Patent ID: 8699653
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G21C,G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a pressurized water reactor that has a core of a plurality of fuel assemblies and at least a first bank of control rods that are primarily moved into and out of selected fuel assemblies in the core to adjust the axial flux difference to substantially maintain or restore the axial flux difference within a first target band and at least a second bank of control rods that are primarily moved into and out of other selected fuel assemblies in the core to adjust the average temperature of the core to substantially maintain or return the average temperature to within a second target band, wherein the first bank of control rods and second bank of control rods are not moved together, comprising the steps of: giving the second bank of control rods priority of movement when the first bank of control rods and the second bank of control rods receive at the same time a demand signal to move in different directions; and giving the first bank of control rods priority of movement when the first bank of control rods and the second bank of control rods receive at the same time a demand signal to move in the same direction.