Space-dependent kinetics simulation of a gas-cooled fluidized bed nuclear reactor

In this paper we present numerical simulations of a conceptual helium-cooled fluidized bed thermal nuclear reactor. The simulations are performed using the coupled neutronics/multi-phase computational fluid dynamics code finite element transient criticality which is capable of modelling all the relevant non-linear feedback mechanisms. The conceptual reactor consists of an axi-symmetric bed surrounded by graphite moderator inside which 0.1 cm diameter TRISO-coated nuclear fuel particles are fluidized. Detailed spatial/temporal neutron flux and temperature profiles have been obtained providing valuable insight into the power distribution and fluid dynamics of this complex system. The numerical simulations show that the unique mixing ability of the fluidized bed gives rise, as expected, to uniform temperature and particle distribution. This uniformity enhances the heat transfer and therefore the power produced by the reactor.     

球床包层聚变—裂变混合堆热工安全分析

球床包层混合堆与板状元件包层混合堆相比较，前者在核燃料生产和安全方面可能具有更多的优越性。本应用ＴＨＥＲＭＩＸ程序和辅助程序对我国开发的托卡马克堆芯氮气冷却球床包层聚变－裂变合堆的包层进行了热工计算。计算中考虑了不同的燃料球材料及稳态，卸压和断流事故工况。计算结果表明，只要选用合适的燃料球材料和设置适当的控制保护系统，具有快速卸料罐的托卡马克堆芯氦气包层聚变－裂变混合堆的概念设计在安全上的可行的。     

Large eddy simulation in pebble bed gas cooled core reactors

A high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is one of the renewed reactor designs to play a role in nuclear power generation. This reactor design concept is currently under consideration and development worldwide. The combination of coated particle fuel, inert helium gas as coolant and graphite moderated reactor makes possible to operate at high temperature yielding a high efficiency. In this study the simulation of turbulent transport for the gas through the gaps of the spherical fuel elements (fuel pebbles) was performed using the large eddy simulation. This would help in understanding the highly three-dimensional, complex flow phenomena caused by flow curvature in the pebble bed. Resolving all the scales of a turbulent flow is too costly, while employing highly empirical turbulence models to complex problems could give inaccurate simulation results. The large eddy simulation (LES) method would overcome these shortcomings. An attempt to obtain experimental velocity flow patterns using particle image velocimetry technique combined with matched refractive index liquid was pursued.     

Thermofluid-neutronic stability of the rotating, fluidized bed, space-power reactor

A rotating fluidized bed nuclear reactor has the potential of being a vary attractive option for ultra-high power space systems, especially for propulsion. Research has already examined fuel bed expansion due to variations in state variables, propellant flow rate, and rotational speed, and has also considered problems related to thermal stress. This paper describes the results of a coupled thermofluid-neutronic analysis where perturbations in fuel bed height caused by maneuvering changes in operating conditions alter power levels due to varying absorption of neutrons which would otherwise leak from the system, mainly through the nozzle. This first analysis was not a detailed stability analysis. Rather, it utilized simplified neutronic methods, and was intended to provide an order-of-magnitude assessment of the stability of the reactor with the intention to determine whether or not stability might be a “concept killer”.Stability was compared with a fixed-fuel-bed reactor of identical geometry for three different cases comprising a set of small, medium and large sizes/powers from 250 MW to 5 GW. It was found that power fluctuations in the fluidized bed reactor were larger by 100 db or more than expected in a packed bed reactor of the same geometry, but never resulted in power excursions. Margins to unit gain in some cases, however, were sufficiently small that the approximations in this quasi-2-dimensional model may not be sufficiently accurate to preclude significant excursions.     

Dynamics modeling and stability analysis of a fluidized bed nuclear reactor

A theoretical model describing the coupling of neutronics, thermohydraulics and fluidization in a fluidized bed nuclear reactor is presented. The stability of the system is investigated by linearizing and perturbing the system around its equilibrium points and identifying the root loci of the sytem. It is found that within the operational range, the eigenvalues are located in the negative part of the phase plane, implying linear stability. Simulations of transient conditions are performed, viz. a hypothetical startup transient and a quasistatic transient related to noise resulting from stochastic movements of the fuel particles. These simulations show that although the total power of the reactor may reach high values, the fuel temperature is well below safety limits at all times.     

