Power density effect on feasibility of water cooled thorium breeder reactor

Breeding is made possible by the high value of neutron regeneration ratio η for ²³³U in thermal energy region. The reactor is fueled by ²³³U–Th oxide and it has used the light water as moderator. Some characteristics such as spectrum, η value, criticality, breeding performance and number density are evaluated. Several power densities are evaluated in order to analyze its effect to the breeding performance. The η value of fissile ²³³U obtains higher value than 2 which may satisfy the breeding capability especially for thermal reactor for all investigated MFR. The increasing enrichment and decreasing conversion ratio are more significant for MFR < 0.3. The required enrichment and conversion ratio do not change significantly caused by power density change for very tight lattice cell (MFR < 0.3), however, its strongly depends on the power density change for higher MFR (MFR ≥ 0.3). Breeding condition of all investigated power densities can be achieved for burnup ≥ 30 GW d/t at MFR = 0.3 and it requires about 3.5% of required ²³³U enrichment. Number density of ²³³Pa decreases significantly with decreasing power density which leads the reactor has better breeding performance because lower capture rate of ²³³Pa.     

铅冷快增殖堆物理和热工水力研究

对25MW电功率铅冷快增殖堆堆芯进行了物理和热工水力概算，并将计算结果与相同功率的钠冷快增殖堆的结果进行了分析比较。从初步概算的结果来看，铅冷快增殖堆是一种安全可行的快增殖堆堆型。     

Criticality of the thorium burnup in equilibrium state

The effective neutron multiplication factor (k_eff) as a function of burnup for different volume coolant (CoR) and fuel (FR) to cell ratio is presented. Additionally the Conversion Ratio (CR) of Th-232 to U-233, concentration of U-233, fissile and fission products calculation as a function of burnup are presented. The assembly is a critical reactor which makes volumes of coolant and fuel changes possible. In addition, an analytical model of calculation of k_eff as a function of U-233 and a poison concentration in equilibrium state are presented. One can achieve the criticality of Thorium Breeder Reactor (TBR) for enough high average neutron energy which one can obtain in Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) only. The maximal value of CR and burnup for case of k_eff ≥ 1 achieves 1.4 and 360 GWd/MTU, correspondently. The calculations were done with a MCNPX 2.7 code using F₂Be, Na and Pb coolants.     

Application of homogenization techniques for inflow transport approximation on light water reactor analysis

The transport cross-section based on inflow transport approximation can significantly improve the accuracy of light water reactor （LWR） analysis,especially for the treatment of the anisotropic scattering effect.The previous inflow transport approximation is based on the moderator cross-section and normalized fission source,which is approximated using transport theory.Although the accuracy of reactivity is increased,the P₀ flux moment has a large error in the Monte Carlo code.In this s...     

Calculation of the activity of fission products in the primary coolant of the eastern-type pressurized water reactor (VVER1000-V446) of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant at normal full power operational condition

Calculation of the primary circuit's coolant activation due to fission products (FPs) has been investigated for the eastern-type pressurized water reactor (VVER1000-V446). The reactor has been considered under normal full power operational condition for the first fuel cycle. Determination of the reactor coolant activity is based on time-dependent fission product core inventories. ORIGEN2.1 code has been used to determine the time-dependent fission product core inventories. The fission products activity in the primary coolant is calculated using a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) which governs the FPs concentration in the primary coolant. Results for 87 FPs have been calculated. The results of these calculations have been found to agree well with the corresponding available values found in the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).     

Current status and innovative improvement of small commercial reactor in China

The current status and developing plan of China’s nuclear energy are introduced, and features of the small commercial reactor, CNP-300, are described. The ongoing improvements including power uprate, life extension, core management, and integration of passive safety systems are generally presented with the efforts to enhance the safety and economy.     

