Maria Nikolova Avramova, Thesis Supervisor Maria Nikolova Avramova, Thesis Supervisor Arthur Thompson Motta, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
nuclear engineering AP1000 core design
Abstract:
The goal of this project was to optimize the core design of Westinghouse’s AP1000 core design. This was done using Westinghouse’s Advanced Nodal Expansion Code (ANC). Cycle lengths of 12, 18, and 24 months, and power levels of 3400, 4000, 5000, and 6000 MWt were chosen for the study. Also, a maximum peaking factor of 1.6 was set for the study. Different combinations of cycle length and power level were analyzed until an acceptable fuel loading pattern was determined, or the possibility of attaining one was ruled out. Successful loading patterns were developed for all three cycle lengths at the 3400 MWt power level, for the 12 and 18 month cycle length requirement for the 4000 and 5000 MWt power levels, and only for the 12 month cycle for the 6000 MWt power level. Constraints on fuel enrichment prevented the loading patterns from being developed any further.
