Automated Nuclear Reactor Core Loading Pattern Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing nuclear reactor loading plans are manual and time-consuming, requiring significant human effort to ensure safety and operational constraints are met.
Innovation Solution
An IT-assisted process that automatically determines an optimal loading plan for a nuclear reactor by testing positions of nuclear combustible assemblies based on safety criteria and operational constraints, using digital simulation and permutations to identify the best configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to design loading plans, then safety and operational constraints can be carefully considered, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant human effort
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system automatically performs the loading plan design process by executing algorithms that test assembly positions and evaluate criteria, making the system serve itself without requiring manual intervention for each planning decision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical problem-solving with automated computer-based algorithms that systematically test positions and evaluate safety criteria, substituting human cognitive processes with computational mechanisms
2Productivity
If automated methods are used to design loading plans, then time required is significantly reduced, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex loading plan design into discrete manageable steps: identifying symmetrical position groups, counting positions in each group, and systematically testing permutations within these segmented categories
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by varying key parameters such as position permutations and assembly configurations within defined constraints, allowing automated exploration of solutions through parameter manipulation rather than brute-force computation
3Manufacturing precision
If manual methods are used, then human expertise can be applied to optimize the loading plan, but the process lacks systematic thoroughness
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system continuously evaluates each tested loading plan against predetermined safety criteria and operational constraints, providing feedback that guides the optimization process and ensures systematic thoroughness in meeting all requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying symmetrical position groups and pre-calculating permutation combinations before actual optimization testing, establishing a structured framework that ensures comprehensive coverage of possible configurations
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-assisted method for determining an optimal core-loading pattern for a nuclear reactor core. Respective positions of nuclear fuel assemblies are tested by these means in order to assign optimal positions to the assemblies and proceed with loading the reactor. The reactor core comprises cells positioned symmetrically relative to axes of symmetry, with standard assemblies being intended to be inserted into respective cells. These standard assemblies for future loading are distributed according to the number of production cycles that they have previously undergone. Additionally, groups of cell positions that are symmetric relative to the axes of symmetry are identified, and the number of symmetric positions in each group is counted. Families of standard assemblies are formed, such that the standard assemblies of the same family have at least similar burnups. Each family comprises a number of standard assemblies that corresponds to the number of positions of one of the groups. Numerical simulation is used to test the loading pattern formed by the standard assemblies in initial positions and then the positions of standard assemblies are switched while maintaining the previously formed families of assemblies. Numerical simulation is used to test the loading pattern formed by the standard assemblies in the switched positions relative to a predetermined criterion, this step being repeated until at least one candidate pattern for loading the reactor is obtained.