Optimization of the configuration of a fuel charge in a water-moderated - water-cooled power reactor

The optimization of the configuration of a particular fuel assembly batch in a reactor core infers that some functional is kept to a minimum. In this paper, with the aim of reducing the calculation time spent on superfluous configurations, the authors construct a computer model whose basis is the prior pinpointing of the minimum by means of an analytical study of the characteristics of the functional to be optimized and the multitude of fuel assembly configurations. Their model makes use of one-group theory and multiplication factors and is designed for water cooled and moderated reactors with boron absorbers