Patent ID: 6198786
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of controlling the system pressure in a power generating system comprised of a turbine-generator and a boiling water reactor, the boiling water reactor including a pressure vessel containing a nuclear fuel core, control rods, and a recirculation flow control system, the power generating system configured so that a core thermal power converts water into steam for driving the turbine-generator to produce electric power, and steam is converted back to water and returned to the boiling water in a closed loop, the turbine-generator includes main turbine control valves to control steam input into the turbine generator, the system pressure being controlled in a turbine control valve modulation pressure control mode, said method comprising the steps of:setting the main turbine control valves to a constant and steady position greater than 75% of wide open; andcontrolling the system pressure to be within a predetermined range by utilizing a core thermal power modulation mode, the core thermal power modulation mode comprising adjusting the core thermal power of the reactor.