JMTR後継炉概念検討における照射試料中性子束評価と炉心核特性計算

Neutron flux estimation and neutronics characteristics calculation in post-JMTR conceptual study

大泉 昭人   ; 秋江 拓志  

Oizumi, Akito; Akie, Hiroshi

日本原子力研究開発機構ではJMTR (Japan Materials Testing Reactor)の廃止決定後、JMTRの後継となる新たな照射試験炉(JMTR後継炉)の建設可能性の検討が行われ、最終検討結果報告書が文部科学省に2021年3月30日に提出された。この検討は、(1)炉型の選定、(2)炉心案の検討、(3)核的検討、(4)熱的検討の4段階で進め、最後に(5)検討及び評価を行った。本JAEATechnology報告書はこのうち、(3)核的検討の手順と内容をまとめるものである。核的検討の対象となった炉心である標準炉心とコンパクト炉心について、試料照射位置の中性子束が計算され、要求される照射性能を満足した。標準炉心とコンパクト炉心の予備検討炉心について燃料交換1サイクルの連続運転日数が評価され、現行JMTR炉心と同等の日数を確保できた。さらに、これらの炉心について炉心内出力分布、制御棒反応度価値、反応度係数、燃料要素ごとの燃焼度分布、動特性パラメータなどの核特性を評価した。これらの核特性評価結果はJMTR後継炉最終検討報告書において、現行JMTR炉心における核的制限値と比較することによる核的成立性の確認と、熱的に成立させるために必要な炉心の冷却能力評価に使用された。

After the decision of decommissioning JMTR (Japan Materials Testing Reactor), Japan Atomic Energy Agency investigated the possibility to construct a new irradiation test reactor to succeed JMTR (post-JMTR), and the final report of the investigated result was submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on March 30th 2021. This investigation was carried out in 4 steps of (1) selection of reactor type, (2) reactor core plans studies, (3) neutronic studies, (4) thermal studies, and was finally (5) considered and evaluated. This JAEA-Technology report summarizes the process and the results of (3) neutronic studies. Neutron fluxes were calculated at irradiation sample positions in the investigated cores, the standard core and the compact core, and the calculated fluxes satisfied the required irradiation capability. It was also evaluated the two investigated cores' continuous reactor operation time in days in one refueling cycle, and the results guaranteed an operation days equality with that of existing JMTR. In addition, neutronic characteristics of the cores were estimated, such as power distribution in the core, control rod reactivity worth, reactivity coefficients, distribution of fuel burnup rate of each fuel element, and kinetics parameters. The evaluated neutronic characteristics were used in the post-JMTR final investigation report to confirm the neutronic feasibility by comparing with the neutronic limiting values of existing JMTR, and to estimate the cooling capability to make the core thermally feasible.