Application of an Artificial Neural Network in Reactor Thermohydraulic Problem: Prediction of Critical Heat Flux

A new method for predicting Critical Heat Flux (CHF) with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method is presented in this paper. The ANNs were trained based on three conditions: type I (inlet or upstream conditions), II (local or CHF point conditions) and III (outlet or downstream conditions). The best condition for predicting CHF is type II, providing an accuracy of ±10%. The effects of main parameters such as pressure, mass flow rate, equilibrium quality and inlet subcooling on CHF were analyzed using the ANN. Critical heat flux under oscillation flow conditions was also predicted.