Optimization of refueling cycle length by an enhanced PSO with novel mutation operator

In this paper, a new method for optimizing the fuel arrangement in a WWER-1000 reactor core during refueling cycle is presented. Finding the best configuration corresponding to the desired pattern, an enhanced PSO with a Novel Mutation operator is applied. WIMS and PARCS (Purdue Advanced Reactor Core Simulator) codes are used to calculate the neutronics cross sections and multiplication factor of core with corresponded power peaking factors (PPFs) during burn up cycles, respectively. Cross sections and burn up during cycle length were calculated by WIMS code, then core parameters were calculated by PARCS and finally hybridization of intelligent PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) method and novel mutation were used to obtain optimal arrangement. The purposed algorithm is based on increasing burn up value and refueling cycle length and by keeping power peaking factor in safe margins. In this way, neutronic parameters of the reactor during operation cycle from BOC (Begin Of Cycle) to EOC (End Of Cycle), were calculated. Implementation of this algorithm has been done in MATLAB. In this case, Bushehr WWER-1000 NPP reactor was studied. The comparison between results and Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) data shows good agreement.