Hierarchical Shape Optimization of Nuclear Fuel Assemblies Using Multi-Level Pin to Assembly Analysis in MOOSE

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We apply the MOOSE framework's optimization module to Hierarchical Shape Optimization for a PWR fuel assembly design, adaptively optimizing the fuel pin's shape. Accounting for changes in neutronics behavior is captured with cross section generation in Serpent while changes in heat transfer is considered by dynamically updating convective heat transfer coefficients during the optimization process. We employ the derivative-free Nelder-Mead algorithm to optimize the fuel pin geometry, demonstrating notable improvements in performance metrics. The hierarchical approach avoids local minima by gradually increasing geometric complexity, achieving a final keff improvement of 1390 pcm over the non-hierarchical baseline.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the TopFuel 2025
Subtitle of host publicationNuclear Reactor Fuel Performance Conference
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages1228-1237
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780894482281
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Externally publishedYes
EventTopFuel 2025: Nuclear Reactor Fuel Performance Conference - Nashville, United States
Duration: Oct 5 2025Oct 9 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings of the TopFuel 2025: Nuclear Reactor Fuel Performance Conference

Conference

ConferenceTopFuel 2025: Nuclear Reactor Fuel Performance Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNashville
Period10/5/2510/9/25

Funding

This research used funding received from the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy's Nuclear Energy University Program under grant project number 22-26770.

Keywords

  • Hierarchical
  • MOOSE
  • Optimization

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