Research on multi-objective optimization of guide vane of reactor coolant pump based on genetic algorithm

This study investigates the impact of guide vane parameters on the performance of a reactor coolant pump (RCP). A mixed-flow RCP was selected for numerical simulation, with head and efficiency under design conditions as the optimization objectives. A genetic algorithm was employed to optimize the guide vane parameters of the RCP. The external characteristics, pressure distribution, and hydraulic loss of both the optimized and original pump models were analyzed. The optimized pump exhibited a 3.44 m increase in head and a 3.38% improvement in efficiency at the design flow rate. The pressure distribution in the optimized RCP model showed a significant reduction in the overall high-pressure area of the flow components at large flow conditions. At the 1.0Qd condition, the pressure distribution in the optimized model was more uniform, indicating more stable internal flow. Hydraulic loss of the guide vane and volute was significantly reduced in the optimized model. The overall performance of the optimized reactor coolant pump model has been improved.