Direct cycle nuclear power plant stability analysis

A power plant with a heat exchanger such as a nuclear reactor substituted for the conventional chemical interburn-ers in a jet engine will cause a considerable change in dynamic performance. The instantaneous power generated by the heat source is not the same as the instantaneous power delivered to the turbine. The basic control problems are analyzed using fixed control parameters and partial derivatives around a given operating point. A mathematical criterion is developed and correlated with power plant test data. An understanding of the inherent limitations of combining a reactor, or any heat exchanger having a thermal lag, with a basic jet engine makes it possible to devise a means of control. The introduction of an effective operational speed control makes it possible to operate a complete power plant under any desired condition.