Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika

The peer-reviewed scientific and technology journal. ISSN: 0204-3327

Approaches to optimization of core reactivity coefficients for the «MASTER» heat supply reactor

5/11/2014 2014 - #03 Physics and technology of nuclear reactors

Titov D.M. Dorokhovich S.L. Kazansky Y.A.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2014.3.12

UDC: 621.039.56

After the power output of the MASTER heat supply reactor increased due to insertion of an annular coolant channel, feedback coefficients deteriorated. Thereby, it was necessary to find ways to change reactivity coefficients in the new reactor design while at the same time retaining such features as natural circulation, low core pressure and outlet core temperature of the coolant. Calculations were made of the dependence of the reactivity coefficients on the annular coolant channel width and location and on fuel enrichment. The WIMS-D4 neutron-physical code was used as a calculation tool. The results showed that the feedback coefficients optimum can be achieved by reducing the annular channel width and increasing fuel enrichment. At the same time the reactivity coefficients are insensitive to changing the radius of the annular coolant channel location. Restrictions for fuel enrichment (IAEA requirements) coupled with geometry restrictions of the annular channel listed above (impossibility to remove thermal power or a significant increase in the height of the heat exchanger) have shown that the possibilities of improving feedbacks through varying the width and location of the annular channel have been used up. Possible improvements can be achieved by changing the type of burnable poison and the neutron spectrum.

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reactor physics burnable poison low power reactors reactivity coefficients

Link for citing the article: Titov D.M., Dorokhovich S.L., Kazansky Y.A. Approaches to optimization of core reactivity coefficients for the «MASTER» heat supply reactor. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2014, no. 3, pp. 113-122; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2014.3.12 (in Russian).

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