Sensor placement in nuclear reactors based on the generalized empirical interpolation method

Highlights: • An application of GEIM to optimize sensor locations in nuclear reactors taking into account restrictions on the location of the sensors. • Rapid reconstruction of fast flux and nuclear power using a reduced basis and thermal flux measurements. • A physically coherent sensor placement with the structure of the neutronic flux in the reactor core. In this paper, we apply the so-called generalized empirical interpolation method (GEIM) to address the problem of sensor placement in nuclear reactors. This task is challenging due to the accumulation of a number of difficulties like the complexity of the underlying physics and the constraints in the admissible sensor locations and their number. As a result, the placement, still today, strongly relies on the know-how and experience of engineers from different areas of expertise. The present methodology contributes to making this process become more systematic and, in turn, simplify and accelerate the procedure.