A computer program based on the simple tabu search has been developed
to search for pressurized water reactor loading patterns (LPs). The ta
bu search is a heuristic procedure for solving optimization problems.
To save computer rime, a design target was defined, which is the value
of the nuclear enthalpy rise hot-channel factor F-Delta H at each fie
ld assembly (FA) position for zero xenon concentration and zero exposu
re condition. When the values of F-Delta H of a trial LP satisfy the d
esign target, this LP may meet the design limit at each exposure check
point for all rods-out and D-bank half-inserted conditions, which is t
he design requirement. The objective function was defined to search fo
r an LP whose F-Delta H is Smaller than the design target, i.e., a fea
sible LP. An initial LP is properly generated by using the heuristic r
ules. Then the LP is rearranged by exchanging FAs or rotating the FA,
which is carried out by employing the simple tabu search. The heuristi
c rules were incorporated into the tabu search to generate the candida
te moves so that the search was efficient. The program was demonstrate
d by successfully generating LPs for the Maanshan nuclear power plant
in Taiwan.