Fluorination of UF4 in a mini-tapered fluidized bed and mathematical modeling

A mini-tapered fluidized bed reactor can be used for fluorination reaction of UF₄ to produce uranium hexafluoride. By adopting the mini-tapered bed the problems associated with fluidization in a cylindrical bed such as entrainment of particles and the limitation of operating velocity can be overcome, consequently the performance of the reactor can be enhanced. Simulation of the reactor was performed employing two-phase models, bubble phase with piston flow and emulsion phase with piston (D.P-P model) or perfectly mixed flow (D.P-M model). The voidage of the emulsion and bubble phases were estimated from the distribution two-phase structure hydrodynamic model. The model predictions have been compared with the results from a pilot-scale experiment. The D.P-P model gives good agreement between computed and empirical results. The effects of various parameters on the reactor performance are discussed using the model.     

Flow visualization in a pebble bed reactor experiment using PIV and refractive index matching techniques

In the advanced gas-cooled pebble bed reactors for nuclear power generation, the fuel is spherical coated particles. The energy transfer phenomenon requires detailed understanding of the flow and temperature fields around the spherical fuel pebbles. Detailed information of the complex flow structure within the bed is needed. Generally, for computing the flow through a packed bed reactor or column, the porous media approach is usually used with lumped parameters for hydrodynamic calculations and heat transfer. While this approach can be reasonable for calculating integral flow quantities, it may not provide all the detailed information of the heat transfer and complex flow structure within the bed. The present experimental study presents the full velocity field using particle image velocimetry technique (PIV) in a conjunction with matched refractive index fluid with the pebbles to achieve optical access. Velocity field measurements are presented delineating the complex flow structure.     

Experimental hydraulic study of a fluidized-bed reactor

This article reports the results of an experimental rig that was developed to study the bed fluidization in a fluidized-bed nuclear reactor model by measuring bed porosity using gamma absorptiometry. This hydraulic study reveals some problems with the fluidized bed control resulting from the original design concept for some reactor components. As a consequence, the limiting screen and control ring will have to be redesigned, making possible the formation of a stable fluidization for fuel/moderator aspect ratio between 0.75 and 1.0.     

石墨粉尘通过高温气冷堆堆芯球床结构的运动行为研究

高温气冷堆在运行过程中产生带有放射性的石墨粉尘,对反应堆的运行安全和环境安全造成一定影响。本文选取二维球床流场,采用离散相模型分析了堆芯球床结构对石墨粉尘颗粒的扩散和沉积的影响。计算结果表明:球床结构能有效阻碍石墨粉尘颗粒的扩散;沉积在球床结构上的石墨粉尘颗粒数目随堆芯内氦气流速的增加而增大,而由于受到颗粒惯性及热泳力的作用其增长趋势逐渐放缓;石墨粉尘颗粒在球床结构上的沉积效率随粒径的逐渐增加呈现"几乎不变-快速增长-缓速增长"的态势。     

Status of the small modular fluidized bed light water nuclear reactor concept

The state of the art of a small modular reactor concept with a suspended core is presented. The reactor design is based on a fluidized bed concept and utilizes pressurized water reactor technology. The fuel is automatically removed from the reactor by gravity under any accident conditions. The reactor demonstrates the characteristics of inherent safety and passive cooling. Here two options for modification to the original design are proposed to increase the stability and thermal efficiency of the reactor. A modified version of the reactor involves the choice of supercritical steam as the coolant to produce a plant thermal efficiency of about 40%. Another option is to modify the shape of the reactor core to produce a non-fluctuating bed and, consequently, guarantee the dynamic stability of the reactor. The mixing of tantalum in the fuel is also proposed as an additional inhibition to the power excursion. The spent fuel pellets may not be considered nuclear waste, since they are of a shape and size that can easily be used as a source of radiation for food irradiation and industrial applications. The reactor can easily operate as a plutonium burner or can operate with a thorium fuel cycle.     

