Title: Development of a polynomial model for power prediction of miniature neutron source reactors

Authors: Ahmed R. Abubakar; Hamisu A. Adamu; Asuku Abdulsamad; Yusuf A. Sha'aban

Addresses: Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria ' Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria ' Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria ' Department of Computer Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a second-order polynomial model for the prediction of power of a typical miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR). Using the least-squares method, the model coefficients were generated from thermal power and reactor core coolant temperature as dependent and independent variables, respectively. Operational data were collected at 1-minute intervals, for a total of 100 minutes each for 6.20 kW, 15.50 kW, and 31.0 kW. The mean absolute deviation (MAD) obtained during validation using the developed model (QModel), at 6.2 kW, 12.4 kW, 15.5 kW, 18.6 kW, 24.8 kW and 31 kW were: 0.51, 0.25, 0.38, 0.29, 0.44, and 0.50 respectively while the corresponding results from earlier work were 3.03, 3.36, 3.49, 2.24, 1.24, and 5.71. The QModel gave a better power prediction with an error deviation of less than ±5%.

Keywords: miniature neutron source reactor; MNSR; Nigeria research reactor-1; NIRR-1.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMOR.2022.122807

International Journal of Mathematics in Operational Research, 2022 Vol.21 No.4, pp.554 - 567

Received: 02 Aug 2020
Accepted: 04 Jan 2021
Published online: 12 May 2022 *

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