A Study on the Method of Combining Empirical Data and Deterministic Model for Fuel Failure Prediction

Abstract

Difficulties are encountered when the behavior of complex systems (i.e., fuel failure probability) that have unreliable deterministic models is predicted. For more realistic prediction of the behavior of complex systems with limited observational data, the present study was undertaken to devise an approach of combining predictions from the deterministic model and actual observational data. Predictions by this method of combining are inferred to be of higher reliability than separate predictions made by either model taken independently. A systematic method of hierarchical pattern discovery based on the method developed in the SPEAR was used for systematic search of weighting factors and pattern boundaries for the present method. A sample calculation was performed for prediction of CANDU fuel failures that had occurred due to power ramp during refuelling process. It was demonstrated by this sample calculation that there exists a region of feature space in which fuel failure probability from the PROFIT model nearly agree with that from observational data.