HTGR包覆燃料颗粒碳化硅层细晶化研究

高温气冷堆(HTGR)是能适应未来能源市场的第四代先进核反应堆堆型之一,其固有安全性的第一道保障是使用的TRISO型包覆燃料颗粒。在TRISO型燃料颗粒4层包覆结构中,SiC包覆层是承受包覆燃料颗粒内压和阻挡裂变产物释放的关键层,制备高质量SiC包覆层是核燃料领域中的重大问题和关键技术之一。本文介绍高温气冷堆燃料颗粒的基本结构,详述制备SiC包覆层的流化床-化学气相沉积过程,提出SiC层细晶化这一研究方向,并系统阐述包覆燃料颗粒SiC包覆层细晶化的优势。在细晶化SiC材料制备方法方面,系统分析SiC粉体、陶瓷、薄膜和厚膜材料的研究现状,并结合本实验室前期研究成果提出制备细晶SiC包覆层的可行制备策略。     

Ion beam analysis of materials in the PBMR reactor

South Africa is developing a new type of high temperature nuclear reactor, the so-called pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR). The planned reactor outlet temperature of this gas-cooled reactor is approximately 900 °C. This high temperature places some severe restrictions on materials, which can be used. The name of the reactor is derived from the form of the fuel elements, which are in the form of pebbles, each with a diameter of 60 mm. Each pebble is composed of several thousands of coated fuel particles. The coated particle consists of a nucleus of UO₂ surrounded by several layers of different carbons and SiC. The diameter of the fuel particles is 0.92 mm. A brief review will be given of the advantages of this nuclear reactor, of the materials in the fuel elements and their analysis using ion beam techniques.     

Advances in the conceptual design of a gas-cooled Accelerator Driven System (ADS) transmutation device for a sustainable nuclear energy development

The possibilities of a nuclear energy development are considerably increasing with the world energetic demand increment. However, the management of nuclear waste from conventional nuclear power plants and its inventory minimization are the most important issues that should be addressed. Fast reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) are the main options to reduce the long-lived radioactive waste inventory. Pebble Bed Very High Temperature advanced systems have great perspectives to assume the future nuclear energy development challenges. The conceptual design of a Transmutation Advanced Device for Sustainable Energy Applications (TADSEA) has been done in preliminary studies. The TADSEA is an ADS cooled by helium and moderated by graphite that uses as fuel small amounts of transuranic elements in the form of TRISO particles, confined in 3 cm radius graphite pebbles forming a pebble bed configuration. It would be used for nuclear waste transmutation and energy production. In the paper, the results of a method for calculating the number of whole pebbles fitting in a volume according to its size are showed. From these results, the packing fraction influence on the TADSEAs main work parameters is studied. In addition, a redesign of the previous configuration, according to the established conditions in the preliminary design, i.e. the exit thermal power, is made.Additionally, the heterogeneity of the TRISO particles inside the pebbles is not negligible. In the paper, a study of the power density distribution inside the pebbles using a detailed model of the TRISO particles and a homogeneous composition of the fuel is addressed.     

钍基液态燃料熔盐实验堆氙毒分析

熔盐堆作为第四代核能系统堆型之一,液态燃料形态的特点使其可以实现在线处理和在线添料。为了提高中子经济性可以利用在线处理的氦鼓泡法,将氦气通入反应堆一回路,去除堆芯内的裂变气体(如Xe、Kr)。基于钍基熔盐液态堆(Thorium Molten Salt Reactor-Liquid Fuel1,TMSR-LF1)概念设计,结合熔盐实验堆(Molten Salt Reactor Experiment,MSRE)氙毒模型,分析了鼓泡法去除氙毒中~(135)Xe扩散规律和去除效率对氙毒的影响,并给出了对应的初始有效增殖因子的变化规律。分析结果表明,虽然存在~(135)Xe会大量向石墨扩散的可能性,但是鼓泡法仍然可以有效去除TMSR-LF1堆芯内的~(135)Xe,减小堆芯毒性,提高反应性。     

球床反应堆燃料元件脉冲气力提升动力特性分析

球床反应堆采用球形燃料元件多次通过堆芯的循环运行方式,燃料元件从堆芯底部连续单列排出后依靠管路气动推力逐一被提升至堆芯顶部。本文建立了球形燃料元件“近等径”管路脉冲气力提升运动模型,并在此基础上分析了气源压力、控制阀有效截面积、球外径与管内径的直径比等参数对提升过程燃料元件运行速度的影响。利用测速装置测量了10 MW球床反应实验堆提升器出口燃料元件的运行速度,实验结果接近理论分析结果。近等径球流管路脉冲气力提升运动模型的建立及实验研究为球床反应堆燃料输送系统优化设计及运行调控提供了理论依据。     

