An Interpretable Dynamic Feature Search Methodology for Accelerating Computational Process of Control Rod Descent in Nuclear Reactors

Abstract

Within the operational dynamics of a nuclear reactor, the customary approach involves modulating the reactor's power output by means of control rod manipulation, which effectively alters the neutron density across the core. The descent behavior of the control rod drive lines pertains to the intricate motion exhibited by the control rod components within the reactor during its operational lifespan, characterized by conditions of heightened irradiation, temperature, pressure, and complex fluid dynamics. The precise calculation of the control rod descent process is an integral facet of reactor structural design to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the reactor. However, the current computational fluid dynamics-based simulation methods employed for this purpose necessitate extensive grid computations, imposing significant computational burdens in terms of resources and time. In light of this challenge, we present a novel and interpretative algorithm rooted in dynamic similarity feature search. Through comprehensive validation, this algorithm demonstrates remarkable precision with computational results exhibiting an error margin within 10%, while simultaneously achieving a substantial enhancement in computational efficiency of nearly three orders of magnitude when compared to conventional computational fluid dynamics techniques. Notably, this algorithm showcases exceptional versatility, holding immense promise for broad applicability across various operational scenarios encountered during the intricate process of nuclear reactor design.

Keywords: Nuclear reactor, control rod descent process, computation acceleration, dynamic feature search methodology, CFD