Pseudo Bond Graph Representation of PWR Pressurizer Dynamics

A fifth-order nonlinear model of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) pressurizer is developed using a pseudo bond graph approach. The model assumes separation of the vapor and liquid phases within the pressurizer and bulk condensation and boiling are included. An iterative procedure is employed to compute pressurizer pressure and water level. The model performance is validated using data obtained from a PWR test facility. In those validations, model predictions of pressure and level are (with one exception) always within actual measurement error bounds.