Development of a general framework of resonance self-shielding treatment for broad-spectrum reactor lattice physics calculation

Jinchao Zhang; Qian Zhang; Hang Zou; Jialei Yu; Wei Cao; Shifu Wu; Shuai Qin; Qiang Zhao; Erez Gilad

Nuclear Engineering and Technology (Oct 2024)

Development of a general framework of resonance self-shielding treatment for broad-spectrum reactor lattice physics calculation

Jinchao Zhang,
Qian Zhang,
Hang Zou,
Jialei Yu,
Wei Cao,
Shifu Wu,
Shuai Qin,
Qiang Zhao,
Erez Gilad

Affiliations

Jinchao Zhang: Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, China
Qian Zhang: Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy Theory and Applications, Zhejiang Institute of Modern Physics, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Hang Zou: Science and Technology on Parallel and Distributed Processing Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, China; Laboratory of Digitizing Software for Frontier Equipment, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, China
Jialei Yu: Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, China
Wei Cao: Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy Theory and Applications, Zhejiang Institute of Modern Physics, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Shifu Wu: Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, China
Shuai Qin: Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy Theory and Applications, Zhejiang Institute of Modern Physics, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Qiang Zhao: Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, China; Corresponding author.
Erez Gilad: The Unit of Nuclear Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.Box 653, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 56, no. 10
pp. 4335 – 4354

Abstract

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Some core designs integrate high-enriched fuel and moderator materials to enhance neutron utilization. This combination results in a broad spectrum within the system, posing challenges in resonance calculation. This paper introduces a general framework to realize resonance self-shielding treatment in broad-spectrum fuel lattice problems. The framework consists of three components. First, a new energy group structure is devised to support resonance calculation in the entire energy range and capture spectral transition and thermalization effects during eigenvalue calculation. Second, the subgroup method based on narrow approximation is selected as a universal method to perform resonance calculation. Finally, transport equations for each fissionable region are solved for neutron flux to collapse the fission spectrum. The proposed method is verified against fast, intermediate, and thermal spectrum pin cell problems and an assembly problem featuring a fast-thermal coupled spectrum. Numerical results affirm the accuracy of the proposed method in handling these scenarios, with eigenvalue errors below 154 pcm for pin cell problems and 106 pcm for the assembly problem. The verification results revealed that the proposed method enables accurate resonance self-shielding treatment for broad-spectrum problems.

Published in Nuclear Engineering and Technology

ISSN: 1738-5733 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Nuclear engineering. Atomic power
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-engineering-and-technology

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