Dynamic Control Analysis of the AFR-100 SMR SFR With a Supercritical CO2 Cycle and Dry Air Cooling: Part I — Plant Control Optimization

Supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle power converters can benefit advanced nuclear reactors, as well as small modular reactors, by reducing the plant cost and increasing plant electrical output. The sCO2 cycles can also be designed for operation under direct dry air cooling. This paper presents the results of the coupled control analysis of a sCO2 cycle for a 100 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor. The plant control mechanisms were investigated and optimized for load following operation.