Optimisation of nuclear reactor primary coolant design and maintenance parameters

Abstract

An optimisation methodology is presented using the primary coolant circulation system of a nuclear reactor as its case study, the purpose of which is to find combinations of selected design and maintenance parameters to maximise the reactor safety and minimise monetary expenditure. The parameter space was sampled by a Monte Carlo method and Petri net modelling was used to predict the performance of each of these options. The optimal solutions were then extracted from the data via computation of the Pareto front, with further analysis conducted on parameter sets of interest.

Preface to the special issue on degradation and maintenance, modelling and analysis

“…3. The paper from Wootton et al 9 combine Petri nets models into an optimisation process and it is applied to a nuclear reactor. Maintenance parameters were sampled in an even and unbiased way using the Monte Carlo method.…”

“…Calendar aging mainly depends on temperature and state of charge. Emphasis is put on the capacity degradation by using a longitudinal approach with the consideration of sparse data. The paper from Wootton et al 9 combine Petri nets models into an optimisation process and it is applied to a nuclear reactor. Maintenance parameters were sampled in an even and unbiased way using the Monte Carlo method.…”