Comparison of square and hexagonal fuel lattices for high conversion PWRs

D. Kotlyar; E. Shwageraus

doi:10.3139/124.110256

Article

Comparison of square and hexagonal fuel lattices for high conversion PWRs

D. Kotlyar and E. Shwageraus

Published/Copyright: June 11, 2013

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From the journal Kerntechnik Volume 77 Issue 4

Abstract

This paper reports on an investigation into fuel design choices of a pressurized water reactor operating in a self-sustainable Th-²³³U fuel cycle. In order to evaluate feasibility of this concept, two types of fuel assembly lattices were considered: square and hexagonal. The hexagonal lattice may offer some advantages over the square one. For example, the fertile blanket fuel can be packed more tightly reducing the blanket volume fraction in the core and potentially allowing to achieve higher core average power density. The calculations were carried out with Monte-Carlo based BGCore code system and the results were compared to those obtained with Serpent Monte-Carlo code and deterministic transport code BOXER. One of the major design challenges associated with the SB concept is high power peaking due to the high concentration of fissile material in the seed region. The second objective of this work is to estimate the maximum achievable core power density by evaluation of limiting thermal hydraulic parameters. The analysis showed that both fuel assembly designs have a potential of achieving net breeding. Although hexagonal lattice was found to be somewhat more favorable because it allows achieving higher power density, while having breeding performance comparable to the square lattice case.

Kurzfassung

In diesem Beitrag werden Untersuchungen zur Auswahl verschiedener Brennelementanordnungen für DWR mit Th²³³-U Brennstoffkreislauf untersucht. Dabei wurde die Realisierbarkeit einer quadratischen und einer hexagonalen Anordnung der Brennelemente verglichen. Hexagonale Anordnungen zeichnen sich durch eine mögliche höhere Packungsdichte des Brutmaterials im Kern und damit durch eine höhere mittlere Leistungsdichte aus im Vergleich zu quadratischen Anordnungen. Die Berechnungen wurden mit dem auf der Monte-Carlo Methode basierenden Programmsystem BGCore, dem Serpent Monte-Carlo Programm und dem deterministischen Transportcode BOXER durchgeführt und miteinander verglichen. Hohe Leistungspeaks infolge der hohen Konzentration von spaltbarem Material in der Brutzone sind eine wesentliche Herausforderung an die DWR-Konzepte mit Th²³³-U Brennstoffkreisläufen. Ein weiteres Ziel der Berechnungen war die Bestimmung dieser Leistungspeaks und die Berechnung der maximal möglichen Kernleistungsdichte unter Beachtung der limitierenden thermohydraulischen Parameter. Die Analysen zeigten, dass in beiden Brennstabanordnungen positive Brutraten erzielt werden können. Die hexagonale Anordnung wird derzeit etwas mehr favorisiert, weil für diese höhere Leistungsdichten bei im Vergleich zur quadratischen Anordnung vergleichbaren Brutraten erzielt werden können.

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Received: 2012-12-21

Published Online: 2013-06-11

Published in Print: 2012-08-01

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https://doi.org/10.3139/124.110256