Regular Article

Evaluation of relevant information for optimal reflector modeling through data assimilation procedures

EDF Recherche et développement, 1 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 92141 Clamart cedex, France

^* e-mail: jean-philippe.argaud@edf.fr

Received: 6 May 2015
Received in final form: 28 July 2015
Accepted: 6 November 2015
Published online: 16 December 2015

Abstract

The goal of this study is to look after the amount of information that is mandatory to get a relevant parameters optimisation by data assimilation for physical models in neutronic diffusion calculations, and to determine what is the best information to reach the optimum of accuracy at the cheapest cost. To evaluate the quality of the optimisation, we study the covariance matrix that represents the accuracy of the optimised parameter. This matrix is a classical output of the data assimilation procedure, and it is the main information about accuracy and sensitivity of the parameter optimal determination. From these studies, we present some results collected from the neutronic simulation of nuclear power plants. On the basis of the configuration studies, it has been shown that with data assimilation we can determine a global strategy to optimise the quality of the result with respect to the amount of information provided. The consequence of this is a cost reduction in terms of measurement and/or computing time with respect to the basic approach.