scholarly journals Core Flow Distribution from Coupled Supercritical Water Reactor Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Po Hu ◽  
Paul P. H. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Core Model ◽  
Core Flow ◽  
The Core ◽  
Extended Code ◽  
Reference Design

This paper introduces an extended code package PARCS/RELAP5 to analyze steady state of SCWR US reference design. An 8 × 8 quarter core model in PARCS and a reactor core model in RELAP5 are used to study the core flow distribution under various steady state conditions. The possibility of moderator flow reversal is found in some hot moderator channels. Different moderator flow orifice strategies, both uniform across the core and nonuniform based on the power distribution, are explored with the goal of preventing the reversal.

scholarly journals Research on Influence of Different Simulation Methods of Bypass Flow in Thermal Hydraulic Analysis on Temperature Distribution in HTR-10

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Shiyan Sun ◽  
Youjie Zhang ◽  
Yanhua Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Flow Ratio ◽  
Hydraulic Analysis ◽  
Bypass Flow ◽  
Pebble Bed ◽  
The Core ◽  
Thermal Hydraulic Analysis

In pebble-bed high temperature gas-cooled reactor, gaps widely exist between graphite blocks and carbon bricks in the reactor core vessel. The bypass helium flowing through the gaps affects the flow distribution of the core and weakens the effective cooling of the core by helium, which in turn affects the temperature distribution and the safety features of the reactor. In this paper, the thermal hydraulic analysis models of HTR-10 with bypass flow channels simulated at different positions are designed based on the flow distribution scheme of the original core models and combined with the actual position of the core bypass flow. The results show that the bypass coolant flowing through the reflectors enhances the heat transfer of the nearby components efficiently. The temperature of the side reflectors and the carbon bricks is much lower with more side bypass coolant. The temperature distribution of the central region in the pebble bed is affected by the bypass flow positions slightly, while that of the peripheral area is affected significantly. The maximum temperature of the helium, the surface, and center of the fuel elements rises as the bypass flow ratio becomes larger, while the temperature difference between them almost keeps constant. When the flow ratio of each part keeps constant, the maximum temperature almost does not change with different bypass flow positions.

CFD Investigation of Thermal-Hydraulic Behaviors in Full Reactor Core for Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Dalin Zhang ◽  
Suizheng Qiu ◽  
Kui Zhang ◽  
Mingjun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fast Reactor ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
The Core ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Heat Removal System ◽  
China Experimental Fast Reactor ◽  
Full Core

As the first developmental step of the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) in China, the pool-type China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) is equipped with the openings and inter-wrapper space in the core, which act as an important part of the decay heat removal system. The accurate prediction of coolant flow in the reactor core calls for complete three-dimensional calculations. In the present study, an investigation of thermal-hydraulic behaviors in a 180° full core model similar to that of CEFR was carried out using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. The actual geometries of the peripheral core baffle, fluid channels and narrow inter-wrapper gap were built up, and numerous subassemblies (SAs) were modeled as the porous medium with appropriate resistance and radial power distribution. First, the three-dimensional flow and temperature distributions in the full core under normal operating condition are obtained and quantitatively analyzed. And then the effect of inter-wrapper flow (IWF) on heat transfer performance is evaluated. In addition, the detailed flow path and direction in local inter-wrapper space including the internal and outlet regions are captured. This work can provide some valuable understanding of the core thermal-hydraulic phenomena for the research and design of SFRs.

