Optimization of the physical characteristics and the regime of uniform partial refuelings of a fast nuclear reactor. Physics of Atomic Nuclei Volume 76, Issue 14, December 2013, Pages 1652-1657

This paper covers some specific features of the optimization problem with integer-valued and continuously changing parameters that has been formulated for a fast reactor operating under the steady-state regime of the uniform partial refueling. Effective algorithms for calculating the physical characteristics and an iterative procedure of constructing optimum values of parameters are proposed. The paper considers the solution of a problem on minimization of the loss of energy generation in a reactor of the BREST-800 type that occurs because average fuel burnup in fuel assemblies being removed does not achieve its maximum permissible level. For several core arrangements, the comparison with nonoptimum solutions is given and the role of various factors contributing to an increase in average fuel burnup is evaluated.
Author keywords
average isotopic concentrations; equalization of heat release distribution; fast reactor; frequency of refueling; mathematical model; optimization problem; uniform partial refueling