DESIGN METHOD FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL MANAGEMENT

In the design method for nuclear reactor fuel management, nuclear reactor operation for sets of independent control variable values is simulated to produce associated sets of dependent performance variable values. Transfer functions are generated based on the sets of independent control variable values and the sets of dependent performance variable values. The transfer functions represent relationships between the independent control variables and the dependent performance variables. Additional sets of dependent performance variable values are then generated for additional sets of independent control variable values using the generated transfer functions. A set of independent control variable values for possible use in operating a nuclear reactor is then determined based on the sets of dependent performance variable values and the additional sets of dependent performance variable values.