design and control of DC power supplies used for direct heating applications in the experimental facilities for simulating various kinds of power transients like reactor decay power curve, loss of coolant accident, reactor setback and stepback patterns, etc. expected in nuclear reactors. High current regulated thyristor controlled DC power supplies designed have superior response than those of power transients. The DC power has been controlled by using programmable ramp generator which generates the reference voltage proportional to the square root of power and feeds to the control circuit of the power supply for simulating the power transients precisely.