Verification of Homogenization in Fast Critical Assembly Analyses

In the present paper, homogenization procedures for fast critical assembly analyses are investigated.

Errors caused by homogenizations are evaluated by the exact perturbation theory. In order to obtain reference solutions, three-dimensional plate-wise transport calculations are performed. It is found that the angular neutron flux along plate boundaries has a significant peak in the fission source energy range. To treat this angular dependence accurately, the double-Gaussian Chebyshev angular quadrature set with S24 is applied.

It is shown that the difference between the heterogeneous leakage theory and the homogeneous theory is negligible, and that transport cross sections homogenized with neutron flux significantly underestimate neutron leakage. The error in criticality caused by a homogenization is estimated at about 0.1%Δ/k/kk' in a small fast critical assembly. In addition, the neutron leakage is overestimated by both leakage theories when sodium plates in fuel lattices are voided.     

CEFR钠空泡反应性效应试验测量与计算分析

本文介绍了中国实验快堆物理启动试验中钠空泡反应性效应测量试验的试验程序及测量结果评估,测量结果显示中国实验快堆典型位置钠空泡反应性价值皆为数值较大的负反应性,结果符合试验验证要求,验证了组件瞬间堵流事故专设监测系统的信号基础。并对试验进行了计算分析,试验前的分析为试验提供支持,试验验证了计算分析程序系统。     

大型MOX燃料快堆钠空泡反应性微扰理论研究

钠空泡反应性效应是钠冷快堆核设计和安全分析的重要内容。本文基于多群节块扩散法,采用微扰理论推导出钠空泡反应性的计算方法,对1 000 MWe钠冷快堆MOX燃料堆芯的总钠空泡反应性、空间分布、物理分项进行了计算。结果表明,钠空泡反应性主要来源于中子泄漏的增加和能谱的硬化,两者一正一负,且空间分布规律相反,导致钠空泡反应性具有强烈的空间依赖性;对于所计算的MOX燃料堆芯钠空泡反应性高达3 $左右。计算和分析结果阐明了钠空泡反应性的产生机理和分布规律,可为低钠空泡的设计提供参考。     

Analysis of Sodium Void Reactivity Measured in FCA V-1 Assembly

The analysis of sodium void reactivity measurements has been performed. The measurements were made in the FCA V-1, which is a fast critical assembly intended for physics mock-up of the experimental fast reactor “JOYO”. The voided zones were the central region of the core and channel drawers extending throughout the core height. The calculations were performed using the JAERI set with 70- group structure.

As a result it was found that the conventional two-dimensional calculations underestimate measurements by about 10–40% in the core region. However, if the axial streaming effects are considered, the ratio between calculations and experimental results become about 0.9 for almost all cases of channel void. The streaming effects are calculated with use of Benoist's formula of anisotropic diffusion coefficients.

The heterogeneity effects on the spatial neutron flux distribution are taken into consideration by the collision probability method. The effect is large in the central part of the core (about 20% negative reactivity). The elastic removal cross sections are precisely obtained for the predominant resonances of light elements and compared with the conventional set. The influence on sodium void reactivity is not so large in this assembly.     

Studies on Influence of Sodium Void Reactivity Effect on the Concept of the Core and Safety of Advanced Fast Reactor

The paper is devoted to studies on the influence of the sodium void reactivity effect (SVRE) on the safety and technical and economical characteristics of the BN-1200-type reactor. Different core options are considered for application to this reactor. These core options differ in design, dimensions, and, hence, SVRE value. It is shown by the analysis that the most flattened core with sodium plenum at the top assures reactor self-protection under beyond-design-basis accident conditions. Sodium plenum abandonment and core height increase causing an SVRE value increase deteriorate reactor self-protection, but at the same time, improve some technical and economical characteristics of the reactor. Self-protection means the possibility to avoid rapid core meltdown under conditions of the above-listed beyond-design accidents. The possibility of controlling beyond-design accidents (for instance, by restoring the power supply of the main pumps in a rather short time) is taken into account. Issues of choosing the optimal core design under these conditions are discussed.     

