SIMULATION STUDY OF AN IMPROVED MECHANICAL SHIM CONTROL STRATEGY FOR AP1000 REACTOR

Abstract

In this paper, a Mechanical Shim (MSHIM) control system simulation platform for the AP1000 reactor which was said as a Generation III+ pressurized water reactor was developed. Based on this platform, simulation studies for three MSHIM control strategies were performed. It has been demonstrated by the analysis results that the improved MSHIM control strategy purposed in this paper not only can provide much tighter axial offset (AO) control but also can reduce the control rod movement, indicating its superiority than the original MSHIM control strategy. The study can be used as a reference for engineering practices.