内陆厂址压水堆核电厂液态流出物复用研究

实现液态流出物在核电厂的复用,进而减少液态流出物向环境的排放,不仅对于保护水资源环境具有重要意义,而且对于满足能源发展规划和厂址选址的主要安全要求、但受环境水体条件限制液态流出物排放的内陆核电厂址,可能将是一种必须的选择。本文基于压水堆核电厂设计及运行经验,研究液态流出物复用的可行性。结果表明,液态流出物中的洗衣废水在热洗衣房循环利用,地面排水作为乏燃料水池补水复用于反应堆换料水池和乏燃料水池冷却和处理系统具备可行性;结合压水堆核电厂实际运行经验,复用后双机组每年可减少液态流出物向环境排放达8 400 m³,占液态流出物总量的51.8%;除氚、C-14外核素排放减少量4.8×10⁵ Bq,占液态流出物除氚、C-14外核素总量的36.9 %。     

Preliminary study of the tight lattice pressured heavy water reactor loaded with Pu／U and Th／U mixed fuels

To improve nuclear fuel utilization efficiency and prolong fuel cycle burn-up,a tight ptich lattice pressured heavy water reactor was investigated as an alternative of next generation of power reactors.It is shown that the high conversion ratio and negative coolant void reactivity coefficient are challenges in the reactor core physics designs.Various techniques were proposed to solve these problems.In this work.a tight pitch lattice and mixed fuel assemblies pressured heavy water reactor concept was investigated.BY utilizing numerical simulation technique,it is demonstrated that reactor core mixed with Pu/U and Th/U assemblies can achieve high conversion ratio(0.98) ,long burn-up(60GWD/t)and negative void reactivity coefficients.     

Effect of Pu-rich agglomerates in MOX fuel on reactivity analysis of light water reactor MOX core physics experiments

The effect of Pu-rich agglomerates in U-Pu mixed oxide (MOX) on the reactivity analysis of light water reactor MOX core physics experiments was studied with the continuous-energy Monte Carlo calculation code MVP II. First, the following three different models were compared in the analysis of a representative unit cell of a MOX core tested at the KRITZ reactor: a Lattice model where Pu-rich agglomerates were assumed to exist in a fixed pitch, a statistical geometry (STG) model of MVP II, and a Random model where the random distribution of Pu-rich agglomerates was directly modeled. Since the three models gave comparable results, the STG model was used in parametric calculations to systematically understand the reactivity effect depending on the characteristics of Pu-rich agglomerates. In addition, the selected unit cells composing the MOX cores and one representing MOX core tested at the EOLE criticality facility were analyzed with the measured characteristics of Pu-rich agglomerates in MOX fuel. Consequently, the reactivity differences between the calculations assuming the homogeneous Pu distributions and those considering Pu-rich agglomerates were less than 0.0005 Δk/k/k', indicating that the effect of Pu-rich agglomerates was small on the reactivity analysis of the MOX cores tested in the EOLE facility.     

压水堆核电厂流出物中14C的排放限值探讨

研究分析了压水堆核电厂中¹⁴C的产生途径与排放量,调研了美国和欧洲运行压水堆核电厂气态流出物和液态流出物中¹⁴C的排放水平,分析了我国国家标准《核动力厂环境辐射防护规定》(GB 6249—2011)对美国和欧洲运行压水堆核电厂流出物排放¹⁴C的包络性,同时分析了多堆厂址、AP1000和EPR等新堆型电厂的运行需求对目前标准规定的¹⁴C排放限值管理带来的挑战,提出了¹⁴C的减排和资源化利用建议。     

事故条件下模块化小堆与同厂址大堆的辐射影响对比分析

本文针对海南小堆的实际厂址环境特征,根据机组初步的二级PSA源项,利用更实际的CALPUFF烟团模式开展事故条件下小堆和大堆对场外公众的辐射影响分析,比较不同事故下对周边居民和工作人员的受照特征。按照针对小堆的剂量准则,确定各种天气条件下满足该准则的距离,有助于更深入地认识小堆的事故特征及应急计划区划分等问题,为相关工程实践和应急监管工作提供参考。     

