High-fidelity simulations of the run-in process for a pebble-bed reactor

Stewart, Ryan Hunter; Balestra, Paolo; Reger, David; Merzari, Elia; Strydom, Gerhard

doi:10.1016/j.anucene.2023.110193

Title: High-fidelity simulations of the run-in process for a pebble-bed reactor

Journal Article · 20 October 2023 · Annals of Nuclear Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2023.110193 · OSTI ID:2282751

^[1]; Balestra, Paolo ^[1];

^[2]; Merzari, Elia ^[2];

^[1]

Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Pebble-bed reactors (PBRs) rely on a continual feed of fuel pebbles being cycled through the core. As a result, they require a “run-in” period in order to reach an equilibrium state. The run-in period for a PBR is a complex, time-dependent problem that requires the injection of new fuel, different types of fuel, and power increases. This complexity in the run-in makes it important to capture the physical processes in order to generate an accurate representation. The present work details the creation of a high-fidelity Monte Carlo methodology for analyzing the run-in and subsequent approach to equilibrium for PBRs. The methodology entails a Python module wrapped around Serpent so as to perform neutronics calculations, move pebbles, refuel the core, and discharge pebbles, thereby modeling the explicit behavior of the PBR run-in. Further, three run-in simulations (a constant temperature profile, a linear temperature profile, and a constant temperature profile using control rods) were examined in order to identify the key physical phenomena present in the run-in process. Utilizing kugelpy, we found the inclusion of a temperature profile to be important for accurately capturing a discharge burnup (around 141 MWd/kg), a consistent k-eff (around 1.005), and an average pebble power (around 2.5 kW/pebble) that all fall within acceptable limits.

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Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 2282751

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2203992

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU-23-71113-Rev002; TRN: US2408554

Journal Information:: Annals of Nuclear Energy, Vol. 195; ISSN 0306-4549

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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