液态熔盐堆运行安全特性初步研究

液态燃料反应堆与固态燃料反应堆相比,原理上有较大不同。液态熔盐堆中由于燃料流动带走缓发中子先驱核在堆外衰变导致堆芯反应性降低,且裂变产物在堆外回路中衰变也会引起一回路发热。本文使用熔盐堆中子动力学程序Cinsf1D探讨2 MW熔盐堆的临界动力学特性和安全特性,研究零功率临界下不同熔盐流速启泵和停泵导致的缓发中子先驱核流失所需改变的控制棒棒位。同时还计算了2 MW恒定功率情况下稳态运行及降低流速时一回路温度分布,并模拟了2 MW额定功率下停泵事件。停泵后由于缓发中子损失减少反应堆功率先缓慢增加,然后迅速降低到接近余热水平。停泵后堆芯温度缓慢增加后稳定在安全值以内,说明熔盐堆具有本征安全性。     

熔盐堆物理热工耦合程序开发及验证分析

熔盐堆(Molten Salt Reactor,MSR)是第四代反应堆6种堆型中唯一的液态燃料反应堆,与固态燃料-液体冷却剂反应堆相比,原理上有较大不同。在熔盐堆中,流动的熔盐既是燃料又是冷却剂与慢化剂,中子物理学与热工水力学相互耦合;由于熔盐的流动性,缓发中子先驱核会随燃料流至堆芯外衰变,造成缓发中子的丢失,导致堆芯反应性降低。正是由于熔盐堆的这些新特性,造成熔盐堆内缓发中子先驱核、温度等参数变化与固态燃料反应堆有所不同,需要研究熔盐堆在各种工况下的相关物理参数变化。本文主要工作是考虑缓发中子先驱核的流动性对熔盐堆的影响,研究适用于熔盐堆的二维圆柱几何时空中子动力学程序及与之耦合的热工水力学程序;利用该程序对熔盐堆中子物理学和热工水力学进行耦合计算,验证熔盐堆相关实验数据;并且计算了熔盐堆无保护启停泵及堆芯入口温度过冷过热工况,用于分析熔盐堆的安全特性。计算结果表明,程序能够对熔盐反应堆实验(Molten Salt Reactor Experiment,MSRE)的相关实验数据进行较好的模拟计算,并且验证了熔盐堆的固有安全性。     

熔盐堆单参数扰动瞬态特性分析

熔盐堆（MSR）作为一种新型的反应堆,其热工水力特性与其他堆型有很大差异,扰动瞬态分析有助于从根本上了解其安全特性和运行状态。为了研究MSR的运行瞬态特性,本研究以液态燃料MSR为研究对象,利用经过修改的RELAP5/ MOD4.0程序进行了稳态运行工况下的扰动瞬态分析。干扰变量包括反应性引入、一回路熔盐质量流量、二回路质量流量、空气散热器质量流量、空气散热器入口空气温度。分析了主要运行参数,如功率、堆芯进出口温度、二回路进出口温度、特征时间等。结果表明MSR在各种扰动瞬态下的最终状态都趋于稳定,而不存在严重的瞬态变化,这是对其固有稳定性特性的直观表征。根据功率和温度等变量在扰动下的变化,提出了功率和不同回路温度的控制方法。      

基于MOREL2.0对石墨慢化熔盐堆的稳态分析

熔盐堆采用熔融的氟化盐混合物作为燃料和堆芯的冷却剂,由于燃料的流动,熔盐堆在中子学和热工水力学方面与传统固体燃料反应堆有着较大区别。本文基于熔盐堆分析程序MOREL2.0对钍基熔盐堆（TMSR）初步堆芯设计方案进行了稳态计算分析,结果表明：燃料流动对缓发中子先驱核的分布影响较大,并导致169 pcm反应性损失;随燃料在外部回路中滞留时间的增加,k_eff降低,80 s后趋于平稳;TMSR具有负的入口燃料温度系数,具有固有安全性。     