气冷快堆燃料组件均匀化初步研究

气冷快堆是第4代核能系统候选方案之一,具有高温多用途、能增殖等优点。本工作以一气冷快堆的设计方案为研究对象,针对单组件模型和全堆芯模型,采用MCNP耦合ORIGEN的方法,计算了有关临界、燃耗过程的几个重要物理特性,比较了采用精细化结构和组件均匀化方法在计算精度、计算时间等的差别,说明了采用组件均匀化方法进行气冷快堆全堆燃耗计算的必要性和可行性。     

CEFR组件替换反应性价值试验测量与计算分析

组件替换反应性价值定义为测量位置组件替换成相应组件时引入的反应性变化。中国实验快堆物理启动试验中组件替换反应性价值测量试验方案中,试验测量了8个典型位置,其中6个位置为燃料组件替换成不锈钢组件,另外两个为不锈钢组件替换成燃料组件。测量结果显示,燃料组件替换反应性价值由内至外依次减少,内圈燃料组件替换反应性价值约-980 pcm,外圈燃料组件替换反应性价值约-470 pcm,补偿棒棒组测量和单根补偿棒测量的结果差别微小。使用CITATION程序对试验方案进行了理论计算,结果表明,计算结果与实验值符合良好,检验了CITATION程序的工程设计实用性。     

快中子临界装置逆动态法反应性测量系统研制与应用

逆动态法可实时、准确地测量反应性,在反应性部件刻度、扰动反应性效应测量、动力堆的瞬态分析等领域具有独特的优点。本文基于逆动态法研制了快中子临界装置反应性测量系统,并对其进行了算法验证与指标分析。实验结果表明,该系统具有测量精度高、响应快、分辨率高、使用方便等优点,满足实验需求。     

Comparison of Cell Models for Analysis of Heterogeneous Fast Critical Assembly

We have investigated cell calculation models to be used in the analysis of neutronic characteristics of a heterogeneous fast critical assembly. As cell models we have considered a single drawer model with a critical buckling, a single drawer model with group dependent bucklings and a multidrawer model which consists of some fuel and blanket drawers. We have compared the cell averaged cross sections obtained from these cell models with the results of a reference transport calculation and estimated the effects of the cell models on k _eff, reaction rate ratios, reaction rate distributions and sodium void worths in the heterogeneous fast critical assembly ZPPR-13A. The multidrawer model and the single drawer model with group dependent buckling give reasonable cell averaged cross sections and have large effects on k _eff and ²³⁸U fission rate distribution.     

Modeling for Void Reactivity Effect by Subcooled Boiling under Reactivity Initiated Accident Condition of BWR

A simple mechanistic model is presented to evaluate the subcooled void reactivity effect under a Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA) at cold critical condition of BWR. This model consists of a drift flux model for vapor velocity and a vapor mass conservation model with a term of vapor source on a heated wall, and it was incorporated into a homogeneous and equilibrium thermal-hydraulic code EUREKA-JINS. A sample analysis by this model showed that the subcooled void reactivity effect leads to reduction of the maximum fuel enthalpy by about 20 cal/g UO₂ in the case of RIA at cold critical condition. Though the reduced value is dependent on the reactor core condition, this result indicates the significance of subcooled void reactivity effect in the accident, while the effect can be neglected in the hot stand-by case where, at most, only 4 cal/g UO₂ is reduced for the maximum fuel enthalpy.     

临界外推中对控制棒价值非线性的修正

研究堆在物理启动时一般通过棒位外推法得出临界棒位,从而逐步达到临界。但由于控制棒积分价值的非线性,使得这一外推过程不安全或过于偏保守,特别是当临界棒位处于非线性区时。根据点堆模型可导出计数率倒数与Δk_eff成正比,若根据积分价值曲线将棒位对应为Δk_eff,则可修正控制棒价值非线性的影响。通过研究堆的临界外推数据验证了这一方法的准确性。     

Modification to Fissile Element Cross Sections and Their Influence on the Calculated Parameters of Fast Critical Assemblies

Fast cross section sets are prepared for the analysis of fast critical assemblies to test the agreement of calculated and measured integral parameters. Modifications are brought to fissile element cross sections making use of recently measured cross section data, and these updated cross section data are utilized to compare the calculated integral parameters of these assemblies, and to determine the effect brought to the calculated results by the differences between the data. The results are presented for the eigenvalue, central fission ratios and centra] sample reactivity in the ²³⁹Pu fueled assemblies ZPR- 3-48, 49, 50 and ZEBRA-6A, whose spectra simulate those of large fast reactors. In addition, for ZPR- 6-7 and ZPPR-2, which are large fast critical assemblies intended for testing the calcul ational procedures of practical demonstration reactor design, the results of analysis obtained with the updated cross section set are compared with experiments. It is found that the cross section for ²⁴¹Pu recommended here satisfactorily agrees with the experimental reactivity worth.     

