User interface for Validation of power control algorithms in a TRIGA reactor

The development of a user interface whose main purpose is the testing of new power control algorithms in a TRIGA Mark III reactor is presented. The interface is fully compatible with the current computing environment of the reactor’s operating digital console. The interface, developed in Visual Basic, has been conceived as an aid tool in the testing and validation of new and existing algorithms for the ascent, regulation and decrease of the reactor power. The interface calls a DLL file that contains the control program, makes available to the user the plant and controller parameters, and displays some of the key variables of the closed loop system. The system also displays the condition of the reactor with respect to the nuclear safety constraints imposed by the Mexican Nuclear Regulatory Commission (CNSNS). One of the algorithms under test is based on a control scheme that uses variable state feedback gain and prediction of the state gain that guarantee the compliance of the safety constraints.