Method and arrangement for developing core loading patterns in nuclear reactors

US7231333B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC · US

Inventors

• William Earl Russell, II · Tunnel Hill, US
• David Joseph Kropaczek · Wilmington, US
• Steven Barry Sutton · Wilmington, US
• William Charles Cline · Wilmington, US
• Christian Carlos Oyarzun · Wilmington, US
• Glen Alan Watford · Wilmington, US
• Carey Merritt · Wilmington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 12, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E30/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In the method, a set of limits applicable to a core may be defined, and a test core loading pattern design, to be used for loading the core, may be determined based on the limits. Reactor operation on at least a subset of the core may be simulated to produce a plurality of simulated results. The simulated results may be compared against the limits, and data from the comparison may indicate whether any of the limits were violated by the core during the simulation. A designer or engineer may use the data to modify the test core loading pattern, creating one or more derivative core loading pattern design(s) for simulation and eventual perfection as an acceptable core loading pattern design for the core.