Application of Depletion Perturbation Theory to Fuel Loading Optimization

Abstract

A fuel loading optimization method has been developed. The sensitivities of various performance parameters to loading pattern changes are calculated with depletion perturbation theory. With these sensitivities, the optimization problem is formulated by linear programming. This method has been applied to two test problems, and an improvement in the cycle burnup and the power peaking has been achieved. The accuracy of the present method has been checked by comparing the results with those obtained from direct burnup calculations.