Reloading nuclear reactor fuel using mixed-integer nonlinear optimization

A nodal nuclear reactor reload pattern optimization model is solved using mixed-integer nonlinear optimization techniques. Unlike currently used heuristic search methods, this method enables continuous optimization of the amount of Burnable Poisons in fresh fuel bundles in a natural way, which is shown in the first part of the article. The second part treats an algorithmic extension using dedicated cuts in a mixed-integer nonlinear optimization algorithm, which push the optimization towards solutions where local power peaks in parts of the core are avoided.