Neutronics Optimization of UN Fuel Pin Assemblies for a Sodium-Cooled, Small Modular Reactor

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Schriener ◽  
Mohamed S. El-Genk
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Power ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Central Cavity ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
The Core ◽  
Small Modular Reactor ◽  
Fuel Assemblies ◽  
Fuel Pin ◽  
Reference Design ◽  
Centerline Temperature

This paper presents preliminary results of neutronics and thermal-hydraulics design analysis of a sodium cooled, small modular reactor (SMR). The reactor’s nominal thermal power is 150 MWth at sodium inlet and exit temperatures of 630 and 780 K. The reactor core is comprised of three rings of shrouded hexagonal assemblies of 19.8% enriched UN fuel pins and a hexagonal assembly of enriched B4C pins in the central cavity for a coarse reactivity control. The objectives are to provide enough excess reactivity for achieving a refueling cycle > 5 year, maintaining a more even coolant flow in the core assemblies and keeping the peak centerline temperature of UN fuel pins < 1300 K. Fuel assemblies with scalloped shroud walls, 4 rings and 1.942 cm diameter fuel pins with p/d = 1.098 are selected for the reference design of the present SMR. In this design, peak fuel centerline temperature is only 1240 K and the beginning-of-life, cold-clean excess reactivity is $26.67.

scholarly journals SPX Benchmark Part I: Results of Static Neutronics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ponomarev ◽  
Konstantin Mikityuk ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Evgeny Nikitin ◽  
Emil Fridman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Reference Solution ◽  
Transient Behaviour ◽  
The Core ◽  
Reactivity Coefficients

Abstract In the paper, the specification of a new neutronics benchmark for a large Sodium cooled Fast Reactor core and results of modelling by different participants are presented. The neutronics benchmark describes the core of the French sodium cooled reactor Superphénix at its startup configuration, which in particular was used for experimental measurement of reactivity characteristics. The benchmark consists of the detailed heterogeneous core specification for neutronic analysis and results of the reference solution. Different core geometries and thermal conditions from cold “as fabricated” up to full power were considered. The reference Monte Carlo solution of Serpent 2 includes data on multiplication factor, power distribution, axial and radial reaction rates distribution, reactivity coefficients and safety characteristics, control rods worth, kinetic data. The results of modelling with seven other solutions using deterministic and Monte Carlo methods are also presented and compared to the reference solution. The comparisons results demonstrate appropriate agreement of evaluated characteristics. The neutronics results will be used in the second phase of the benchmark for evaluation of transient behaviour of the core.

Enhanced Natural Circulation Modeling in the GNF BWR Core Simulator AETNA02 for ESBWR

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Iwamoto ◽  
Dana Miranda ◽  
James Banfield ◽  
Jake Yang ◽  
Belgacem Hizoum
Keyword(s):  
Computer Program ◽  
Void Fraction ◽  
Natural Circulation ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Core Flow ◽  
Fuel Channel ◽  
Water Reactor ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Two Fluid

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH) next evolution of Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) technology is the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR). The ESBWR is a natural circulation reactor which employs numerous passive safety features while simultaneously offering a large power output for a relatively small plant footprint. The ESBWR is characterized with shortened fuel length and a tall, partitioned chimney region above the core to promote natural circulation core flow. The ESBWR is studied with Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF)’s advanced core-simulator AETNA02. AETNA02 is a static, three-dimensional coupled nuclear-thermal hydraulic computer program representing a BWR core. The new GNF lattice-physics core simulator package LANCR02/AETNA02 consists of the two-dimensional method of characteristics based lattice code, LANCR02, which generates cross sections over a range of plant conditions and passes them to the three neutron energy group coarse mesh nodal diffusion code AETNA02. For the thermal hydraulic solution, AETNA02 includes a model which explicitly solves for the flow in each channel, water rod, and bypass region which accompanies a fuel channel. For the solution of a natural circulation plant like the ESBWR, AETNA02 utilizes the Automatic Plant Thermal Hydraulics (APTH) model which includes models for the core, the chimney region, the separator, the dryer, and the downcomer. AETNA02 iterates on the fuel channel flow and the pressure drop by modeling each chimney partition explicitly with fuel channels and bypasses mapped to it in addition to a bypass mixing model for the chimneys. This is relevant because the peripheral channels (low power) will have a lower void fraction while the central channels (higher power) will have a higher void fraction. Thus, the chimneys connected to these channels will each have a different hydrostatic head. To verify and validate each of the APTH component models, code-to-code comparisons are performed with the GEH TRACG04 code as well as data comparisons with experiments. The TRACG04 computer program is a best-estimate two-fluid transient code. Code-to-code comparisons of the two different methods (two-fluid model in TRACG04 versus drift flux model in AETNA02) are made. In addition, this study attempts to quantify the impact on the core flow distribution that will affect the calculated thermal margins, including the Critical Power Ratio (CPR). The impact of the multiple chimney (MC) versus the single chimney (SC) model is studied. The multiple chimney partition modeling provides additional detail to the core flow distribution that is not considered in the single chimney model. The results confirm and add confidence that the multiple chimney partition modeling will provide improved accuracy in the ESBWR core design.

