Comparison of thorium-based fuels with different fissile components in existing boiling water reactors

With the aim of investigating the technical feasibility of fuelling a conventional BWR (Boiling Water Reactor) with thorium-based fuel, computer simulations were carried out in a 2D infinite lattice model using CASMO-5. Four different fissile components were each homogenously combined with thorium to form mixed oxide pellets: Uranium enriched to 20% U-235 (LEU), plutonium recovered from spent LWR fuel (RGPu), pure U-233 and a mixture of RGPu and uranium recovered from spent thorium-based fuel. Based on these fuel types, four BWR nuclear fuel assembly designs were formed, using a conventional assembly geometry (GE14-N). The fissile content was chosen to give a total energy release equivalent to that of a UOX fuel bundle reaching a discharge burnup of about 55 MWd/kgHM. The radial distribution of fissile material was optimized to achieve low bundle internal radial power peaking. Reactor physical parameters were computed, and the results were compared to those of reference LEU and MOX bundle designs. It was concluded that a viable thorium-based BWR nuclear fuel assembly design, based on any of the fissile components, can be achieved. Neutronic parameters that are essential for reactor safety, like reactivity coefficients and control rod worths, are in most cases similar to those of LEU and MOX fuel. This is also true for the decay heat produced in irradiated fuel. However when Th is mixed with U-233, the void coefficient (calculated in 2D) can be positive under some conditions. It was concluded that it is very difficult to make savings of natural uranium by mixing LEU (20% U-235) homogenously with thorium and that mixing RGPu with thorium leads to more efficient consumption of Pu compared to MOX fuel.     

Application of Fire-Retardant Treatment to the Wood in Type A Unirradiated Nuclear Fuel Outer Containers

Abstract

Packagings for transporting unirradiated nuclear fuel assemblies in the United States are commonly constructed as rectangular boxes consisting of a metal inner container, a wooden outer container, and cushioning material separating the two. The wood in the outer container is a potential source of fuel for fire. Use of a fireretardant treatment on the wood may reduce or eliminate the damage to nuclear fuel assemblies in some types of accidents involving fire. The applicability of using fire-retardant treatments on the wood of outer containers is addressed. An approximate cost-benefit analysis to determine if fire-retardant treatments are economically justified is presented.     

The Swiss Concept—Container Design and the Transport of L/ILW to the Planned Final Repository

Abstract

The design of the Swiss final repository for short lived L/ILW is based on a Nagra container and package concept. The package handling operations have been restricted to a minimum through the design of special handling tools. e.g. a gripper for 9 drums. The routine transport weight by rail is 56 t, and for non-routine transport 80 t (maximum). The transport of drums and reprocessing waste will be in re-usable steel containers and that of decommissioning waste in dual purpose transport and disposal containers. Most of the containers have standardised dimensions and corner fittings which are based on the ISO dimensions. The modes of transport for the containers and packages within the repository include overhead cranes, an air cushion platform for precise manoeuvering in limited spaces and internal rail transport. The handling and transport will mostly be remotely controlled and monitored by video cameras from the control room. Hence, the exposure times of the operating personnel in the radiation environment is minimised.     

Uncoupling thermal problems of terminal storage of spent nuclear fuel assemblies in bedded salt

Spent nuclear fuel assemblies stored in bedded salt can be modeled with a large array of dimensioned decay heat sources (spent fuel assemblies) in an extended thermal conducting media. Although a finite-difference or finite-element representation of the total storage facility could be established, regions of the repository should be analyzed separately since a model of the total repository would require formidable digital computing capacity. This paper explains the basis for thermally analyzing the total storage facility with separate models for the stored fuel assembly package and the salt medium. In addition, the effect of fuel assembly packaging on the maximum fuel temperature, the related problems of fuel handling prior to storage, and uncoupling of the effects of mine ventilation and conduction in the salt medium are discussed.     

Prospective scenarios of nuclear energy evolution on the XXIst century over the world scale

Different world scenarios of nuclear energy development over the XXIst century are analyzed in this paper, by means of the EDF fuel cycle simulation code for nuclear scenario studies, TIRELIRE - STRATEGIE.Two nuclear demand scenarios are considered, and the performance of different nuclear strategies in satisfying these scenarios is analyzed and discussed, focusing on the maximum deployable capacity and the natural uranium consumption. Both thermal-spectrum systems (Pressurized Water Reactor, PWR, and High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor, HTGR) and different designs of Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) are investigated. A sensitivity analysis on the FBR deployment date, Breeding Gain and fuel cycle options is also presented.     

