Non linear model validation and second order sliding mode controller design for a research reactor

The paper pertains to model validation and novel higher order sliding mode controller design for a nuclear research reactor. Sliding mode controllers for nuclear reactors were reported before but higher sliding mode controllers have added advantage of reduced chattering. The linear and nonlinear models of Pakistan Research Reactor-1 (PARR-1) have been tuned and validated with experimental data. These models are subsequently used for higher order sliding mode controller design and performance evaluation. The accurate mathematical model is essential for controller design. Certain parameter values have been recalculated to ensure model accuracy. The nonlinear model is linearized by perturbation method and a five state linear model is derived. For linear model simplicity six group parameters are approximated by a single group model parameter values. After model validation a second order sliding mode controller (super twisting algorithm) is applied on non linear model for regulating output power. The robustness of the design is tested with different types of disturbances and uncertainties. Model behaved well in dealing with uncertainties and disturbance rejection, thus proving its robustness.