钠冷快堆自然循环组件子通道程序初步研发

本文为计算和分析钠冷快堆自然循环组件的热工水力特性,开发了钠冷快堆堆芯自然循环冷却组件子通道分析程序。基于61棒单组件模型,通过将本程序的结果与COBRA程序进行比较,验证了钠冷快堆堆芯自然循环冷却组件子通道分析程序对自然循环冷却组件的适用性。基于多盒组件模型,初步验证了本程序具备自然循环冷却组件的流量分配和盒间换热计算的功能。本程序能为池式快堆自然循环冷却组件提供有效的设计和分析工具。     

A Numerical Study of Heterogeneity Effects in Fast Reactor Critical Assemblies

An attempt is made of applying the shielding factor method with a coarse-group structure to cell calculations for plate-type fast reactor assemblies. The 24-group collision probability calculations based on the shielding factor method derived from the basic equation is shown to give results of practical validity for heterogeneity and bunching reactivities, as proved by comparisons with 1950-group collision probability calculations and experiments in the FCA assemblies V-2 and VI-2.

The mechanism of the heterogeneity effect in the two assemblies is examined in detail. Most part of the heterogeneity reactivity is found to be due to the flux heterogeneity effect, whereas the reactivity associated with the change of plate pattern is mostly caused by the change of the flux heterogeneity effect in the case of the assembly V-2, and by the change of the heterogeneous shielding effect in the case of the assembly VI-2.

In comparison with experiment the calculated results on the streaming of neutrons in the entire assembly would tend to be closer to isotropic condition, which differs from prediction based on the anisotropic diffusion coefficients obtained in cell calculations.     

快中子临界装置主安全块传动机构研制

快中子临界装置主安全块传动机构是实现装置安全启动和解体的关键环节。本文介绍了某快中子临界装置机械传动设计、安全保护措施实施、关键技术指标要求和测试结果、安全验证等。各项实验和测试结果表明,本设计安全可靠,满足快中子临界装置安全运行需求。     

Effect of Zirconium-Hydride Layers on Reducing Coolant Void Reactivity of Steam Cooled Fast Breeder Reactors

Abstract

The introduction of zirconium-hydride (ZrH_1.7) layer between the seed and blanket is very effective in reducing the coolant-void reactivity of steam-cooled FBR. The void reactivity reduction is attributed to the rapid increase of neutron absorption and to the decrease of neutron production in the blanket due to the moderation through the layer. The reason is that the neutron multiplication factor decreases, reflecting the neutron balance of the whole core. It is effective even the layer thickness is 1 or 2 cm. Compared with the conventional uniform introduction of this moderator into the seed, the fixed layer concept is more effective in reducing void reactivity and hardly deteriorate the breeding ratio. The negative void reactivity is proved for the non-flat large-sized radial heterogeneous core where the layers are placed between the seeds and blankets. The neutron absorption rate increases, the fast fission rate decreases in the central, inner and radial blankets.     

Effect of Group Collapsing in Perturbation Theory for Sample Worth Analysis

The effect of group collapsing applied to the perturbation theory for sample worth analysis in fast reactor systems is theoretically and numerically examined assuming the validity of the thin sample approximation.

As a result, the calculated worths of scattering predominant materials placed at the center of core are found to be strongly influenced by the group collapsing. The effect on the sample worth when the sample is placed in positions off the core center decreases with increasing distance from the center. It is noted that the reactivity perturbation due to inelastic scattering is also affected significantly by group collapsing especially near the core-blanket interface.

Based on the above observations, it is concluded that the perturbation theory with about 70 energy groups appropriately arranged is necessary to reproduce the experimental values of Na, O and Fe sample reactivity worths with accuracy efficient for ordinary purposes.     

噪声法测量临界装置温度系数实验研究

为了用噪声法测量核电站反应堆的负慢化剂反应性温度系数(MTC),本文在铀溶液临界装置上研究噪声法实验测量反应性温度系数αT,并与周期法测量的αT进行比较。结果表明,两种方法测量的αT趋势基本一致。由于铀溶液临界装置中溶液的反应性温度效应与核电站反应堆的慢化剂温度效应的机理相似,因此本文利用噪声法测量铀溶液临界装置的αT对于核电站反应堆利用噪声法测量MTC有一定的参考价值。