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CHARACTERIZATION OF EXPOSURE-DEPENDENT EIGENVALUE DRIFT USING MONTE CARLO BASED NUCLEAR FUEL MANAGEMENT

XOUBI, NED
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1132174605

Abstract Details

2005, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering : Nuclear and Radiological Engineering.
The ability to accurately predict the multiplication factor (k eff ) of a nuclear reactor core as a function of exposure continues to be an elusive task for core designers despite decades of advances in computational methods. The difference between a predicted eigenvalue (target) and the actual eigenvalue at critical reactor conditions is herein referred to as the “eigenvalue drift.” This dissertation studies exposure-dependent eigenvalue drift using MCNP-based fuel management analysis of the ORNL High Flux Isotope Reactor core. Spatial-dependent burnup is evaluated using the MONTEBURNS and ALEPH codes to link MCNP to ORIGEN to help analyze the behavior of k eff as a function of fuel exposure. Understanding the exposure-dependent eigenvalue drift of a nuclear reactor is of particular relevance when trying to predict the impact of major design changes upon fuel cycle behavior and length. In this research, the design of an advanced HFIR core with a fuel loading of 12 kg of 235 U is contrasted against the current loading of 9.4 kg. The goal of applying exposure dependent eigenvalue characterization is to produce a more accurate prediction of the fuel cycle length than prior analysis techniques, and to improve our understanding of the reactivity behavior of the core throughout the cycle. This investigation predicted a fuel cycle length of 40 days, representing a 50% increase in the cycle length in response to a 25% increase in fuel loading. The average burnup increased by about 48 MWd/kg U and it was confirmed that the excess reactivity can be controlled with the present design and arrangement of control elements throughout the core’s life. Another major design change studied was the effect of installing an internal beryllium reflector upon cycle length. Exposure dependent eigenvalue predictions indicate that the actual benefit could be twice as large as that originally assessed via beginning-of-life (BOL) analyses.
G. Ivan Maldonado (Advisor)
234 p.
Engineering, Nuclear
Eigenvalue; Fuel Cycle; MCNP; Beryllium; Core Design; HFIR; Burnup; keff

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Citations

  • XOUBI, N. (2005). CHARACTERIZATION OF EXPOSURE-DEPENDENT EIGENVALUE DRIFT USING MONTE CARLO BASED NUCLEAR FUEL MANAGEMENT [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1132174605

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • XOUBI, NED. CHARACTERIZATION OF EXPOSURE-DEPENDENT EIGENVALUE DRIFT USING MONTE CARLO BASED NUCLEAR FUEL MANAGEMENT. 2005. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1132174605.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • XOUBI, NED. "CHARACTERIZATION OF EXPOSURE-DEPENDENT EIGENVALUE DRIFT USING MONTE CARLO BASED NUCLEAR FUEL MANAGEMENT." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1132174605

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1132174605
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.