An intelligent stochastic optimization routine for nuclear fuel cycle design

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Nuclear Technology; (USA)

OSTI ID:6665340

Parks, G T ^[1]

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1. Cambridge Univ. (UK). Dept. of Engineering

A simulated annealing (Metropolis algorithm) optimization routine named AMETROP, which has been developed for use on realistic nuclear fuel cycle problems, is introduced. Each stage of the algorithm is described and the means by which it overcomes or avoids the difficulties posed to conventional optimization routines by such problems are explained. Special attention is given to innovations that enhance AMETROP's performance both through artificial intelligence features, in which the routine uses the accumulation of data to influence its future actions, and through a family of simple performance aids, which allow the designer to use his heuristic knowledge to guide the routine's essentially random search. Using examples from a typical fuel cycle optimization problem, the performance of the stochastic Metropolis algorithm is compared to that of the only suitable deterministic routine in a standard software library, showing AMETROP to have many advantages.

• OSTI ID: 6665340
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology; (USA), Vol. 89:2; ISSN 0029-5450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
FUEL CYCLE
DESIGN
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
A CODES
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COMPUTER CODES
OPTIMIZATION
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems
220300 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Fuel Elements