Fractional-order modeling of neutron transport in a nuclear reactor

This paper deals with fractional-order (FO) modeling of the neutron transport process inside the core of a nuclear reactor. Conventional integer-order diffusion model of neutron transport has serious shortcomings. Firstly, due to its parabolic nature, it predicts infinite neutron speed, which is very unphysical. Secondly, it has a very limited spatial applicability as it is not applicable everywhere (especially near the strong absorbing regions) in heterogeneous reactor core.     

Solution of a new model of fractional telegraph point reactor kinetics using differential transformation method

A new model of fractional telegraph point reactor kinetics FTPRK is introduced to approximate the time dependent Boltzmann transport equation considering new terms that contain time derivative of the reactivity and fractional integral of the neutron density. Caputo fractional derivatives and fractional Leibniz rule are used for such derivation. Cattaneoequation is applied to overcome the flaw of infinite neutron velocity and to describe the anomalous transport. Effect of the new term on the neutron behaviour is discussed. The new model is applied to both TRIGA reactor and to commercial pressured water reactor of a Three Mile Island type reactor, TMI-type PWR. Results for step, ramp and sinusoidal excess reactivities with thermal hydraulic feedback are presented and discussed for different values of anomalous sub-diffusion exponent, the fractional order, 0 < µ ≤ 1. To maintain the reactor safe at start-up after insertion of step reactivity and based on the concept of prompt jump approximation, the FTPRK model is simplified and solved analytically by Mittag–Liffler function. Physical interpretations of the fractional order µ and relaxation time τ and their effects on the behaviour of the neutron population are discussed. Also, the effect of a small perturbation in the geometric buckling on the neutron behaviour is discussed for finite reactor core. The new model is solved numerically using the fractional order multi-step differential transform method MDTM. The MDTM constitutes an easy algorithm based on Taylor's formula and Caputo fractional derivative. Two theorems with their proofs are introduced to solve the fractional system. Two major disadvantages of the method about the choice of the fractional order values and the step size length are addressed. We present a procedure which enables us to solve the system with appropriate values of fraction orders.     

Efficient stochastic model for the point kinetics equations

A new stochastic model for the point kinetics equations with I-delayed neutron precursor groups is presented. In this stochastic model, the point kinetics equations are separated into three terms: prompt neutrons, delayed neutrons and external neutrons source. The matrix form of the efficient stochastic model is solved by a semi-analytical method. The semi-analytical method is based on the exponential function of the coefficient matrix. The eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix and Gaussian elimination are used to calculate this exponential function. The mean and standard deviation of neutron and precursor populations of the efficient stochastic model with step, ramp, and sinusoidal reactivities are computed. The results of the efficient stochastic model are compared with the results of Allen's stochastic model for the point kinetics equations. This comparison confirms that the efficient stochastic model is an accurate model compared with the deterministic point kinetics equations. This stochastic model is efficient to study the natural behavior of neutron and precursor populations in the nuclear reactor dynamics.     

Stochastic model for the nonlinear point reactor kinetics equations in the presence Newtonian temperature feedback effects

A stochastic model for the nonlinear point reactor kinetics equations with Newtonian temperature feedback and multi-group of precursor delayed neutrons is presented. This model is a couple of the stiff stochastic nonlinear differential equations. The matrix formula of this stochastic nonlinear model is solved by the analytical exponential technique (AET). This proposed technique is based on the integration factor, Euler’s method and the exponential function of the coefficient matrix. This exponential function is determined via the eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of the coefficient matrix. The mean neutron population of the stochastic nonlinear model in the presence Newtonian temperature feedback and six-groups of delayed neutrons is computed for various cases of the external reactivity. The numerical results of the analytical exponential technique are compared with the results of the Euler–Maruyama method and the deterministic results. This comparison confirms that the AET for stochastic nonlinear model is efficient to study the natural behavior of neutron population in the presence temperature feedback effects and multi-group of precursor delayed neutrons.     

On the stability of fractional neutron point kinetics (FNPK)

The aim of this work is investigate the stability of fractional neutron point kinetics (FNPK). The method applied in this work considers the stability of FNPK as a linear fractional differential equation by transforming the s − plane to the W − plane. The FNPK equations is an approximation of the dynamics of the reactor that includes three new terms related to fractional derivatives, which are explored in this work with an aim to understand their effect in the system stability. Theoretical study of reactor dynamical systems plays a significant role in understanding the behavior of neutron density, which is important in the analysis of reactor safety. The fractional relaxation time (τ^α) for values of fractional-order derivative (α) were analyzed, and the minimum absolute phase was obtained in order to establish the stability of the system. The results show that nuclear reactor stability with FNPK is a function of the fractional relaxation time.     

