Autonomous Control Strategies for Very High Temperature Reactor Based Systems for Hydrogen Production

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel V. Tsvetkov ◽  
Ayodeji B. Alajo ◽  
David E. Ames
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Autonomous Control ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fuel Component ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Core Self ◽  
Very High

This paper is focused on feasible autonomous control strategies for Generation IV very high temperature reactors (VHTRs)-based systems for hydrogen production. Various burnable poison distributions and fuel compositions are considered. In particular, utilization of transuranium nuclides (TRUs) in VHTRs is explored as the core self-stabilization approach. Both direct cycle and indirect cycle energy conversion approaches are discussed. It is assumed that small-scale VHTRs may be considered for international deployment as grid-appropriate variable-scale self-contained systems addressing emerging demands for hydrogen. A Monte Carlo-deterministic analysis methodology has been implemented for coupled design studies of VHTRs with TRUs using the ORNL SCALE 5.1 code system. The developed modeling approach provides an exact-geometry 3D representation of the VHTR core details properly capturing VHTR physics. The discussed studies are being performed within the scope of the U.S. DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative project on utilization of higher actinides (TRUs and partitioned minor actinides) as a fuel component for extended-life VHTR configurations.

Autonomous Control Strategies for VHTR-Based Systems for Hydrogen Production

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel V. Tsvetkov ◽  
Ayodeji B. Alajo ◽  
David E. Ames
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Autonomous Control ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fuel Component ◽  
Deterministic Analysis ◽  
Burnable Poison ◽  
Analysis Methodology ◽  
Core Self ◽  
Very High

This paper is focused on feasible autonomous control strategies for Generation IV Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTR)-based systems for hydrogen production. Various burnable poison distributions and fuel compositions are considered. In particular, utilization of TRUs in VHTRs is explored as the core self-stabilization approach. Both direct cycle and indirect cycle energy conversion approaches are discussed. It is assumed that small-scale VHTRs may be considered for international deployment as grid-appropriate variable-scale self-contained systems addressing emerging demands for hydrogen. A Monte Carlo-deterministic analysis methodology has been implemented for coupled design studies of VHTRs with TRUs using the ORNL SCALE 5.1 code system. The developed modeling approach provides an exact-geometry 3D representation of the VHTR core details properly capturing VHTR physics. The discussed studies are being performed within the scope of the U.S. DOE NERI project on utilization of higher actinides (TRUs and partitioned MAs) as a fuel component for extended-life VHTR configurations.

TRU-Fueled Very High Temperature Reactors for Applications Requiring an Extended Operation With Minimized Control and No Refueling

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel V. Tsvetkov ◽  
Tom G. Lewis ◽  
Ayodeji B. Alajo
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Component ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Very High Temperature Reactor ◽  
Extended Operation ◽  
High Temperature Reactor ◽  
Very High ◽  
Single Batch ◽  
Transuranium Nuclide

This paper presents an analysis of transuranium nuclide (TRU)-fueled very high temperature reactor (VHTR) systems focusing on applications requiring an extended operation with minimized control and no refueling (single-batch mode). As an example of such applications, international deployment opportunities for grid-appropriate VHTR systems could be mentioned addressing demands for electricity, industrial heat, and co-generation in those regions where minimized servicing is desirable for various reasons. The study is performed for the hexagonal block core concept within the framework of the ongoing U.S. DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative project on utilization of higher actinides (TRUs and partitioned minor actinides (MAs)) as a fuel component for extended-life VHTRs. The up-to-date analysis has shown reasonable reactivity swings, core life limits with respect to fast fluences, and criticality.

VHTR-Based Systems for Autonomous Co-Generation Applications

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel V. Tsvetkov ◽  
David E. Ames ◽  
Ayodeji B. Alajo ◽  
Tom G. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Fuel Component ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
High Temperature Process ◽  
Nuclear Systems ◽  
Cogeneration System ◽  
Process Heat ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies ◽  
Core Self

As highly efficient advanced nuclear systems, Generation IV Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTR) can be considered in a variety of configurations for electricity generation and process heat applications. Simultaneous delivery of electricity, low-temperature process heat (for potable water production, district heating, etc.) and high temperature process heat (for hydrogen production, etc.) by a single cogeneration system offers unique deployment options as “all-in-one” power stations. This paper is focused on the VHTR-based systems for autonomous co-generation applications. The analysis is being performed within the scope of the U.S. DOE NERI project on utilization of higher actinides (TRUs and partitioned MAs) as a fuel component for extended-life VHTR configurations. It accounts for system performance characteristics including VHTR physics features, control options and energy conversion efficiencies. Utilization of TRUs in VHTRs is explored to stabilize in-core fuel compositions (core self-stabilization) leading to extended single-batch OTTO (Once-Through-Then-Out) modes of operation without intermediate refueling.

Analysis of Tritium Behavior in Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Coupled with Thermochemical Iodine-Sulfur Process for Hydrogen Production

2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1215-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi OHASHI ◽  
Nariaki SAKABA ◽  
Tetsuo NISHIHARA ◽  
Yukio TACHIBANA ◽  
Kazuhiko KUNITOMI
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Very High ◽  
High Temperature Gas

Use of LaB6 for a High Quality, Small Energy Spread Beam in an Electron Velocity Spectrometer

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 534-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. Batson ◽  
C. H. Chen ◽  
J. Silcox
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Energy Resolution ◽  
Electron Velocity ◽  
Electronic Excitations ◽  
Small Energy ◽  
Small Intensity ◽  
Good Energy ◽  
Spectrometer System ◽  
Electron Energy Loss ◽  
Very High

Electron energy loss experiments combined with microscopy have proven to be a valuable tool for the exploration of the structure of electronic excitations in materials. These types of excitations, however, are difficult to measure because of their small intensity. In a usual situation, the filament of the microscope is run at a very high temperature in order to present as much intensity as possible at the specimen. This results in a degradation of the ultimate energy resolution of the instrument due to thermal broadening of the electron beam.We report here observations and measurements on a new LaB filament in a microscope-velocity spectrometer system. We have found that, in general, we may retain a good energy resolution with intensities comparable to or greater than those available with the very high temperature tungsten filament. We have also explored the energy distribution of this filament.

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