Transient behavior of the sodium–potassium alloy heat pipe in passive residual heat removal system of molten salt reactor

High temperature heat pipes, as highly-effective heat transfer elements, have been extensively employed in thermal management for their remarkable advantages in conductivity, isothermality and self-actuating. It is of significance to apply heat pipes to new concept passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) of molten salt reactor (MSR). In this paper, the new concept PRHRS of MSR using sodium–potassium alloy (NaK) heat pipes is proposed in detail, and then the transient behavior of high temperature NaK heat pipe is numerically investigated using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in the case of MSR accident. The two-dimensional transient conduction model for the heat pipe wall and wick structure is coupled with the one-dimensional quasi-steady model for the vapor flow when vaporization and condensation occur at the liquid–vapor interface. The governing equations coupled with boundary conditions are solved by FORTRAN code to obtain the distributions of the temperature, velocity and pressure for the heat pipe transient operation. Numerical results indicated that high temperature NaK heat pipe had a good operating performance and removed the residual heat of fuel salt significantly for the accident of MSR.     

New breeding gain definitions and their application to the optimization of a molten salt reactor design

The molten salt reactor (MSR) is an attractive breeder reactor. A graphite-moderated MSR can reach breeding because of the online salt processing and refueling. These features give difficulties when the breeding gain (BG) of the MSR is evaluated. The inventory of the core and external stockpiles have to be treated separately in order to quantify the breeding performance of the reactor. In this paper, an improved BG definition is given and it is compared with definitions used earlier. The improved definition was used in an optimization study of the graphite – salt lattice of the core. The aim of the optimization is a passively safe, self-breeder reactor. The fuel channel diameter, graphite volume and thorium concentration were varied while the temperature feedback coefficient of the core, BG – as defined in the paper – and the lifetime of the graphite were calculated. There is a small range of lattices which provide both negative temperature feedback and breeding. Furthermore, breeding is possible only at low power densities in case of the salt processing efficiencies set in this study. In this range of power the lifetime of the graphite is between 12 and 20 years.     

Study on inherent neutron sources in MSR

The molten salt reactor(MSR) has received much recent attention. The presence of beryllium and the mixing of actinides with light nuclei in the fuel salt result in a relatively strong neutron source that can affect the surveillance at subcritical and transient characteristics during operation. In this study, we predict the inherent neutron sources based on a MSR model. The calculation shows that in the fresh core, the inherent neutron sources are mainly from alpha-induced neutrons. After power operation, the inherent neutron sources become remarkably stronger due to photoneutrons. Although being an insignificant part in the total neutron population during operation, the inherent neutron sources can be used as the installed neutron source after shutdown. If the MSR has continuously operated at full power(2 MWt) for 10 days,then there would be no need for the installed source within80 days after shutdown. After operating constantly for500 days, the installed neutron source can be eliminated within 2 years after shutdown.     

基于TREND程序的石墨通道液态熔盐堆无保护反应性引入事故初步分析

采用自编系统分析程序TREND,基于液态点堆动力学模型,针对10 MW石墨通道液态熔盐堆的设计,研究分析不同反应性在阶跃引入和线性引入情况下10 MW石墨通道液态熔盐堆堆芯功率、石墨温度和堆芯出口熔盐温度的瞬态变化。结果表明,阶跃引入低于570pcm（1pcm=10?5）反应性,堆系统能在无保护的情况下安全运行;当单根控制棒失提引入约800pcm时,反应性引入速率不超过8pcm/s,反应堆能够利用自身的温度、功率负反馈特性有效地控制功率峰值和降低堆芯出口温度,保证反应堆在无保护情况下安全运行。因此,液态熔盐堆具有良好的固有安全性。      

