Reactor Core Power Distribution Synthesis Using Ordinary Kriging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for synthesizing reactor core power distribution using ex-core neutron flux detectors result in excessively conservative reflections, leading to restricted nuclear reactor operations despite sufficient operational margins.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an ordinary kriging method to calculate power of all fuel assemblies with in-core instruments and synthesize hot-pin power distribution through artificial neural network synthesis and 1-pin correlation factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ex-core neutron flux detectors are used to monitor axial power distribution, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to the conservative reflection of radial peak coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces in-core instruments as intermediary measurement devices positioned within the reactor core to directly measure neutron flux at multiple locations. These in-core instruments serve as mediators between the core power distribution and the monitoring system, providing more accurate and representative data compared to ex-core detectors, thereby resolving the contradiction between real-time monitoring capability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional ex-core neutron flux detection system with an in-core instrument-based measurement system. This substitution involves installing instruments directly within the core structure to measure neutron flux at multiple positions, thereby obtaining more accurate power distribution data while maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If radial peak coefficient is applied to synthesize hot-pin power distribution, then power distribution calculation is improved, but operation margin is reduced due to excessively conservative reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using in-core instrument measurements to continuously monitor and verify the actual power distribution. The measured data is fed back to the synthesis system, allowing for real-time correction and optimization of the hot-pin power distribution calculation, thereby achieving both high accuracy and sufficient operation margin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used in power distribution synthesis by replacing the conservative radial peak coefficient with in-core instrument measurements. This parameter change involves using actual measured neutron flux values from multiple in-core positions to calculate a more accurate and less conservative hot-pin power distribution, thereby resolving the contradiction between calculation accuracy and operation margin.
3Measurement precision
If in-core instruments are installed to measure neutron flux directly, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reactor core into multiple measurement zones with in-core instruments positioned at specific locations. Each instrument measures neutron flux in its local region, and the results are synthesized to obtain the overall power distribution. This segmented approach improves measurement precision while managing system complexity through modular instrumentation placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of synthesizing reactor core power distribution is disclosed. According to the method, the power of all fuel assemblies in a reactor core is calculated from powers of fuel assemblies in which in-core instruments are located using the ordinary kriging methodology. Also, a hot-pin power distribution of each fuel assembly is synthesized from the power of all fuel assemblies calculated, whereby more accurate hot-pin axial power distribution, rather than pseudo hot-pin axial power distribution, may be synthesized.