The effects of Gd and Er as burnable absorbers in VVER-1200 assembly using OpenMC: a comparative neutronic study
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Mosharat Belal Tahia
,
Lamia Zubair
,
Sumaiya Islam
and
Abdus Sattar Mollah
Abstract
Gadolinia (Gd2O3), known for its high neutron capture cross-section, is used in nuclear reactors to regulate reactivity and extend reactor life by absorbing excess neutrons. This study uses the OpenMC, an open-source Monte Carlo simulation code, to evaluate the use of Erbia (Er2O3) as a potential supplement for Gadolinia in VVER-1200 reactors. Varying fractions of Er2O3 (1 %, 3 %, and 5 %) were compared with the standard 5 % Gd2O3. Using ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data library, criticality, reactivity, depletion up to 60 MW d/kgHM, pin power distribution at 0 MW d/kgHM and 40 MW d/kgHM, effects of control rods were analysed. Additionally, the effect of control rods, fuel and moderator temperature coefficients, and the effect of boron concentration variation have been observed. The results show that different variations of Er2O3 achieve similar reactivity control and power distribution as current designs, although Er2O3 provide excess reactivity at the start of the cycle, it maintains a relatively balanced power among fuel pins. Actinide production was also comparable to that of the reference 5 % Gd2O3 model.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Water hammer analysis of essential service water system in nuclear power plant
- Constant heat flux and flow characteristics of nanofluids in an annular helical tube heat exchanger
- The effects of Gd and Er as burnable absorbers in VVER-1200 assembly using OpenMC: a comparative neutronic study
- Looking for situation awareness in nuclear power plant: uncovering information requirement and influencing factors through a goal-directed task analysis
- Safety, and security monitoring system for spent nuclear fuel dry cask storage
- Calendar of events
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Water hammer analysis of essential service water system in nuclear power plant
- Constant heat flux and flow characteristics of nanofluids in an annular helical tube heat exchanger
- The effects of Gd and Er as burnable absorbers in VVER-1200 assembly using OpenMC: a comparative neutronic study
- Looking for situation awareness in nuclear power plant: uncovering information requirement and influencing factors through a goal-directed task analysis
- Safety, and security monitoring system for spent nuclear fuel dry cask storage
- Calendar of events
