US 7,280,946 B2 · Method and arrangement for determining pin enrichments in fuel bundle of nuclear reactor

Abstract

A method and arrangement of determining pin enrichments for a fuel bundle of a nuclear reactor, where a plurality of input parameters and target conditions may be input and enrichment changes, to be made across the fuel bundle, may be calculated using response matrix technology. Fuel bundle pin enrichment data may be output that satisfies the target conditions. The method and arrangement may enable production of fuel bundles having a desired local peaking, exposure peaking and R-factor performance. Consequently, given fuel cycles typically may be loaded and operated such that less fuel may be needed for identical cycle lengths, potentially resulting in improved fuel cycle economics. Additionally, because fuel bundle development may require fewer iterations, there may be a substantial cycle time reduction in the bundle design process, potentially reducing cost and enhancing profitability.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method of determining pin enrichments for a fuel bundle of a nuclear reactor, comprising:

inputting a plurality of input parameters pertaining to a fuel bundle;
inputting a plurality of target conditions including each of a target local peaking value, a target exposure peaking value, a target bundle R-factor and a target lattice average enrichment for the fuel bundle;
calculating enrichment changes to be made across the fuel bundle, using at least one computer executing response matrix technology so as to satisfy the target conditions;
and
outputting fuel bundle pin enrichment data that satisfies the target conditions.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and arrangement for determining pin enrichments in fuel bundle of nuclear reactor

Life of this patent

Method and arrangement for determining pin enrichments in fuel bundle of nuclear reactor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25