scholarly journals NEUTRONIC AND THERMAL HYDRAULICS ANALYSIS OF CONTROL ROD EFFECT ON THE OPERATION SAFETY OF TRIGA 2000 REACTOR

Author(s):  
Surian Pinem ◽  
Tukiran Surbakti ◽  
Iman Kuntoro

NEUTRONIC AND THERMAL HYDRAULICS ANALYSIS OF CONTROL ROD EFFECT ON THE OPERATION SAFETY OF TRIGA 2000 REACTOR. Analysis of neutronic and thermal-hydraulics parameters of whole operation cycle is very important for the safety of reactor operation. During the reactor operation cycle, the position of the control rods will change due to reactivity changes. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of control rods position on neutronic and thermal-hydraulics parameters in relation to the safety of reactor operation of the TRIGA 2000 reactor using silicide fuel of MTR plate type. Those parameters are power peaking factor, reactivity coefficients, and steady-state thermohydraulic parameters. Neutronic calculations are performed using a combination of WIMSD/5 and Batan-3DIFF codes and for thermal-hydraulics the calculations are done using WIMSD/5 and MTRDYN codes. The calculation results show that the reactivity coefficient values are negative for all control rod positions both at CZP and HFP conditions. The MTC value decreases when the control rod is inserted into the active core while the FTC value increases. The total ppf results and temperature in steady-state rise when the control rods are inserted of into the active core whereby the maximum value occurs at the position of the control rods of 20 cm from the bottom of the active core. The calculation results of ppf, reactivity coefficient, and thermal-hydraulics parameters lay below safety limits, indicating that the TRIGA 2000 reactor can safely use U3Si2-Al silicide fuel as a substitute fuel for cylindrical type fuel.Keywords: neutronic, thermal-hydraulic parameter, control rod effect, TRIGA 2000, silicide fuel.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengli Chen ◽  
Cenxi Yuan

Neutronic performance is investigated for a potential accident tolerant fuel (ATF), which consists of U3Si2fuel and FeCrAl cladding. In comparison with current UO2-Zr system, FeCrAl has a better oxidation resistance but a larger thermal neutron absorption cross section. U3Si2has a higher thermal conductivity and a higher uranium density, which can compensate the reactivity suppressed by FeCrAl. Based on neutronic investigations, a possible U3Si2-FeCrAl fuel-cladding system is taken into consideration. Fundamental properties of the suggested fuel-cladding combination are investigated in a fuel assembly. These properties include moderator and fuel temperature coefficients, control rods worth, radial power distribution (in a fuel rod), and different void reactivity coefficients. The present work proves that the new combination has less reactivity variation during its service lifetime. Although, compared with the current system, it has a little larger deviation on power distribution and a little less negative temperature coefficient and void reactivity coefficient and its control rods worth is less important, variations of these parameters are less important during the service lifetime of fuel. Hence, U3Si2-FeCrAl system is a potential ATF candidate from a neutronic view.


Nukleonika ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 131-138
Author(s):  
◽  
Topan Setiadipura ◽  
Jim C. Kuijper ◽  

Abstract As a crucial core physics parameter, the control rod reactivity has to be predicted for the control and safety of the reactor. This paper studies the control rod reactivity calculation of the pebble-bed reactor with three scenarios of UO2, (Th,U)O2, and PuO2 fuel type without any modifications in the configuration of the reactor core. The reactor geometry of HTR-10 was selected for the reactor model. The entire calculation of control rod reactivity was done using the MCNP6 code with ENDF/B-VII library. The calculation results show that the total reactivity worth of control rods in UO2-, (U,Th)O2-, and PuO2-fueled cores is 15.87, 15.25, and 14.33%Δk/k, respectively. These results prove that the effectiveness of total control rod in thorium and uranium cores is almost similar to but higher than that in plutonium cores. The highest reactivity worth of individual control rod in uranium, thorium and plutonium cores is 1.64, 1.44, and 1.53%Δk/k corresponding to CR8, CR1, and CR5, respectively. The other results demonstrate that the reactor can be safely shutdown with the control rods combination of CR3+CR5+CR8+CR10, CR2+CR3+CR7+CR8, and CR1+CR3+CR6+CR8 in UO2-, (U,Th)O2-, and PuO2-fueled cores, respectively. It can be concluded that, even though the calculation results are not so much different, however, the selection of control rods should be considered in the pebble-bed core design with different scenarios of fuel type.


Kerntechnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-181
Author(s):  
R. M. Refeat ◽  
H. K. Louis

Abstract Criticality analysis of spent fuel assumes that the fuel material is unburned which means that it is in its most reactive condition. In fact, this is not the real situation for fuel as it is burned during reactor operation causing reduction in the reactivity. Considering the reduction in reactivity during spent fuel calculations is the Burn-up Credit concept (BUC). In addition, the control rods radial and axial positions have an effect on the reactivity which can be considered in the criticality safety analysis. This paper studies the effect of burnup and control rods (CRs) movement on reactivity and isotopes inventory. Calculations are carried out in two phases, first kinf is calculated for different burnup profiles with control rods are either fully withdrawn or fully inserted. In the second phase keff is calculated for different control rods insertion levels. For both phases, burnup calculations are performed for a UO2 assembly then multiplication factor calculations of burned UO2 assemblies in cold state are done. The burnup calculations are performed using MCNP6 code and ENDF/B-VII library for different burnup levels up to 45 GWd/tU. The results obtained can be taken in consideration in criticality safety analysis performed for the spent fuel to improve the economic efficiency for manufacture, storage and transportation of fissile materials.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tagor Malem Sembiring ◽  
Surian Pinem ◽  
Peng Hong Liem

The in-house coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulic (N/T-H) code of BATAN (National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia), NODAL3, based on the few-group neutron diffusion equation in 3-dimensional geometry using the polynomial nodal method, has been verified with static and transient PWR benchmark cases. This paper reports the verification of NODAL3 code in the NEA-NSC PWR uncontrolled control rods withdrawal at zero power benchmark. The objective of this paper is to determine the accuracy of NODAL3 code in solving the continuously slow and fast reactivity insertions due to single and group of control rod bank withdrawn while the power and temperature increment are limited by the Doppler coefficient. The benchmark is chosen since many organizations participated using various methods and approximations, so the calculation results of NODAL3 can be compared to other codes’ results. The calculated parameters are performed for the steady-state, transient core averaged, and transient hot pellet results. The influence of radial and axial nodes number was investigated for all cases. The results of NODAL3 code are in very good agreement with the reference solutions if the radial and axial nodes number is 2 × 2 and 2 × 18 (total axial layers), respectively.


Author(s):  
Yong Rae Kim ◽  
Tae Young Choi ◽  
Sun Ho Shin ◽  
Ki Bong Seong

Initial core of Ulchin Nuclear Unit 3 (UCN3), which is one of earlier OPR1000 model, was 4 batches and designed as annual cycle after second cycle. The utility requested that UCN Unit 5 (UCN5), which is another of OPR1000 model, had capability of a longer cycle operation from second cycle. Therefore, KNF modified the number of batches from 4 to 3 for OPR1000 initial core, as well as, the number of burnable absorber, and the cutback length of the absorber. However, due to these changes, Xenon oscillation was slightly increased at 100% power during the physics test of UCN5, while that oscillation at 100% power in UCN3 had been gone down without any control rod motion. The xenon oscillation direction is related to axial stability index. The index of UCN3 increased from a slightly negative at BOC to positive at EOC, the index of UCN5 was positive even at BOC, which meant that the core does not go to be stable without the control rod motion. The core of UCN5 became the steady state by the insertion of control rods into the core. To meet the physics test condition, the oscillation was controlled by control rods immediately. After the happening, KNF optimized the cutback length of burnable absorber rods and applied to APR1400, which will keep being stable in xenon oscillation during physics test at the initial cycle.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Syarip, Khoirul Anam, Dwi Priyantoro