The design and performance analysis of multivariate fractional-order gradient-based extremum seeking approach

In this paper, a novel multivariate fractional-order (FO) Gradient-based extremum seeking control (Gradient-based ESC) approach is developed for the optimization of multivariable dynamical systems. The proposed Gradient-based ESC, utilizing FO operators, is presented to not only speed up the convergence rate and enhance the control accuracy but also improve the search efficiency of the extrema by regulating the fractional-order. For multivariable dynamical systems, the stability analysis of the proposed multivariate FO Gradient-based ESC is presented in details to guarantee the convergence performance of multi-input optimization problems. Simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed approach by comparing with the corresponding integer-order (IO) Gradient-based ESC.     

Abundant bursting patterns of a fractional-order Morris–Lecar neuron model

In this paper, a fractional-order Morris–Lecar (M–L) neuron model with fast-slow variables is firstly proposed. The fractional-order M–L model is a generalization of the integer-order M–L model with fast-slow variables, where the fractional-order derivative is used to characterize the memory effect and power law of membranes. Then the bursting patterns of the new model are investigated by using the bifurcation theory of fast-slow dynamical systems. Numerical simulation shows that the new model exhibits some bursting patterns that appear in some common neuron models with properly chosen parameters but do not exist in the corresponding integer-order M–L model. Further, on the basis of a comparison of the nonlinear dynamics between the fractional-order M–L model and the integer-order M–L model, we show that the fractional-order derivative can activate the slow potassium ion channel faster and play an important role to modulate the firing activity of the new model.     

A reflection on the fractional order nuclear reactor dynamics

Bifurcation and stability analysis in the coupled integer-fractional order dynamic equations of a nuclear reactor is carried out in this work. To this end, the dynamics of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) is taken into account as a mainstay design in the water reactor technology. The effect of fractional derivative order on the stability threshold and the onset of bifurcation phenomena is inspected therein with the temperature feedback coefficient taken as the bifurcation parameter. Overall, the transport of neutrons inside the nuclear reactor core, especially in the high neutron absorbing spaces such as the fuel or control rod, resembles that of a sub-diffusion phenomenon. As such, the pertaining equations which comprise neutron diffusion terms are more carefully treated within a fractional order framework. In this work, a formal approach is examined to help readily compute system poles and the associated stable half plane. Results confirm a sensible tendency towards instability as the value of the fractional order is decreased and a more sub-diffusive regime is established.     

A new 4-D non-equilibrium fractional-order chaotic system and its circuit implementation

A new 4-D fractional-order chaotic system without equilibrium point is proposed in this paper. There is no chaotic behavior for its corresponding integer-order system. By computer simulations, we find complex dynamical behaviors in this system, and obtain that the lowest order for exhibiting a chaotic attractor is 3.2. We also design an electronic circuit to realize this 4-D fractional-order chaotic system and present some experiment results.     

Rules for selecting the parameters of Oustaloup recursive approximation for the simulation of linear feedback systems containing PID controller

Oustaloup recursive approximation (ORA) is widely used to find a rational integer-order approximation for fractional-order integrators and differentiators of the form s^v, v ∈ (−1, 1). In this method the lower bound, the upper bound and the order of approximation should be determined beforehand, which is currently performed by trial and error and may be inefficient in some cases. The aim of this paper is to provide efficient rules for determining the suitable value of these parameters when a fractional-order PID controller is used in a stable linear feedback system. Two numerical examples are also presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed formulas.     

Approximate analytical solution of two-dimensional space-time fractional diffusion equation

This work presents an iterative scheme for the numerical solution of the space-time fractional two-dimensional advection–reaction–diffusion equation applying homotopy perturbation with Laplace transform using Caputo fractional-order derivatives. The solution obtained is beneficial and significant to analyze the modeling of superdiffusive systems and subdiffusive system, anomalous diffusion, transport process in porous media. This iterative technique presents the combination of homotopy perturbation technique, and Laplace transforms with He's polynomials, which can further be applied to numerous linear/nonlinear two-dimensional fractional models to computes the approximate analytical solution. In the present method, the nonlinearity can be tackle by He's polynomials. The salient features of the present scientific work are the pictorial presentations of the approximate numerical solution of the two-dimensional fractional advection–reaction–diffusion equation for different particular cases of fractional order and showcasing of the damping effect of reaction terms on the nature of probability density function of the considered two-dimensional nonlinear mathematical models for various situations.     

