Modeling and Estimation of Nuclear Reactor Performance Using Fractional Neutron Point Kinetics with Temperature Effect and Xenon Poisoning

This paper discusses modeling of the performance of a VVER-type nuclear power plant using the Fractional Neutron Point Kinetics (FNPK) model. The modeling intent is to achieve a nonlinear system of fractional-order differential equations that are solved using SIMULINK by developing a scheme with the FOMCON Toolbox in the Matlab® environment. The model is shown to be identifiable, and the goodness of fit between the measurements and the model’s output is improved as a result of employing the optimized fractional differential equation. Benchmarking the results of the FNPK model against those from the optimized Classical Neutron Point Kinetics model shows that the FNPK model is superior.