Multi-objective Optimisation in Nuclear Core Management

by Dr Arnau Albà (AXPO AG)

Thursday 6 Feb 2025, 13:30 → 14:30 Europe/Zurich

OHSA/B17

Abstract:

Nuclear core design involves selecting optimal operational parameters and fuel loading to maximise energy production while satisfying safety margins. High-quality reliable core design is crucial to make nuclear energy safe and cost competitive. Traditionally, this process relies on expert judgment and trial-and-error methods, leading to lengthy iterative processes and repeated expensive computations. In this talk, I will explain the processes of nuclear core design and fuel design from a mathematical perspective, framing them as a multi-objective constrained optimisation problem. I will discuss how modern algorithms, surrogate modelling, and other techniques could be employed to accelerate optimisation problems in the nuclear industry.