The use of genetic algorithms as a tool to improve nuclear reactor core des
ign optimization is proposed. A method based on genetic algorithms are deve
loped to solve optimization problems that involve cell parameters adjustmen
t. In this paper we address a global optimization approach to nuclear react
or core design problems. In previous work, a great variety of local optimiz
ation method have been applied in such a kind of problems. In order to illu
strate the performance, we apply the method based on genetic algorithms to
two traditional test problems that have been considered in literature. Thes
e test problems describe the principal framework of the approach proposed,
because they have known optimal solutions. Due to the global exploitation c
apacity and independence of prior knowledge of the search space characteris
tics proportioned by the genetic algorithms the application scope was exten
ded. The method was applied to optimize a more complex problem, to which tr
aditional methods do not apply. The goal of this third problem is to minimi
ze the average peak factor in a three enrichment zone reactor by the adjust
of the fuel radii, cladding thickness, equivalent radii, the three zone en
richments, fuel material and cladding material. In this case a qualitative
analysis of the results is made. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights
reserved.