压水堆平衡堆芯钍铀燃料循环初步研究

建立WIMSD5-SN2-CYCLE3D和CASMO3-CYCLE3D物理分析系统作为钍铀燃料循环研究工具.以大亚湾第1机组压水堆为参考堆型,不改变反应堆栅元、组件和堆芯的结构与几何尺寸,设计出含36根钍棒、4.2#5U富集度的新型含钍组件,并对含钍组件和3.2%富集度的铀组件进行中子学计算和分析.模拟并分析了大亚湾压水堆12个月换料从初始循环到铀钚平衡循环的换料过程.再从平衡铀堆芯出发,逐步加入含钍组件代替铀组件,对铀钚平衡循环到钍铀平衡循环的换料过程进行了模拟与分析.计算结果表明:钍铀平衡循环比铀钚平衡循环每天节省裂变核素质量约18.4%,并减少了长寿命放射性核废料的产生.不利因素是使得循环长度减少90EFPD,缩短了换料周期,增加运行费用,并给燃料管理、安全控制以及乏燃料的处理带来困难.建议提高组件的235U富集度,在压水堆上进行钍利用研究.     

膨润土与水相互作用初步研究

为研究膨润土与水作用后对高放废物地质处置安全性产生的影响,将不同蒙脱石含量的临安钠基膨润土和兴和钙基膨润土置于水中长期浸泡3 000 h。结果表明:二种膨润土的膨胀指数皆随着蒙脱石含量的增加而增加,且最大膨胀指数与蒙脱石含量间的对数值呈线性关系;膨胀平衡后上清液中一价阳离子浓度大于二价阳离子的浓度,且随着蒙脱石含量的增加而增加,数据表明Na⁺浓度与膨润土中蒙脱石含量的对数值呈线性关系;上清液烘干后残留物质量随蒙脱石含量增加而增加,XRD图谱表明其中已存在蒙脱石。这些结果可作为进一步开展地质处置中缓冲材料与地下水相互作用的研究基础。     

Nonlinear analysis of nuclear coupled density wave instability in time domain for a boiling water reactor core undergoing core-wide and regional modes of oscillations

The objective of the paper is to develop a nuclear coupled thermal-hydraulic model in order to simulate core-wide (in-phase) and regional (out-of-phase) stability analysis in time domain within the limitation of desktop research facility for a boiling water reactor subjected to operational transients. The integrated numerical tool, which is a combination of thermal-hydraulic, neutronic and fuel heat conduction models, is used to analyze a complete boiling water reactor core taking into account the strong nonlinear coupling between the core neutron dynamics and primary circuit thermal-hydraulics via the void-temperature reactivity feedback effects. The integrated model is validated against standard benchmark and published results. Finally, the model is used for various parametric studies and a number of numerical simulations are carried out to investigate core-wide and regional instabilities of the boiling water reactor core with and without the neutronic feedback effects. Results show that the inclusion of neutronic feedback effects has an adverse effect on boiling water reactor core by augmenting the instability at lower power for same inlet subcooling during core-wide mode of oscillations, whereas the instability is being suppressed during regional mode of oscillations in presence of the neutronic feedback. Dominance of core-wide instability over regional mode of oscillations is established for the present case of simulations which indicates that the preclusion of the former will automatically prevent the latter at the existing working condition.     

Comparison of hydrogen generation for TVSM and TVSA fuel assemblies for water water energy reactor (VVER)-1000

This paper presents the results received during investigation of hydrogen generation for both types fuel assemblies—the old modernistic type of fuel assemblies (TVSM) and recently installed new one alternative type of fuel assemblies (TVSA) in case of severe accident. There are some differences between both types FAs. They have different geometry as well as different burnable poisons. To investigate behavior of new fuel assemblies during the severe conditions it have been performed comparison of fuel behavior of old type TVSM fuel assembly to new one TVSA.To perform this investigation it has been used MELCOR “input model” for Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) VVER 1000. The model was developed by Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS) for investigation of severe accident scenarios and Probabilistic Safety Analyses (PSA) level 2. The model provides a significant analytical capability for the Bulgarian technical specialists, working in the field of the NPP safety, for analysis of core and containment damaged states and the estimation of radionuclides release outside fuel cladding.It was accepted criteria for vessel integrity about hydrogen concentration to be 8%. This criterion was based on the decision of RSK (Germany commission for reactor safety).Generally based on the received results it was made conclusion that using both types of fuel assemblies it was not disturbance safety conditions of NPP.     