DYN1D-MSR dynamics code for molten salt reactors

This paper reports about the DYN1D-MSR code development and dynamics studies of the molten salt reactors (MSR) – one of the ‘Generation IV International Forum’ concepts. In this forum the graphite-moderated channel type MSR based on the previous Oak Ridge National Laboratory research is considered.The liquid molten salt serves as a fuel and coolant, simultaneously and causes two physical peculiarities: the fission energy is released predominantly directly into the coolant and the delayed neutrons precursors are drifted by the fuel flow. The drift causes the spread of delayed neutrons distribution to the non-core parts of primary circuit and it can lead to a reactivity loss or gain in the case of fuel flow acceleration or deceleration, respectively. Therefore, specific 3D tool based on in house code DYN3D was developed in FZR. The code DYN3D-MSR is based on the solution of two-group neutron diffusion equation by the help of a nodal expansion method and it includes models of delayed neutrons drift and specific MSR heat release distribution.In this paper the development and verification of 1D version DYN1D-MSR of the code is described. The code has been validated with the experimental data gained from the molten salt reactor experiment performed in the Oak Ridge and after the validation it was applied to several typical transients (overcooling of fuel at the core inlet, reactivity insertion, and the fuel pump trip).     

基于SCALE的熔盐堆添料与后处理系统分析程序开发及验证

在线添料及在线去除中子毒物是熔盐堆区别于其他固体燃料反应堆的主要特征之一,能够实现较高的燃耗深度和燃料利用率。然而,现有的反应堆物理计算分析软件SCALE不能直接模拟熔盐堆的燃耗计算。因此,本文耦合SCALE中的截面处理模块、临界计算模块以及燃耗计算模块,开发了一套适用于多流体熔盐堆的添料与后处理系统分析程序MSR-RRS,实现熔盐堆的在线添料、裂变产物在线处理或离线批次处理等模拟功能。基于MSR-RRS对现有的单流熔盐增殖堆和双流熔盐快堆的燃耗性能进行了验证。结果表明,MSR-RRS计算结果与基准模型结果符合较好。MSR-RRS适用于多种堆型、多种燃料循环运行模式。     

石墨慢化通道式熔盐堆有效缓发中子份额计算方法研究

有效缓发中子份额(βeff)是研究反应堆动力学特性的关键参数。在液态燃料熔盐堆(MSR)中,燃料流动引起缓发中子先驱核(DNP)在堆内的再分布,并使部分DNP在堆外回路衰变,从而导致βeff的计算方法与固态燃料反应堆不同。为评估石墨慢化通道式熔盐堆内燃料流动引起的反应性损失,研究缓发中子随燃料的流动行为,同时为堆设计和安全分析提供依据,分别基于解析方法和数值方法推导了计算βeff的数学模型,计算了熔盐实验堆(MSRE)在额定工况下的DNP损失份额和堆内DNP浓度分布,并分析了燃料在堆外流动时间和入口流量对βeff的影响。结果表明：两种方法均可对DNP行为提供合理描述;固定燃料在堆外流动时间,βeff随入口流量的增加而减小;固定入口流量,βeff随燃料在堆外流动时间的增加而减小,80 s后趋于稳定。     

石墨慢化通道式熔盐堆的稳态热工水力计算模型

针对石墨慢化通道式熔盐堆的堆芯结构,基于COMSOL Multiphysics程序和MATLAB程序建立了堆芯稳态热工水力学计算模型。该模型对堆芯内固体区域的温度分布采用三维热传导方程进行模拟,对通道内熔盐温度采用一维单相流体模型进行计算。固体区域与熔盐通过熔盐通道壁面的对流换热边界建立热耦合。该模型基于平行通道压力损失相等的原则,分配堆芯内各熔盐通道的流量。通过对比RELAP5程序的计算结果,验证了模型对温度和流量分配计算的正确性。针对2 MWt 液态燃料熔盐堆的一种概念设计,分析了堆芯内三维温度分布和通道间流量分配。该模型可精确计算通道式熔盐堆堆芯内稳态温度分布和流量分配,对堆芯的热工水力学设计具有重要意义。     

