Patent ID: 7222061
Filing Date: 2007-05-22
Classification: G21C,G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of developing a rod pattern design for a nuclear reactor, the rod pattern design representing a control mechanism for operating the reactor, comprising the steps of: defining a set of limits applicable to a test rod pattern design, wherein a rod pattern design is one of a design for notch positions and sequences of control blades in a boiling water reactor core and a design of group sequences for control rods in a pressurized water reactor core; establishing, based on the limits, a sequence strategy for positioning one or more subsets of the test rod pattern design; simulating reactor operation on at least a subset of the test rod pattern design to produce a plurality of simulated results; comparing the simulated results against the limits; and providing data indicative of limits that were violated by the test rod pattern design during the simulation.