A methodology for determining the dynamic exchange of resources in nuclear fuel cycle simulation
Authored by Matthew J Gidden, Paul P H Wilson
Date Published: 2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2016.10.029
Sponsors:
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Platforms:
C++
CYCLUS
Model Documentation:
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Abstract
Simulation of the nuclear fuel cycle can be performed using a wide range
of techniques and methodologies. Past efforts have focused on specific
fuel cycles or reactor technologies. The CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator
seeks to separate the design of the simulation from the fuel cycle or
technologies of interest. In order to support this separation, a robust
supply demand communication and solution framework is required.
Accordingly an agent-based supply-chain framework, the Dynamic Resource
Exchange (DRE), has been designed implemented in CYCLUS. It supports the
communication of complex resources, namely isotopic compositions of
nuclear fuel, between fuel cycle facilities and their managers (e.g., institutions and regions). Instances of supply and demand are defined as
an optimization problem and solved for each timestep. Importantly, the
DRE allows each agent in the simulation to independently indicate
preference for specific trading options in order to meet both physics
requirements and satisfy constraints imposed by potential
socio-political models. To display the variety of possible simulations
that the DRE enables, example scenarios are formulated and described.
Important features include key fuel-cycle facility outages, introduction
of external recycled fuel sources (similar to the current mixed oxide
(MOX) fuel fabrication facility in the United States), and nontrivial
interactions between fuel cycles existing in different regions. (C) 2016
Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
systems
Framework
Supply chain simulation