Steam generator identification using piecewise affine model

Abstract

The role of steam generators in power plants is to remove the thermal power produced in the first cycle and provide the turbine intake steam. Controlling the steam generator water level has an important role in preventing unwanted turbine trips and decreasing power plant operability. In this research, a steam generator is identified in the form of a Piecewise Affine AutoRegessive eXogenous (PWARX) structure. The real data for identification is extracted from RELAP5 thermo–hydraulic code. In addition, the minimum number of feasible subsystems (MIN PFS) algorithm is applied for the steam generator piecewise affine identification. The results show good ability of the identified model to track the RELAP5 data. The proposed model can be used in future researches for controlling and analyzing the steam generator. Also, a corresponding feedback controller can be designed for each subsystem in steam generator piecewise affine model.