Analysis of Doppler reactivity of SMART reactor core for hybrid fuel configurations of UO2, MOX and (Th/U)O2 using OpenMC
-
Y. Alzahrani
,
F. A. Abolaban
Abstract
In this study, the Doppler reactivity coefficient has been investigated for UO2, MOX, and (Th/U)O2 fuel types. The calculation has been carried out using the Monte Carlo method ( OpenMC). The effective multiplication factor keff has been evaluated for three materials with four different configurations without Integral Fuel Burnable Absorber (IFBA) rods and soluble boron. The results of MOX fuel, homogenous and heterogeneous thorium fuel configuration has been compared with the core of the reference fuel assembly (UO2). The calculation showed that the effective multiplication factor at 1 000 K was 1.26052, 1.14254, 1.22018 and 1.23771 for reference core, MOX, homogenous and heterogeneous configurations respectively. The results shows that reactivity has decreased with increasing temperature while the doppler reactivity coefficient remained negative. Moreover, the use of (Th/U)O2 homogenous and heterogeneous configuration had shown an improved response compared to the reference core at 600 K and 1 000 K. The doppler reactivity coefficient has been found as –8.98E-3 pcm/K, -0.8 655 pcmK for the homogenous and –8.854 pcm/K, -1.2253 pcm/K for the heterogeneous configuration. However, the pattern remained the same as for the reference core at other temperature points. MOX fuel has shown less response compared to the other fuel configuration because of the high resonance absorption coefficient of Plutonium. This study showed that the SMART reactor could be operated safely with investigated fuel and models.
Abstract
In dieser Studie wurde der Doppler-Reaktivitätskoeffizient für UO2-, MOX- und (Th/U)O2-Brennstoffelemente untersucht. Die Berechnung wurde mit der Monte-Carlo-Methode (OpenMC) durchgeführt. Der effektive Multiplikationsfaktor keff wurde für drei Materialien mit vier verschiedenen Konfigurationen ohne Integral Fuel Burnable Absorberstäbe und lösliches Bor ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse von MOX-Brennstoff, homogener und heterogener Thorium-Brennstoffkonfiguration wurden mit dem Kern des Referenz-Brennelements (UO2) verglichen. Die Berechnung zeigte, dass der effektive Multiplikationsfaktor bei 1 000 K 1,26052, 1,14254, 1,22018 und 1,23771 für den Referenzkern, die MOX-, homogenen und heterogenen Konfigurationen beträgt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Reaktivität mit steigender Temperatur abgenommen hat, während der Doppler-Reaktivitätskoeffizient negativ bleibt. Darüber hinaus zeigte die Verwendung der homogenen und heterogenen ( Th/U) O2-Konfiguration eine verbesserte Reaktion im Vergleich zum Referenzkern bei 600 K und 1 000 K. Der Doppler-Reaktivitätskoeffizient wurde als –8,98E-3 pcm/K, –0,8 655 pcm/K für die homogene und –8,854 pcm/K, –1,2 253 pcm/K für die heterogene Konfiguration ermittelt. Das Muster blieb jedoch das gleiche wie für den Referenzkern bei anderen Temperaturpunkten. MOX-Brennstoff zeigte aufgrund des hohen Resonanzabsorptionskoeffizienten von Plutonium eine geringere Reaktion im Vergleich zu den anderen Brennstoffkonfigurationen. Diese Studie zeigte, dass der SMART-Reaktor mit den untersuchten Brennstoffen und Modellen sicher betrieben werden kann.
Acknowledgements
This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. KEP-17-135-38. The authors, therefore, gratefully acknowledge DSR technical and financial support.
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© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston, Germany
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Study of PWR hot leg creep rupture and RCS depressurization strategy during an SBO accident
- Effect of gap design pressure on the LWR fuel rods lifetime
- Simulation of turbulent mixing rate in simulated subchannels of a reactor rod bundle
- Methodology for analyzing accidents with radioactive material release with code EPZDose
- Development and usage of the digital SAMG system
- Analysis of Doppler reactivity of SMART reactor core for hybrid fuel configurations of UO2, MOX and (Th/U)O2 using OpenMC
- Corrosion surveillance program for tank, fuel cladding and supporting structure of 30 MW Indonesian RSG GAS research reactor
- Investigation of effects of nonavailability of passive safety systems on the reactor behaviour during LOCA Scenario in AP600
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Study of PWR hot leg creep rupture and RCS depressurization strategy during an SBO accident
- Effect of gap design pressure on the LWR fuel rods lifetime
- Simulation of turbulent mixing rate in simulated subchannels of a reactor rod bundle
- Methodology for analyzing accidents with radioactive material release with code EPZDose
- Development and usage of the digital SAMG system
- Analysis of Doppler reactivity of SMART reactor core for hybrid fuel configurations of UO2, MOX and (Th/U)O2 using OpenMC
- Corrosion surveillance program for tank, fuel cladding and supporting structure of 30 MW Indonesian RSG GAS research reactor
- Investigation of effects of nonavailability of passive safety systems on the reactor behaviour during LOCA Scenario in AP600
