6 research outputs found
Electrical Performance of CuInSe2 Solar Panels Using Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm
Electricity is an essential factor of economic development for all the countries. In recent years the share of renewable energy in electricity production is growing significantly all over the world. Among these solar energy plays a vital role in the production of power. In this work an Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique is proposed which successfully tracks the global peak and thereby improving the performance of PV array. The suggested work is realized in MATLAB/Simulink and simulation results of ACO
Design of MICADO advanced passive and active neutron measurement system for radioactive waste drums
International audienceIn the frame of the MICADO H2020 project, a passive and active neutron measurement system is being developed to estimate the nuclear material mass inside legacy waste drums of low and intermediate radioactivity levels. Monte-Carlo simulations have been performed to design a new modularand transportable neutron system, with the main objective to reach a good tradeoff between the performances in passive mode, i.e. neutron coincidence counting, and in active interrogation mode with the Differential Die-away Technique. Different designs are compared, which mainly differ in their moderation materials, graphite and polyethylene. This parametric study allowed us to define a prototype taking into account practical constraints in view of its final implementation in a wide range of in-situ locations and nuclear facilities. The total neutron detection efficiency of the prototype is 6.75%, as calculated for an empty drum, i.e. without waste matrix. The detection limit in terms of nuclear material equivalent mass have also been estimated based on assumptions for a homogeneous distribution of nuclear materials inside the drum, filled with four types of matrices covering the range of nuclear waste drums defined in the frame of the project. The most favorable matrix is made of stainless steel in passive mode and of polyethylene in active mode, with an apparent density of 0.7 g.cm and 0.1 g.cm respectively. The calculated mass detection limits are respectively 68 mg of Pu, 62 mg of U and 39 mg of Pu. The most penalizing matrix is made of polyethylene with an apparent density of 0.7 g.cm , which leads to a mass detection limit of 519 mg of Pu in passive mode, and 564 mg of U or 349 mg of Pu in active mode. Measurement time is 30 min for both passive and active modes. Next steps will be a complete investigation of matrix effects based on intensive Monte-Carlo calculations and an experimental design to figure out the appropriate corrections. Experiments will also be conducted at CEA Cadarache Nuclear Measurement Laboratory with the construction and the assembly of the neutron system prototype, and the measurement of mock-up drums filled with different matrice