Multiphysics assessment of a PWR-type SMR core using Spherical Cermet fuel through a neutronic and thermohydraulic coupled study

In this paper, a multiphysics assessment of the performance of a PWR-type SMR core using Spherical Cermet Fuel is carried out, through a coupled neutronic-thermohydraulic study using Serpent and Ansys CFX codes. The most important results related to the core performance are compared with those obtai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in nuclear energy (New series) 2023-12, Vol.166, p.104944, Article 104944
Main Authors: Rosales, Jesús, François, Juan-Luis, García, Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ANSYS CFX
CERMET fuel
Coupled calculation
PWR-Type SMR
SERPENT
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Summary:In this paper, a multiphysics assessment of the performance of a PWR-type SMR core using Spherical Cermet Fuel is carried out, through a coupled neutronic-thermohydraulic study using Serpent and Ansys CFX codes. The most important results related to the core performance are compared with those obtained when TRISO fuel is used. Correlations (Cp, k) were developed as function of temperature for the fuel region, which are unique and specific for the fuel of this study. The results obtained show that the neutronic-thermohydraulic coupled calculation converges from the fourth iteration, with Keff being the convergence indicator that converges more slowly. An extended fuel cycle of 1448 days was achieved with a uniform power distribution. With this new core configuration, a lower production of plutonium isotopes was obtained. Temperatures below the safe operation limit were obtained in all the studied zones, as well as basic negative safety parameters such as fuel temperature and moderator temperature coefficients, and the full coolant void coefficient.
ISSN:0149-1970
DOI:10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104944