https://doi.org/10.1051/epjn/2025049
Regular Article
Advanced reactor models for plutonium multirecycling scenario studies using artificial neural networks
1
IJCLab, IN2P3-CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91406 Orsay Cedex, France
2
Subatech, IMTA-IN2P3/CNRS-Université de Nantes, F-44307 Nantes, France
3
LPSC, IN2P3-CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38026 Grenoble Cedex, France
4
CEA/DES/IRESNE/DER/SPRC/LE2C Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
5
CEA/DES/IRESNE/DER/SPRC/LEPH Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France
* e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received:
28
May
2025
Received in final form:
15
July
2025
Accepted:
4
August
2025
Published online: 12 September 2025
Abstract
This paper presents an innovative way to identify the plutonium content in MOX fresh fuel according to its isotopic composition in fuel cycle dynamic simulations. In those calculations, the fuel fabrication is a challenge to model as the plutonium stock status (quantity and quality) is unknown and the fuels that are loaded in reactors should ensure criticality throughout the wanted cycle length. This model is based on metamodeling full core depletion simulation of PWRs with artificial neural networks to predict efficiently the cycle length and power factors as a function of the MOX fresh fuel composition. An exploration of the plutonium phase space has shown the impact of plutonium isotopic composition on power factors and fuel cycle length variability. Moreover, the sensitivity of the cycle length to the plutonium content have led us to propose a model that links the plutonium content to its isotopic composition by a constant step function, while accepting an uncertainty of the order of 1 GWd/t on the cycle length. The impact of this new model on PWR loaded with plutonium recovered by UOX and MOX spent fuel reprocessing is assessed in this paper. Pu content estimator based on this new approach leads to standard deviation of the cycle length discrepancies distribution lower than 150 MWd/t for a Pu fissile quality range size of 4%.
© S. Eveillard et al., Published by EDP Sciences, 2025
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
