Optimal space-time fuel distribution for the LWR

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6105739

Hwang, H R

Numerical solutions to the space-time minimum fuel-loading-problem for the LWR are developed using a one-dimensional variational nodal method to describe a cylindrical core. The system equations and constraints are discretized and the resulting optimization problem is solved using the successive linear-programming method. The minimum-fuel-loading problem is also solved analytically for a homogeneous medium using the Maximum Principle of Pontryagin. The optimum numerical power shapes agree with the optimum analytic solution to the one-dimensional homogeneous core problem for only a limited set of constraining conditions. In general, reducing the maximum power peaking or the number of fuel regions in the numerical problem changes the optimum power shape from the center-peaked, predicted analytically, to an outer-peaked, inner depressed power shape. The time-dependent problem is addressed using the same core model and optimization algorithm with the objective of minimum fuel poison control. The core is depleted from the optimum final state to an initial state determined by the maximum permissible control. The numerical solutions are used to formulate a consistent theory of LWR fuel management for minimum core-fuel loading.

• Research Organization: Purdue Univ., Lafayette, IN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6105739
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR FUELING
PWR TYPE REACTORS
OPTIMIZATION
ALGORITHMS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
FUEL MANAGEMENT
SPACE-TIME
TIME DEPENDENCE
VARIATIONAL METHODS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
210200* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
210100 - Power Reactors
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Boiling Water Cooled