Basic investigations related to genetic algorithms in core designs

Citation
Cmdn. Pereira et al., Basic investigations related to genetic algorithms in core designs, ANN NUC ENG, 26(3), 1999, pp. 173-193
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Nuclear Emgineering
Journal title
ANNALS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
ISSN journal
03064549 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
173 - 193
Database
ISI
SICI code
0306-4549(199902)26:3<173:BIRTGA>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
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.