Improved Genetic algorithm for fuel loading optimization of the DNRR with HEU fuel

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of genetic algorithm (GA) with improved selection techniques, i.e. Tournament and Roulette Wheel, applied to in-core fuel management of the Dalat nuclear research reactor (DNRR). Numerical calculations have been performed based on the DNRR core with 100 HEU fuel bundles. The optimal fitness function was chosen to maximize the keff and minimize the power peaking factor. The statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney test shows that the performance of GA with Tournament selection is advantageous over the Roulette Wheel selection in the ICFM problem of the DNRR. The optimal core configurations obtained with the improved GA methods have the keff values greater by about 500 pcm, and the PPF lower by about 4.0% compared to the reference core.