ANALISISPENGATURAN POSISI CONTROL RODS PADA KONSEP REAKTOR DAYA EKSPERIMENTAL INDONESIA PASCA REACTOR SCRAM POST REACTOR SCRAM CONTROL RODS POSITION ADJUSTMENT ANALYSIS FOR THE INDONESIAN EXPERIMENTAL POWER REACTOR CONCEPT. ABSTRAK ANALISIS PENGATURAN POSISI CONTROL RODS PADA KONSEP REAKTOR DAYA EKSPERIMENTAL INDONESIA PASCA REACTOR SCRAM. Telah dilakukan analisis simulasi pengaturan posisi batang-batang kendali untuk melanjutkan operasi reaktor daya eksperimental (RDE) paska scram setelah beroperasi pada periode waktu tertentu. Pengendalian reaktivitas pada reaktor RDE yang akan dibangun di Indonesia dengan rujukan high temperature gas reactor (HTR) 10 MWt, dilakukan dengan 10  pasang batang-batang kendali atau control rod (CR). Apabila terrjadi kondisi abnormal maka CR secara otomatis akan jatuh tersisip ke dalam reflektor  reaktor sehingga reaktor scram dan berada pada kondisi subkritis. Untuk melanjutkan operasi reaktor pasca scram diperlukan analisis terkait pengaruh reaktivitas negatif dari Xenon dan suhu. Pada makalah ini disajikan hasil simulasi yang dilakukan untuk penentuan posisi CR paling optimum untuk melanjutkan operasi reaktor, menggunakan simulator PCTRAN-HTR. Simulasi dilakukan pada variasi 70%, 85% dan 100% dari tingkat daya penuh dan dengan variasi waktu operasi 50 s, 10.000 s, dan 20.000 s di mana setelah reaktor beroperasi pada tingkat-tingkat daya dan waktu operasi tersebut reaktor mengalami scram. Untuk melanjutkan operasi lagi maka CR harus dinaikkan lagi dan diatur ke posisi tertentu sampai   reaktor mencapai kondisi kritis lagi pada tingkat daya nominal tersebut. Hasil yang telah diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa dengan posisi CR naik 52 % sudah bisa menghasilkan kondisi kritis dan mampu mengatasi reaktivitas negatif peracunan xenon maupun suhu. Kata kunci: RDE, HTR, operasi reaktor, batang kendali, reaktivitas, scram ABSTRACT POST REACTOR SCRAM CONTROL RODS POSITION ADJUSTMENT ANALYSIS FOR THE INDONESIAN EXPERIMENTAL POWER REACTOR CONCEPT. Analytical study using PC-based simulator has been carried out on control rods position adjustment of the Indonesian experimental power reactor concept or reaktor daya ekperimental (RDE) in a post reactor scram to continue operation after a certain operation period. Reactivity control of the RDE uses 10 pairs of control rods (CRs), which is based on that applied in the high temperature gas reactor (HTR) 10 MW(t). If an abnormal operating condition occurs, these control rods automatically dropped to the reflector that bring the reactor into a scram and subcritical condition. To continue reactor operation after a period of time, the CRs should be withdrawn to achieve recriticality. Prior to any CRs withdrawal, an analysis of negative reactivity effects of Xenon (poissoning) and fuel temperature coefficient should be done. Simulations using PCTRAN-HTR simulator to determine the optimum CRs positions in achieving reactor criticality for continuation of reactor operation is presented in this paper. The simulations were conducted by varying the reactor power levels at 70%, 85% and 100% of full power, respectively. The reactor operation time was varied at 50s, 10000s, and 20000 s prior to the reactor scram. Adjustment of CRs position should be done to continue reactor operation at those nominal power levels by withdrawing the CRs to the proper positions. The simulation results show that recriticality can be achieverd by whitdrawing the CRs 52% of farther and the negative reactivity from xenon poisoning and temperature could be overcome. Keywords : RDE, HTR, reactor operation, control rod, reactivity, scram.


Author(s):  
Andrius Slavickas

Reactor power and neutron activity control is the main key for safe reactor operation. Reactivity coefficients and effects are main measures to estimate reactor control and safety. These characteristics outline reactors behavior during usually exploitation and accident events. Reactivity coefficients and effects quantify the effect, which various parameters (e.g. fuel and graphite temperatures, amount of steam) have for the core neutron activity. Many modifications of RBMK-1500 reactor cores in Ignalina NPP were made during their lifetime. Reactor core modifications like load of higher enriched fuel with burnable absorber and new design control rods affected reactivity coefficients and effects. Neutron-physical parameters calculations of reactor core states with variant fuel loads and new design control rods were performed using QUABOC/CUBBOC-HYCA software. The changes of reactivity coefficients and effects were quantified in this paper.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surian Pinem ◽  
Tagor Malem Sembiring ◽  
Peng Hong Liem

A coupled neutronics thermal-hydraulics code NODAL3 has been developed based on the few-group neutron diffusion equation in 3-dimensional geometry for typical PWR static and transient analyses. The spatial variables are treated by using a polynomial nodal method while for the neutron dynamic solver the adiabatic and improved quasistatic methods are adopted. In this paper we report the benchmark calculation results of the code against the OECD/NEA CRP PWR rod ejection cases. The objective of this work is to determine the accuracy of NODAL3 code in analysing the reactivity initiated accident due to the control rod ejection. The NEACRP PWR rod ejection cases are chosen since many organizations participated in the NEA project using various methods as well as approximations, so that, in addition to the reference solutions, the calculation results of NODAL3 code can also be compared to other codes’ results. The transient parameters to be verified are time of power peak, power peak, final power, final average Doppler temperature, maximum fuel temperature, and final coolant temperature. The results of NODAL3 code agree well with the PHANTHER reference solutions in 1993 and 1997 (revised). Comparison with other validated codes, DYN3D/R and ANCK, shows also a satisfactory agreement.


Author(s):  
Eric Lillberg

The cracked control rods shafts found in two Swedish NPPs were subjected to thermal fatigue due to mixing of cold purge flow with hot bypass water in the upper part of the top tube on which the control rod guide tubes rests. The interaction between the jets formed at the bypass water inlets is the main source of oscillation resulting in low frequency downward motion of hot bypass water into the cold purge flow. This ultimately causes thermal fatigue in the control rod shaft in the region below the four lower bypass water inlets. The transient analyses shown in this report were done to further investigate this oscillating phenomenon and compare to experimental measurements of water temperatures inside the control rod guide tube. The simulated results show good agreement with experimental data regarding all important variables for the estimation of thermal fatigue such as peak-to-peak temperature range, frequency of oscillation and duration of the temperature peaks. The results presented in this report show that CFD using LES methodology and the open source toolbox OpenFOAM is a viable tool for predicting complex turbulent mixing flows and thermal loads.


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