Integrating core physics and machine learning for improved parameter prediction in boiling water reactor operations

• Published in: Scientific reports 2024-03, Vol.14 (1), p.5835-5835, Article 5835
• Main Authors: Oktavian, M. R., Nistor, J., Gruenwald, J. T., Xu, Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 639/166; 639/166/4073/4100; 639/4077/4091; 639/4077/4091/4093; 639/766/387; Boiling; Boiling water reactors; Eigenvalues; Flow rates; Humanities and Social Sciences; Learning algorithms; Machine learning; multidisciplinary; Neural network; Neural networks; Neutron diffusion; Nuclear reactor; Nuclear reactors; Physics; Predictions; Reactors; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Simulation
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56388-5

This study introduces a novel method for enhancing Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) operation simulations by integrating machine learning (ML) models with conventional simulation techniques. The ML model is trained to identify and correct errors in low-fidelity simulation outputs, traditionally derived from core physics computations. These corrections aim to align the low-fidelity results closely with high-fidelity data. Precise predictions of nuclear reactor parameters like core eigenvalue and power distribution are crucial for efficient fuel management and adherence to technical specifications. Current high-fidelity transport calculations, while accurate, are impractical for real-time predictions due to extensive computational demands. Our approach, therefore, utilizes the standard two-step simulation process-assembly-level lattice physics calculations followed by whole-core nodal diffusion computations-to generate initial results, which are then refined using the ML-based error correction model. The methodology focuses on improving simulation accuracy in regular BWR operations rather than developing a universal ML predictor for reactor physics. By training an advanced neural network model on the difference in high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulations, the model can reduce the nodal power error from low-fidelity simulations to around 1% on average and the core eigenvalue down to under 100 pcm. This result is under the condition of the normal variations of control rod pattern and core flow rate changes in standard BWR operations used in the training and evaluation of the machine learning model. This work suggests a promising approach for achieving more accurate, computationally feasible simulation solutions in nuclear reactor operation and management.