一体化小型氟盐冷却高温堆瞬态特性分析

根据下一代核能系统的发展目标,提出了采用自然循环的一体化小型氟盐冷却高温堆的概念。利用修改后的RELAR5-MS系统分析程序,建立了一体化小型氟盐冷却高温堆模型,并得到其稳态特性参数。在此基础上,对其在满功率运行状态下的反应性引入事故和失热阱事故进行了分析。分析计算表明,在反应性事故工况下,由于自然循环的存在,堆芯冷却剂流量随着堆芯温度发生动态变化,最终达到新的稳态,燃料棒和冷却剂温度均处于安全限值范围内。在失热阱事故下,反应堆负反馈的特性使得堆芯功率逐渐降低并实现自动停堆,即使不考虑余热排出系统的作用,燃料组件和冷却剂温度上升缓慢,在140 h内,燃料棒和冷却剂温度均处于全限值范围内。结果表明,一回路采用自然循环冷却的一体化小型氟盐冷却高温堆具有良好的固有安全性。     

DRAGON&DONJON程序在MSR中堆芯燃耗计算的适用性

DRAGONDONJON组件-堆芯"两步法"程序通过合理简化,理论可适用于任何堆芯与工况。使用蒙特卡罗方法 RMC(Reactor Monte Carlo code)、MCNP(Monte Carlo Neutron Particle transport code)程序验证DRADON程序是否能够承担快/热谱型熔盐堆(Molten Salt Reactor,MSR)焚烧TRU、Th U燃料燃耗计算。选出熔盐增殖堆(Molten Salt Breeder Reactor,MSBR)与熔盐锕系元素再循环和嬗变堆(Molten Salt Advanced Reactor Transmuter,MOSART)堆型进行比较,同时分别利用RMC程序验证DRAGON程序组件燃耗计算的准确性,利用MCNP程序验证DRAGON程序组件均匀化方法以及DONJON程序截面调用和程序全堆扩散的准确性。结果表明,组件燃耗计算中,TRU和Th U燃料满足燃耗计算要求;堆芯临界计算中,快/热谱堆芯计算误差均小于0.001。证明DRADON程序可以胜任快、热谱型MSR焚烧TRU、Th U燃料的物理计算任务。     

熔盐反应堆——放射化学创新发展的新源泉

本文从放射化学视角简略介绍了熔盐堆及其在钍铀燃料循环应用中的优势,然后叙述了与熔盐堆相关的放射化学研究的三个方向:即燃料供给、辐照后燃料的再处理以及熔盐堆运行的工艺监测和核素诊断。在燃料的再处理中推荐了一种类似文献报道的AIROX流程的干法后处理的新技术路线,指出其在熔盐堆在线燃料处理中的优点和重要价值。由于熔盐堆的运行中存在大量的化学与放射化学问题,因此熔盐堆堪比"化学堆",放射化学监测和诊断对于熔盐堆的运行有极其重要的意义。由此可见,熔盐堆研发促使形成了放射化学的一门新的分支学科——以监测和诊断为目标的熔盐反应堆化学。最后给出了放射化学工作者在熔盐堆发展过程中应该注意的若干建议。     

氢化锆慢化熔盐堆钍铀转换性能初步分析

中子能谱对钍基燃料在熔盐堆中的利用效率及温度反馈系数等安全问题有较大影响,所以对熔盐堆新型慢化剂的研究具有重要意义。本工作基于SCALE6计算程序,对不同几何栅元结构的氢化锆栅元组件在熔盐堆的物理性能进行了研究,分别计算了中子能谱、钍铀转换比、~(233)U浓度、总温度反馈系数以及燃耗等中子物理参量。结果表明,减小六边形栅元对边距或者增加熔盐占栅元体积比可以增加钍铀转换比和改善温度反应性系数;当加入的氢化锆慢化剂体积份额为0.1时就可以将熔盐堆~(233)U初始浓度降低到2.5×10~(-2)以内;氢化锆慢化熔盐堆在超热谱条件下,其~(233)U初装载量和超铀核素产量较小,同时堆芯较为紧凑。     

