Investigation of the core neutronics analysis conditions for evaluation of burn-up nuclear characteristics of the next-generation fast reactors

Takino, Kazuo; Oki, Shigeo

JAEA-Data/Code 2023-003, 26 Pages, 2023/05

JAEA-Data-Code-2023-003.pdf:1.66MB

Since next-generation fast reactors aim to achieve a higher core discharge burn-up than conventional reactors do, core neutronics design methods must be refined. Therefore, a suitable analysis condition is required for the analysis of burn-up nuclear characteristics to accomplish sufficient estimation accuracy while maintaining a low computational cost. We investigated the effect of the analysis conditions on the accuracy of estimation of the burn-up nuclear characteristics of next-generation fast reactors in terms of neutron energy groups, neutron transport theory, and spatial mesh. This study treated the following burn-up nuclear characteristics: criticality, burn-up reactivity, control rod worth, breeding ratio, assembly-wise power distribution, maximum linear heat rate, sodium void reactivity, and Doppler coefficient for the equilibrium operation cycle. As a result, it was found that the following conditions were the most suitable: 18-energy-group structure, 6 spatial meshes per assembly with diffusion approximation. Additionally, these conditions should apply to correction factors for energy group structure, spatial mesh and transport effects.

Analytical results of coolant flow reduction test in the HTTR

Takamatsu, Kuniyoshi; Nakagawa, Shigeaki; Iyoku, Tatsuo

Proceedings of 11th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-11) (CD-ROM), 12 Pages, 2005/10

Safety demonstration tests using the HTTR are in progress to verify the inherent safety features, to improve the safety design and the technologies for High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs). The coolant flow reduction test by tripping one or two out of three gas circulators is one of the safety demonstration tests. The reactor power safely becomes a stable level without a reactor scram and the temperature transient of the reactor-core is very slow. The SIRIUS code was developed to analyze reactor transient during the tests with reactor dynamics. This paper describes the validation of the SIRIUS code with the measured values of one and two gas circulators tripping test at 30% (9 MW). It was confirmed that the SIRIUS code was able to analyze the reactor transient within 10% during the tests. The result of this study and the way of resolving problems can be applied to development for not only the commercial HTGRs but also the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) as one of the Generation IV reactors.

Proposal for evaluation methods of reactor outlet coolant temperature in HTGRs

Takamatsu, Kuniyoshi; Nakagawa, Shigeaki

JAERI-Tech 2005-030, 21 Pages, 2005/05

JAERI-Tech-2005-030.pdf:1.06MB

The High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) is a graphite moderated and gas cooled reactor with the thermal power of 30MW and the reactor outlet coolant temperature of 850C/950C. Rise-to-power test in the HTTR was performed from March 31th to May 1st in 2004 as phase 5 test up to 30MW in the high temperature test operation mode. It was confirmed that the thermal reactor power and the reactor outlet coolant temperature reached to 30MW and 950C respectively on April 19th. Achievement of the reactor outlet coolant temperature of 950C is the first time in Japan as well as the world. This report describes proposal for evaluation methods of reactor outlet coolant temperature in the HTGRs through the HTTR operation experiments. The equation is derived from relationships among PRM reading values, reactor outlet coolant temperature, reactor thermal power and heat removal by VCS. The deliberation processes in this study will be applicable to the research and developments of HTGRs in the future.

Rise-to-power test in high temperature engineering test reactor in the high temperature test operation mode; Test progress and summary of test results up to 30MW of reactor thermal power

Takamatsu, Kuniyoshi; Nakagawa, Shigeaki; Sakaba, Nariaki; Takada, Eiji*; Tochio, Daisuke; Shimakawa, Satoshi; Nojiri, Naoki; Goto, Minoru; Shibata, Taiju; Ueta, Shohei; et al.

JAERI-Tech 2004-063, 61 Pages, 2004/10

JAERI-Tech-2004-063.pdf:3.14MB

The High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) is a graphite moderated and gas cooled reactor with the thermal power of 30MW and the reactor outlet coolant temperature of 850C/950C. Rise-to-power test in the HTTR was performed from March 31th to May 1st in 2004 as phase 5 test up to 30MW in the high temperature test operation mode. It was confirmed that the thermal reactor power and the reactor outlet coolant temperature reached to 30MW and 950C respectively on April 19th in the single operation mode using only the primary pressurized water cooler. The parallel loaded operation mode using the intermediate heat exchanger and the primary pressurized water cooler was performed from June 2nd and JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) obtained the certificate of the pre-operation test on June 24th from MEXT (Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology) after all the pre-operation tests were passed successfully in the high temperature test operation mode. Achievement of the reactor-outlet coolant temperature of 950C is the first time in the world. It is possible to extend highly effective power generation with a high-temperature gas turbine and produce hydrogen from water with a high-temperature. This report describes the results of the high-temperature test operation of the HTTR.

Activity report of Working Party on Reactor Physics of Accelerator-driven System; July 1999 to March 2001

Research Committee on Reactor Physics

JAERI-Review 2001-047, 180 Pages, 2002/02

JAERI-Review-2001-047.pdf:10.03MB

Under the Research Committee on Reactor Physics, the Working Party on Reactor Physics of Accelerator-Driven System (ADS-WP) was set in July 1999 to review and investigate special subjects related to reactor physics research for the Accelerator-Driven Subcritical System (ADS).The ADS-WP, at the first meeting, discussed a task guideline of its activity for two years and decided to concentrate upon three subjects: (1) neutron transport calculations in high energy range, (2) static and kinetic (safety-related) characteristics of subcritical system, and (3) system design including ADS concepts and elemental technology developments required.The activity of ADS-WP continued from July 1999 to March 2001. In this duration, the members of ADS-WP met together four times and discussed the above subjects. In addition, the ADS-WP conducted a questionnaire on requests and proposals for the plan of Transmutation Physics Experimental Facility in the High-Intensity Proton Accelerator Project, which is a joint project between JAERI and KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization).This report summarizes the results obtained by the above ADS-WP activity. The report will be useful to overview those results and moreover to set up a new guideline of future research activity in this field.

Seismic response of the High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor core bottom structure

Iyoku, Tatsuo; Inagaki, Yoshiyuki; Shiozawa, Shusaku; Futakawa, Masatoshi;

Nuclear Technology, 99, p.169 - 176, 1992/08

https://doi.org/10.13182/NT92-A34687

no abstracts in English