Optimization of a Boiling Water Reactor Loading Pattern Using an Improved Genetic Algorithm

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2003 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:20837772

Kobayashi, Yoko ^[1]; Aiyoshi, Eitaro ^[2]

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1. TEPCO Systems Corporation (Japan)
2. Keio University (Japan)

A search method based on genetic algorithms (GA) using deterministic operators has been developed to generate optimized boiling water reactor (BWR) loading patterns (LPs). The search method uses an Improved GA operator, that is, crossover, mutation, and selection. The handling of the encoding technique and constraint conditions is designed so that the GA reflects the peculiar characteristics of the BWR. In addition, some strategies such as elitism and self-reproduction are effectively used to improve the search speed. LP evaluations were performed with a three-dimensional diffusion code that coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulic models. Strong axial heterogeneities and three-dimensional-dependent constraints have always necessitated the use of three-dimensional core simulators for BWRs, so that an optimization method is required for computational efficiency. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated by successfully generating LPs for an actual BWR plant applying the Haling technique. In test calculations, candidates that shuffled fresh and burned fuel assemblies within a reasonable computation time were obtained.

• OSTI ID: 20837772
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 143; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ALGORITHMS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
EFFICIENCY
EVALUATION
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
OPTIMIZATION
SIMULATORS
THERMAL HYDRAULICS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS