System analysis methodology for decision making in the design problems of new generation nuclear reactors

Abstract

The main goal of the article is to summarize the results of many years of work on the creation of a unified methodology for designing new generation nuclear reactors that meet the requirements for generating electricity on a given scale, economic efficiency, inherent safety, and fuel supply. The methodology is based on the methods of systems analysis and operations research. Accidents with unacceptable releases of radioactive substances outside the NPP in new generation reactors can be eliminated by using core materials with specified (obtained within the same methodology) properties. The research methods are based on solving mathematical programming problems in different formulations, solving a number of multicriteria problems, using the non-formalized theory of conflict and informal procedures. As a result of the research, decision-making algorithms have been proposed; software has been developed and modernized to solve the problem of designing nuclear reactors. The practical significance of research in substantiating the fundamental possibility of creating safe nuclear power based on high-power reactors with lead cooling, cermet fuel and innovative structural materials.