scholarly journals Simulation of a TRIGA Reactor Core Blockage Using RELAP5 Code

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia A. L. Reis ◽  
Antonella L. Costa ◽  
Claubia Pereira ◽  
Maria Auxiliadora F. Veloso ◽  
Amir Z. Mesquita
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Research Reactor ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
The Core ◽  
Steady State Operation ◽  
Transient Simulations ◽  
Abnormal Operation ◽  
Flow Blockage ◽  
Relap5 Code

Cases of core coolant flow blockage transient have been simulated and analysed for the TRIGA IPR-R1 research reactor using the RELAP5-MOD3.3 code. The transients are related to partial and to total obstruction of the core coolant channels. The reactor behaviour after the loss of flow was analysed as well as the changes in the coolant and fuel temperatures. The behaviour of the thermal hydraulic parameters from the transient simulations was analysed. For a partial blockage, it was observed that the reactor reaches a new steady state operation with new values for the thermal hydraulic parameters. The total core blockage brings the reactor to an abnormal operation causing increase in core temperature.

scholarly journals Flattening of the Power Distribution in the HTGR Core with Structured Control Rods

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7377
Author(s):  
Michał Górkiewicz ◽  
Jerzy Cetnar
Keyword(s):  
Power Distribution ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Fission Rate ◽  
Control Rod ◽  
Structured Design ◽  
The Core ◽  
Stable Core ◽  
Control Rods ◽  
Burnup Calculation

Control rods (CRs) have a significant influence on reactor performance. Withdrawal of a control rod leaves a region of the core significantly changed due to lack of absorber, leading to increased fission rate and later to Xe135 buildup. In this paper, an innovative concept of structured control rods made of tungsten is studied. It is demonstrated that the radial division of control rods made of tungsten can effectively compensate for the reactivity loss during the irradiation cycle of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) with a prismatic core while flattening the core power distribution. Implementation of the radial division of control rods enables an operator to reduce this effect in terms of axial power because the absorber is not completely removed from a reactor region, but its amount is reduced. The results obtained from the characteristic evolution of the reactor core for CRs with a structured design in the burnup calculation using the refined timestep scheme show a very stable core evolution with a reasonably low deviation of the power density and Xe135 concentration from the average values. It is very important that all the distributions improve with burnup.

scholarly journals Double Heterogeneity Neutronic Simulation of HTR-10 for First Criticality and Full Power Initial Core with TORT-TD code

2021 ◽  
Vol 927 (1) ◽  
pp. 012037
Author(s):  
Daddy Setyawan
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Nuclear Reactor ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Pebble Bed ◽  
The Core ◽  
Full Power ◽  
Double Heterogeneity ◽  
High Temperature Gas