A nuclear reactor core fuel reload optimization using artificial ant colony connective networks

The core of a nuclear Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) may be reloaded every time the fuel burn-up is such that it is not more possible to maintain the reactor operating at nominal power. The nuclear core fuel reload optimization problem consists in finding a pattern of burned-up and fresh-fuel assemblies that maximize the number of full operational days. This is an NP-Hard problem, meaning that complexity grows exponentially with the number of fuel assemblies in the core. Moreover, the problem is non-linear and its search space is highly discontinuous and multi-modal.     

Multiple water barriers: alternative to assessment of fuel assemblies during accident conditions of transport

Abstract

Packages for the transport of radioactive material have to comply with national and/or international regulations. These regulations are widely based on the requirements set forth by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the 'Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material'. In this framework, packages to transport fuel assemblies (including spent fuel assemblies) have to meet the requirements for packages containing fissile material. In accident conditions of transport, the applicant for the package design approval has to show that the package remains subcritical taking due account of the status of the contents in these conditions. In most cases, considering water ingress in the package, it is not possible to assume that the fissile material included in the fuel assemblies is dispersed in the package with the most severe conceivable distribution regarding criticality. In order to alleviate this difficulty, during the last years, we have provided a significant better knowledge of the conditions of the fuel assemblies to be transported. This was part of the Fuel Integrity Project, whose progress was regularly reported during PATRAM 2001 and PATRAM 2004 Symposia. However, for packages which encounter a large g-load during accident conditions of transport and/or which contain spent fuel assemblies with very high burn-up, it can be difficult to demonstrate that the fuel assemblies are not significantly damaged. Then, to make the criticality assessment considering water inleakage into the flask and a large release of fissile material within its cavity will not allow meeting the subcriticality criteria. For that reason, for our package designs, which use a gas and not water as an internal coolant and which fall into that category, the author has decided to take credit of the possibilities provided by the subparagraph 677 (b) of the Regulations. This paragraph allows not taking into account water in the package, provided that the package exhibits 'multiple high standard water barriers'. The paper describes the author's experience with the implementation of this paragraph. Two different cases are considered: either a double vessel, or a double lid. It will be explained when each of these solutions is implemented, and give examples of package designs with such features, as well as the approvals which were granted for these designs in various countries.     

Second generation waste package design and storage concept for the Yucca Mountain Repository

The reference waste package design and operating mode to be used in the Yucca Mountain Repository is reviewed. An alternate (second generation) operating concept and waste package design is proposed to reduce the risk of localized corrosion of waste packages and to reduce repository costs. The second generation waste package design and storage concept is proposed for implementation after the initial licensing and operation of the reference repository design. Implementation of the second generation concept at Yucca Mountain would follow regulatory processes analogous to those used successfully to extend the design life and uprate the power of commercial light water nuclear reactors in the United States. The second generation concept utilizes the benefits of hot dry storage to minimize the potential for localized corrosion of the waste package by liquid electrolytes. The second generation concept permits major reductions in repository costs by increasing the number of fuel assemblies stored in each waste package, by eliminating the need for titanium drip shields and by fabricating the outer container from corrosion resistant low alloy carbon steel.     

Conceptual Design Study of 180 MWt Small-Sized Reduced-Moderation Water Reactor Core

Conceptual design of a Small-sized Reduced-Moderation Water Reactor (S-RMWR) core, which has the thermal output of 180 MW, the conversion ratio of 1.0 and the void reactivity coefficient of negative value, has been constructed. S-RMWR is a technology demonstration reactor which also conducts material and fuel testing for commercial use of Reduced-Moderation Water Reactor (RMWR) in large-scale power plants. It has a very tight triangular fuel rod lattice and a high coolant void fraction. The RMWR core axially has two short and flat uranium plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) regions with an internal blanket region in between, in order to avoid a positive void reactivity coefficient. The MOX regions are sandwiched between upper and lower blanket regions, in order to increase a conversion ratio.

In this small reactor core, leakage of neutrons is expected to be larger than in a large core. Therefore, a core design concept different from that for a large core is necessary. Core burnup calculations and nuclear and thermal-hydraulic coupled calculations were performed in the present study with SRAC and MOSRA codes. MVP code was also used to obtain control rod worth. Because of its large neutron leakage, keeping the void reactivity coefficient negative is easier for S-RMWR than RMWR. Thus, the heights of MOX region can be taller and the plutonium enrichment can be lower than in RMWR. On the other hand, to achieve the conversion ratio of 1.0, radial blanket and stainless steel reflector assemblies are necessary, whereas they are not needed for RMWR.     

