Study and development of advanced control techniques for nuclear reactors and robots

This dissertation studies and develops some aspects of the Optimal Control Theory with the objective of evaluating the benefits that the nuclear industry could obtain by applying these advanced control techniques.

First, the basic relationship between Optimal Control Theory and Closed-Loop Control Design has been identified. As a result of this work, new algorithms have been developed for feedback implementations. The applicability of these new algorithms to problems such as state estimation, filtering, model update, and model decoupling has been studied. In addition, new alternatives to control design that are not based on Optimal Control Theory have been developed.

A broad range of application examples have been presented for several physical systems, including pressurized water nuclear reactors, boiling water nuclear reactors, steam generators, and robotics.