Analysis, modeling and simulation of a DC supply with load power control

Cryogenic isotope separation column cascade is complex equipment, with special control challenges. One of the main manipulated variables in these plants is the value of the instantaneous electrical power transferred to the heating resistor in the subsystem called boiler. In order to avoid any electromagnetic interference between various sensors attached to each column, the heating resistors must be supplied in DC. Unfortunately DC power supplies are subject to inherent power line variations, which change the output voltage value and also to resistance variations with temperature. For an efficient plant operation it is necessary to control the instantaneous power delivered by the supply despite all these disturbances. The present paper deals with this control strategy, developing the necessary mathematical models of the process and designing proper controllers. The simulation scenarios take into account all disturbing effects and preserving accurate results.