Mathematical assessment of a fractional-order vector–host disease model with the Caputo–Fabrizio derivative

Vector–host diseases outbreak is a major public health concern, and it has greatly affected human health and economy in various regions around the globe. Different approaches have been adopted to investigate the dynamical behavior and possible control of these diseases. In this study, we present a compartmental transmission model in order to explore the dynamics of vector–host infectious diseases. The saturated incidence rate instead of bilinear (or standard) and saturated treatment function is considered in model formulation which enhance the biological suitability of the proposed model. We first formulate the model based on nonlinear classical integer-order differential equations. Then, the proposed integer-order model is reformulated using the fractional-order operator in Caputo–Fabrizio sense with nonsingular kernel. We investigate the model equilibria and evaluate the expression for the most important threshold parameter known as the basic reproduction number. Furthermore, the existence and uniqueness are presented via the fixed point approach. Additionally, using an efficient numerical scheme, the iterative solution of the model is obtained. Finally, we present the model simulations to illustrate the impact of arbitrary fractional order and some of other important parameters involved in the model on the disease dynamics and minimization.     

Equilibrium points, stability and numerical solutions of fractional-order predator-prey and rabies models

In this paper we are concerned with the fractional-order predator-prey model and the fractional-order rabies model. Existence and uniqueness of solutions are proved. The stability of equilibrium points are studied. Numerical solutions of these models are given. An example is given where the equilibrium point is a centre for the integer order system but locally asymptotically stable for its fractional-order counterpart.     

Non-existence of periodic solutions in fractional-order dynamical systems and a remarkable difference between integer and fractional-order derivatives of periodic functions

Using the Mellin transform approach, it is shown that, in contrast with integer-order derivatives, the fractional-order derivative of a periodic function cannot be a function with the same period. The three most widely used definitions of fractional-order derivatives are taken into account, namely, the Caputo, Riemann-Liouville and Grunwald-Letnikov definitions. As a consequence, the non-existence of exact periodic solutions in a wide class of fractional-order dynamical systems is obtained. As an application, it is emphasized that the limit cycle observed in numerical simulations of a simple fractional-order neural network cannot be an exact periodic solution of the system.     

Space–time fractional diffusion on bounded domains

Fractional diffusion equations replace the integer-order derivatives in space and time by their fractional-order analogues. They are used in physics to model anomalous diffusion. This paper develops strong solutions of space–time fractional diffusion equations on bounded domains, as well as probabilistic representations of these solutions, which are useful for particle tracking codes.     

Minimizing the natural fuel requirement for nuclear reactor power systems: A nonstandard optimal control problem

A class of model problems in nuclear reactor economics is defined and shown to be equivalent to a linear optimal control problem to which present versions of the maximum principle apparently cannot be applied. It is shown that the search for an optimal control can be restricted tocontrols of maximum fuel utilization (Comfu), and that theComfu's are in a one-to-one correspondence with the functions which satisfy certain inequalities and are solutions of a nonlinear Volterra integral equation containing the value of the cost functional as a parameter. In the general case, one can establish an iterative procedure, involving solution of the integral equation at each iteration, for approximating the optimalComfu. For some important special cases, a point on the solution corresponding to the optimalComfu is knowna priori, and thus the optimalComfu can be obtained by solving the integral equation only once. Some possible generalizations of the original economic model are also discussed.This research was sponsored by the US Atomic Energy Commission under contract with the Union Carbide Corporation.     

A note on the fractional-order Volta’s system

This paper deals with the fractional-order Volta’s system. It is based on the concept of chaotic system, where the mathematical model of system contains fractional order derivatives. This system has simple structure and can display a double-scroll attractor. The behavior and stability analysis of the integer-order and the fractional commensurate and non-commensurate order Volta’s system with total order less than 3 which exhibits chaos are presented as well.     

A new approach for the optimal distribution of assemblies in a nuclear reactor

Summary. The aim of this paper is to propose a new approach for optimizing the position of fuel assemblies in a nuclear reactor core. This is a control problem for the neutronic diffusion equation where the control acts on the coefficients of the equation. The goal is to minimize the power peak (i.e. the neutron flux must be as spatially uniform as possible) and maximize the reactivity (i.e. the efficiency of the reactor measured by the inverse of the first eigenvalue). Although this is truly a discrete optimization problem, our strategy is to embed it in a continuous one which is solved by the homogenization method. Then, the homogenized continuous solution is numerically projected on a discrete admissible distribution of assemblies. Received January 13, 2000 / Published online February 5, 2001