Abstract In order to support the verification and validation of computational methods and codes for the safety assessment of pebble bed High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs), the calculation of first criticality and full power initial core of the high-temperature pebble bed reactor 10 MWt (HTR-10) has been defined as one of the problems specified for both code-to-code and code-to-experiment benchmarking with a focus on neutronics. HTR-10 Experimental facility serves as the source of information for the currently designed high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. It is also desired to verify the existing codes against the data obtained in the facility. In HTR-10, the core is filled with thousands of graphite and fuel pebbles. Fuel pebbles in the reactor consist of TRISO particles, which are embedded in the graphite matrix stochastically. The reactor core is also stochastically filled with pebbles. These two stochastic geometries comprise the so-called double heterogeneity of this type of reactor. In this paper, the first criticality and the power distribution in full power initial core calculations of HTR-10 are used to demonstrate treatment of this double heterogeneity using TORT-TD and Serpent for cross-section generation. HTR-10 has unique characteristics in terms of the randomness in geometry, as in all pebble bed reactors. In this technique, the core structure is modeled by TORT-TD, and Serpent is used to provide the cross-section in a double heterogeneity approach. Results obtained by TORT-TD calculations are compared with available data. It is observed that TORT-TD calculation yield sufficiently accurate results in terms of initial criticality and power distribution in full power initial core of the HTR-10 reactor.

scholarly journals SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF STAINLESS STEEL REFLECTOR FOR VR-1 TRAINING REACTOR

2021 ◽  
Vol 247 ◽  
pp. 08003
Author(s):  
Jan Frybort ◽  
Lubomir Sklenka ◽  
Filip Fejt ◽  
Pavel Suk ◽  
Lenka Frybortova
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Reactor Core ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Fast Neutrons ◽  
Monte Carlo Code ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The Core ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Radial Reflector

Pressurized water reactors are typically surrounded in the radial direction by neutron reflectors made from stainless steel and water. These reflectors decrease neutron leakage and provide protection of pressure vessel from fast neutrons damaging its integrity. Such a radial reflector influences multiplication factor of the core and distribution of neutron flux and fission power inside the core. All these effects can be analyzed by full-core simulations using macroscopic constants. Methodology for generation of the macroscopic constants for non-fuel regions will be tested for new stainless steel reflectors at the VR-1 reactor. Rods from SS 304l material will be used for construction of radial reflectors for the VR-1 reactor. They will be design to generate sufficient measurable response in selected core characteristics. The study is focused on core power distribution and reactivity worth of absorbing rods in a VR-1 reactor core. The core typically consists of about 20 IRT-4M fuel assemblies and seven absorbing rods UR-70. Replacing water surrounding the core by several reflector assemblies containing stainless steel will influence leakage and distribution of neutrons inside the core. The current analysis deals with local effects and employs the sensitivity study to discover the nature of reflectors’ impact on the reactor core. These effects were studied even for several past VR-1 reactor core configurations. All calculations were carried out in Serpent2 Monte-Carlo code with various evaluated libraries: ENDF/B-VII.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0, and JEFF-3.3 data.

Burnable Poison Design for Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor With Annular Fuel

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Chuanqi ◽  
Wang Kunpeng ◽  
Cao Liangzhi ◽  
Zheng Youqi
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Fuel Assembly ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Rare Earth Oxide ◽  
Burnable Poison ◽  
The Core ◽  
Power Peak ◽  
Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor ◽  
Control Rods

Burnable poison (BP) is used to control excess reactivity in supercritical water cooled reactor (SCWR). It helps reduce the number of control rods. Over all BP designs, the design in which rare-earth oxide mixes with fuel is widely used in SCWR. BP has influence on fuel assembly neutronics performance. After comparing four kinds of rare-earth oxide, Er2O3 is chosen as BP for the annular fuel assembly. The effect of different BP loading patterns on assembly power distribution is analyzed. The safety of annular fuel assembly is estimated with different BP contents. Core performance with and without BP is compared. The results had shown that the core radial power peaking factor decreased after introducing BP. It was also shown that the core axial power peaking factor increased, and the power peak moved toward the top of the core. The reason of this effect was studied. Two optimizations were given based on this study: decreasing the temperature of lower plenum and increasing the gradients of axial enrichments. By applying these optimizations, core axial power peaking factor and maximum cladding surface temperature decreased.

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