Conceptual Design of Large Boxes for the Packaging of Intermediate and Low Level Radioactive Waste

Abstract

United Kingdom Nirex Limited (Nirex) is developing standard containers for the packaging of radioactive waste for disposal in a deep underground repository. Waste Package Specifications have been produced for each standard package to provide the essential link between waste package design and the design of the deep repository. Previous studies carried out by Nirex identified the dimensions and key features of standard boxes for decommissioning intermediate level waste and for low level waste: the 4 m ILW box, 4 m LLW box·and 2 m LLW box. Nirex has now produced conceptual designs for these boxes.     

LOCA Analysis of Super Fast Reactor

This paper describes loss of coolant accident (LOCA) analyses of the Supercritical-pressure Water-Cooled Fast Reactor (Super Fast Reactor). The features of the Super Fast Reactor are high power density and downward flow cooled fuel channels for the improvement of the economic potential of the Super Fast Reactor with high outlet steam temperature. The LOCA induces large pressure and coolant density change in the core. This change influences the flow distribution among the downward flow parallel channels. It will affect the safety of the Super Fast Reactor. LOCA analysis of Super Fast Reactor is important to understand the safety features of the Super Fast Reactor. Keeping the flow rate in the core is important for the safety of the Super Fast Reactor. In LOCA, it is difficult to maintain an adequate flow rate due to the once-through coolant cycle and the downward flow cooled fuel assemblies. Therefore, the early actuation of the Automatic Depressurization System (ADS) and reduction of the maximum linear heat generation rates of the downward flow seed fuel assemblies and Low-Pressure Core Spray (LPCS) system are necessary for the Super Fast Reactor to cool the core under LOCA. Analysis results show that the Super Fast Reactor can satisfy the safety criteria with these systems.     

Flow-induced plastic collapse of stacked fuel plates

Flow-induced plastic collapse of stacked fuel plate assemblies was first noted in experimental nuclear reactors such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Reactor Assembly and the Engineering Test Reactor (ETR). The ETR assembly is a stack of 19 thin flat rectangular fuel plates separated by narrow channels through which a coolant flows to remove the heat generated by the nuclear fission of the fuel within the plates. The uranium alloyed plates have been noted to buckle laterally and plastically collapse at the system design coolant flow rate of 10.7 m/s, thus restricting the coolant flow through adjacent channels. In this paper a methodology and criterion are developed for predicting the plastic collapse of ETR fuel plates. The criterion is compared to some experimental results and the Miller critical velocity theory.     

CEFR-MOX新燃料组件运输货包临界安全计算

易裂变材料运输过程中重要的安全问题之一是临界安全。在对运输货包进行临界安全分析中必须要同时考虑多货包阵列形式、事故后货包损伤对临界安全影响、最佳水慢化条件等因素。本文采用MCNP 程序针对CEFR-MOX新燃料组件运输货包进行了临界安全计算。计算结果表明:MCNP程序(采用核截面库为ENDF/B-V库)对本问题的次临界限值为0.924 6;正常运输条件下无限个运输货包的最大k_eff值为0.574 4,运输事故条件下无限个运输货包的最大k_eff值为0.659 7。根据临界安全指数的定义,确定CEFR-MOX新燃料组件运输货包的临界安全指数为0。     

Safety requirements for the design of large containers for decommissioning waste

About 50% of the total volume of conditioned radioactive waste from nuclear power generation will finally result from the decommissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs). Higher activated metallic waste from the core region of the reactors would, according to the International Transport Regulations (IAEA), require a type B container. This would, however, bring a significant increase in the costs of the management of such waste. A considerably cheaper solution of this problem can be achieved by separating the protection requirements for type B packaging (i.e. mechanical integrity and tightness). By using industrial packaging (IP) designed for a higher mechanical integrity, it is possible to cope with higher IAEA protection goals for the safe transport of dismantling waste without strictly following the extremely high and also expensive tightness requirements for type B packaging. This is because the radioactivity is bound in the metallic lattice of such activated decommissioning waste.The above mentioned strong IP for decommissioning waste can also be used for other highly activated waste from the core region (e.g. fuel element boxes, control rods or other activated equipment) during the operation of the NPPs.     