Analysis of different containment models for IRIS small break LOCA, using GOTHIC and RELAP5 codes

Advanced nuclear water reactors rely on containment behaviour in realization of some of their passive safety functions. Steam condensation on containment walls, where non-condensable gas effects are significant, is an important feature of the new passive containment concepts, like the AP600/1000 ones.In this work the international reactor innovative and secure (IRIS) was taken as reference, and the relevant condensation phenomena involved within its containment were investigated with different computational tools. In particular, IRIS containment response to a small break LOCA (SBLOCA) was calculated with GOTHIC and RELAP5 codes. A simplified model of IRIS containment drywell was implemented with RELAP5 according to a sliced approach, based on the two-pipe-with-junction concept, while it was addressed with GOTHIC using several modelling options, regarding both heat transfer correlations and volume and thermal structure nodalization. The influence on containment behaviour prediction was investigated in terms of drywell temperature and pressure response, heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and steam volume fraction distribution, and internal recirculating mass flow rate. The objective of the paper is to preliminarily compare the capability of the two codes in modelling of the same postulated accident, thus to check the results obtained with RELAP5, when applied in a situation not covered by its validation matrix (comprising SBLOCA and to some extent LBLOCA transients, but not explicitly the modelling of large dry containment volumes).The option to include or not droplets in fluid mass flow discharged to the containment was the most influencing parameter for GOTHIC simulations. Despite some drawbacks, due, e.g. to a marked overestimation of internal natural recirculation, RELAP5 confirmed its capability to satisfactorily model the basic processes in IRIS containment following SBLOCA.     

Quantities of I-131 and Cs-137 in accumulated water in the basements of reactor buildings in process of core cooling at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants accident and its influence on late phase source terms

During the process of core cooling at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants accident, large amount of contaminated water was accumulated in the basements of the reactor buildings at Units 1–4. The present study estimated the quantities of I-131 and Cs-137 in the water as of late March based on the press-opened data. The estimated ratios of I-131 and Cs-137 quantities to the core inventories are 0.51%, 0.85% at Unit 1, 74%, 38% at Unit 2 and 26%, 18% at Unit 3, respectively. According to the Henry's law, certain fraction of iodine in water could be released to atmosphere due to gas–liquid partition and contribute to increase in the release to environment. A lot of evaluations for I-131 release have been performed so far by the MELCOR calculation or the SPEEDI reverse estimation. The SPEEDI reverse predicted significant release until 26 March, while no prediction in MELCOR after 17 March. The present study showed that iodine release from accumulated water may explain the release between 17 and 26 March. This strongly suggests a need for improvement of current MELCOR approach which treats the release only from containment breaks for several days after the core melt.     

Assessment of thermal aging embrittlement in a cast stainless steel valve and its effect on the structural integrity

This paper analyzes the thermal aging embrittlement occurred in a cast stainless steel valve, which is part of the reactor water clean-up (RWCU) system of a Spanish boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant. The aim is to estimate the current and future state of the material and the corresponding structural integrity of the valve. Given that there is no data available for the experimental characterization of the material, the evolution of the mechanical properties (fracture toughness, yield stress, flow stress and Ramberg-Osgood parameters) has been estimated using the ANL procedure.With the obtained estimations, the critical crack size has been calculated using the European procedure FITNET FFS and the ASME Code.This analysis considers not only the evolution of the mechanical properties up to now but also its future evolution in case there is a life extension of the plant until year 2029.