Patent ID: 7620139
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: G21C,G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of improving nuclear reactor performance, comprising: implementing a control rod operational plan for the nuclear reactor, the control rod operational plan including a degree of partial insertion for a control rod in the nuclear reactor before a scram of the nuclear reactor, the control rod operational plan simulated in the nuclear reactor, the simulating including a scram during at least a portion of an operating cycle of the nuclear reactor including an end of an operating cycle, and the control rod operational plan decreasing an operating limit minimum core power ratio in the simulation for the scram during at least the portion of the operating cycle for the nuclear reactor including the end of cycle, compared to simulation results of the simulation of the nuclear reactor including a scram during at least a portion of an operating cycle of the nuclear reactor including an end of an operating cycle involving no insertion of the control rod in the nuclear reactor before a scram of the nuclear reactor.