Approaches to optimization of core reactivity coefficirnts for the “MASTER” heat supply reactor

• Main Authors: D.M. Titov, S.L. Dorokhovich, Yu.A. Kazansky
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) 2015-09-01
• Series: Nuclear Energy and Technology
• Subjects: Reactor physics; Burnable poison; Small reactors; Reactivity coefficients
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452303815000114

After increasing the power output of heat supply reactor «MASTER» by insertion of the annular channel with coolant, feedback coefficients are deteriorated. Thereby, there was need to find ways for changing reactivity coefficients in new reactor design and at the same time to save natural circulation, low core pressure and outlet core temperature of coolant. Reactivity coefficients have been calculated depending on width and locations radius of annular coolant channel at once to fuel enrichment. Neutron-physical code WIMS-D4 was used as calculation tool. The results showed that the feedback coefficients optimum can be achieved by reducing of annular channel width and increasing of fuel enrichment. At the same time reactivity coefficients are insensitive to location of annular coolant channel radius changes. Restrictions for fuel enrichment (IAEA requirements) coupled with geometry restrictions of annular channel listed above (impossible to remove the thermal power or significant increasing of heat exchangers height) have shown that prospect of feedbacks improving via width and location of annular channel is used up. Possible improvements can be achieved by changing type of burnable poison and neutron spectrum.