10MWt固态燃料熔盐堆控制棒失控抽出事故分析

钍基熔盐堆核能系统项目是中科院先导科技专项之一,其战略性目标是研发第四代熔盐冷却裂变反应堆核能系统。基于10 MWt固态燃料熔盐堆的系统设计,开发了适用于球床式反应堆系统的安全分析软件,并以高温气冷堆为对象对程序计算结果的准确性进行了验证。基于该软件程序,对固态燃料球床堆(Thorium Molten Salt Reactor-Solid Fuel,TMSR-SF)控制棒失控抽出事故进行了分析计算,研究了不同停堆限值及各停堆信号对事故的影响。计算结果表明,超功率停堆限值越高,出口温度限值越大,信号延迟时间越长,反应堆停堆越晚,堆芯功率和燃料最高温度越高。在TMSR-SF控制棒失控抽出事故下,燃料最高温度不超过860°C,远低于1 600°C的熔化温度限值。     

Fort St. Vrain nuclear generating station construction and testing experience

The 330 MW(e) Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Generating Station uses a uranium-thorium fuel cycle; graphite for the moderator, fuel cladding, core structure, and reflector; and helium for the primary coolant. Significant design features are the prestressed concrete reactor pressure vessel, once-through modular steam generators with integral superheaters and reheaters, steam-driven axial flow helium circulators, and hexagonal graphite fuel elements incorporating improved carbon-coated fuel particles.This paper describes: plant features, construction procedures, preliminary operating tests, fuel loading and startup procedures, and oprator training programs.     

Thermal hydraulic calculation of the HTR-10 for the initial and equilibrium core

The thermal hydraulic calculations of the 10 MW high temperature gas-cooled-test module (HTR-10) are among the most important indications to judge the reactor performance under design conditions. The power distribution, the temperature distribution and the flow distribution of the HTR-10 are calculated for initial and equilibrium core in this paper. The temperature distribution includes the temperature parameters of fuel elements, the helium coolant and the main components in the reactor. In the temperature calculation of fuel elements, several uncertain factors are considered carefully, including non-uniform burnup, power distribution deviation, manufacture deviation of fuel elements, graphite balls mixed with fuel balls in the core, calculation deviation of heat transfer and so on. In the flow distribution calculation, the conservative pebble bed core flow value is selected. The results show that the maximum fuel temperature is much lower than the limitation and the flow distribution can meet the cooling requirement in the reactor core.     

Estimation of the Tritium Behavior in the Pebble Type Gas Cooled Reactor for Hydrogen Production

In Korea, a nuclear hydrogen program has been established to develop and demonstrate mass production system for hydrogen generation. The objective of this study is to establish the evaluation procedure for predicting the tritium behavior in the 300 MWth Pebble type gas cooled reactor which is the one of the candidate reactors for nuclear hydrogen development and demonstration plant. The tritium generated by the fission reaction can be leaked to the helium coolant from the coated ceramic particles and fuel elements. The annual total release rate of the tritium is estimated as 0.47% from the fuel kernel to the helium coolant by the numerical method. Tritium attributed by ⁶Li existing as impurities in the reflector can be released to the helium coolant by the diffusion process and the total annual release rate of the tritium is estimated as 5.3% through the reflector to the helium coolant. Based on the Siverts' law, tritium permeation from the primary coolant to the hydrogen production system is also evaluated and the result is calculated as 76?0.23 Bq/g-H₂ with respect to the PRF (Permeation Reduction Factor= 10?1000) in case of the normal operation of the 300 MWth Pebble type reactor.     

包覆颗粒燃料分布随机性的影响研究

高温气冷堆采用弥散在石墨基体中的包覆颗粒燃料。包覆颗粒在燃料球内的离散分布及燃料球在堆芯内的离散分布共同导致了燃料分布的双重不均匀性,其分布还具有随机性,由此可能对反应堆的某些参数造成影响。建立适当燃料颗粒随机分布的几何模型,并用MCNP对模型进行相关计算,并与规则分布模型相比较,分析了分布的随机性对有效增殖因数的影响。结果显示,燃料颗粒随机分布会使全堆有效增殖因数较规则模型的稍大,两种模型偏差的主要原因在于两种颗粒排列方式在空间和角度分布的不同。