Modeling of void, fast power and graphite temperature reactivity coefficients measurements for the validation of RELAP5-3D RBMK-1500 reactor model

This paper deals with the modeling of RBMK-1500 specific transients taking place at Ignalina NPP: measurements of void and fast power reactivity coefficients, as well as change of graphite cooling conditions transient. The simulation of these transients was performed using RELAP5-3D code model of RBMK-1500 reactor. At the Ignalina NPP void and fast power reactivity coefficients are measured on a regular basis and based on the obtained experimental results the actual values of these reactivity coefficients are determined. Graphite temperature reactivity coefficient at the plant is determined by changing graphite cooling conditions in the reactor cavity. This type of transient is unique and important from the point of view of model validation for the gap between fuel channel and the graphite bricks. The measurement results, obtained during this transient, enabled to determine the thermal conductivity coefficient for this gap and to validate the graphite temperature reactivity feedback model. The performed validation of RELAP5-3D model of Ignalina NPP RBMK-1500 reactor allowed to improve the model, which in the future would be used for the safety substantiation calculations of RBMK-1500 reactors.     

Transient tests on blower trip and rod removal at the HTR-10

Safety demonstration tests on the 10 MW high temperature gas-cooled reactor test module (HTR-10) were conducted to verify the inherent safety features of MHTGRs and to obtain the core and primary cooling system transient data for validation of safety analysis codes.Two simulated anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) tests, lose of forced cooling by trip of the helium blower and reactivity insertion via control rod withdrawal were performed. This paper describes the tests with detailed test method, condition and results.Calculated results show that the strongly negative temperature coefficient causes reactor power to closely follow heat removal levels. Maximum fuel temperature changes are limited by the large core heat capacity to below 1230 °C during two tests.The test of tripping the helium circulator ATWS test was conducted on October 15, 2003. Although none of 10 control rods was moved, the reactor power immediately decreased due to the negative temperature coefficient. After about 50 min, the reactor became criticality again. Finally, the reactor power went to a stable level with about 200 kW.The test of reactivity insertion ATWS test was conducted two times. Following the control rod withdrawal, the reactor power increased rapidly, the maximum power level reached to 5037 and 7230 kW from the initial power of 3000 kW in accordance with reactivity insertion of $ 0.136 and 0.689, respectively. After the reactivity introduced was compensated by means of the strong negative reactivity feedback effect, the reactor went to subcritical and the power decreased.     

Steady thermal hydraulic analysis for a molten salt reactor

The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) can meet the demand of transmutation and breeding. In this study, theoretical calculation of steady thermal hydraulic characteristics of a graphite-moderated channel type MSR is conducted. The DRAGON code is adopted to calculate the axial and radial power factor firstly. The flow and heat transfer model in the fuel salt and graphite are developed on basis of the fundamental mass, momentum and energy equations. The results show the detailed flow distribution in the core, and the temperature profiles of the fuel salt, inner and outer wall in the nine typical elements along the axial flow direction are also obtained.     

Development of a MCNP5 and ORIGEN2 based burnup code for molten salt reactor

The Molten Salt Reactor(MSR) is one of the six advanced reactor nuclear energy systems for further research and development selected by Generation IV International Forum(GIF),which is distinguished by its core in which the fuel is dissolved in molten fluoride salt.Because fuel flow in the primary loop,the depletion of MSR is different from that of solid-fuel reactors.In this paper,an MCNP5 and ORIGEN2 Coupled Burnup(MOCBurn) code for MSR is developed under the MATLAB platform.Some new methods and novel arrangements are used to make it suitable for fuel flow in the MSR.To consider the fuel convection and diffusion in the primary loop of MSR,fuel mixing calculation is carried out after each burnup time step.Modeling function for geometry with repeat structures is implicated for reactor analysis with complex structures.Calculation for a high-burnup reactor pin cell benchmark is performed using the MOCBurn code.Results of depletion study show that the MOCBurn code is suitable for the traditional solid-fuel reactors.A preliminary study of the fuel mixture effect in MSR is also carried out.