数值反应堆堆芯通道级三维热工水力程序CorTAF开发及初步验证

堆芯是核动力系统的核心部件,其完整性是反应堆安全运行的重要前提。传统核反应堆堆芯热工水力分析方法无法满足未来先进核动力系统的高精度模拟需求。本文依托开源CFD平台OpenFOAM,针对压水堆堆芯棒束结构特点建立了冷却剂流动换热模型、燃料棒导热模型和耦合换热模型,开发了一套基于有限体积法的压水堆全堆芯通道级热工水力特性分析程序CorTAF。选取GE3×3、Weiss和PNL2×6燃料组件流动换热实验开展模型验证,计算结果与实验数据基本符合,表明该程序适用于棒束燃料组件内冷却剂流动换热特性预测。本工作对压水堆堆芯安全分析工具开发具有参考和借鉴意义。     

European supercritical water cooled reactor

The High Performance Light Water Reactor (HPLWR), how the European Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor is called, is a pressure vessel type reactor operated with supercritical water at 25 MPa feedwater pressure and 500 °C average core outlet temperature. It is designed and analyzed by a European consortium of 10 partners and 3 active supporters from 8 Euratom member states in the second phase of the HPLWR project. Most emphasis has been laid on a core with a thermal neutron spectrum, consisting of small fuel assemblies in boxes with 40 fuel pins each and a central water box to improve the neutron moderation despite the low coolant density. Peak cladding temperatures of the fuel rods have been minimized by heating up the coolant in three steps with intermediate coolant mixing. The containment design with its safety and residual heat removal systems is based on the latest boiling water reactor concept, but with different passive high pressure coolant injection systems to cause a forced convection through the core. The design concept of the steam cycle is indicating the envisaged efficiency increase to around 44%. Moreover, it provides the constraints to design the components of the balance of the plant. The project is accompanied by numerical studies of heat transfer of supercritical water in fuel assemblies and by material tests of candidate cladding alloys, performed by the consortium and supported by additional tests of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Besides the scientific and technical progress, the HPLWR project turned out to be most successful in training the young generation of nuclear engineers in the technologies of light water reactors. More than 20 bachelor or master theses and more than 10 doctoral theses on HPLWR technologies have been submitted at partner organizations of this consortium since the start of this project.     

Nirex—the Complete Package

Abstract

Through continuous interaction with its customers, Nirex identified the need for a comprehensive range of waste containers, reflecting the variety of wastes and operational undertakings. The current range consists of five standard containers. Standardisation is introduced across all waste packages to enable the safe and efficient operation of future waste management facilities. The practical lessons learned during the development of standard containers are in turn reflected in the container design work that Nirex has undertaken. They are also fed into the advice given to customers during evaluation of waste packaging proposals.     

中国先进研究堆事故源项分析

研究建立了中国先进研究堆（CARR）在事故工况下放射性核素从燃料芯块向环境释放的数学模型。根据CARR初步事故分析结果，对可能导致放射性向外界释放的5种事故工况（小破口失水事故、换热器传热板破裂事故、重水回路管道破裂事故、燃料操作事故、冷却剂流道堵塞事故）以及假想的3盒组件燃料板熔化超设计基准事故进行了源项分析，分别给出了不同事故和释放途径下释放到环境的放射性核素的量，以防止事故情况下公众和环境遭受过量放射性损伤。     

Description of the shuffle design software MARLA

MARLA is the Studsvik software for the automated design and analysis of a fuel shuffle. The software is currently being applied to Boiling Water Reactors, but will eventually be extended to all Light Water Reactor types. MARLA performs all tasks related to planning the fuel shuffle, including the optimisation of the fuel movement schedule, a complete shutdown margin analysis of all intermediate core configurations using the licensing-grade SIMULATE-3 nodal code, and generation of the official Fuel Movement Checklist used by the crane operators during core alterations. Shutdown margin analysis is interactive with the shuffle design and takes place during the planning stage – not after the sequence has been planned. In addition, MARLA provides the means to manage all fuel pools and nuclear components on site, as well as optimise the choice of bundles to be loaded into dry storage casks to open space in the storage pools to meet future storage needs. This paper describes the software in superficial detail.     

Accuracy evaluation of pin exposure calculations in current LWR core design codes

The deregulated utility environment and better utilization of fuel assemblies in nuclear power plants has allowed designers to burn fuel assemblies to maximum allowable exposures. Any uncertainties, associated with the technical approach and numerical methods used to perform pin exposure calculations may cause either peak power exposure to exceed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) exposure limit or lead to excessive conservatism and thus inefficient fuel utilization. In this work, a Monte Carlo based coupled depletion code (MCNP5/ORIGEN-S) is utilized to provide reference solutions in order to assess the accuracy of pin power and pin exposure reconstruction methods in the current commercial and licensed three-dimensional (3D) nodal Light Water Reactor (LWR) core design codes. The developed at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) MCNP5/ORIGEN-S coupled depletion code system was validated using measured data from the PSU TRIGA research reactor critical experiments.