Searching for the optimum number of integral burnable absorber rods used in PWR assembly

Q4 Energy

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Pub Date : 2019-07-08 DOI:10.1504/IJNEST.2019.10022540

A. Galahom

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引用次数: 4

Abstract

This article discusses the effect of different Integral Burnable Absorber numbers (IBAs) on the neutronic characteristics of a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) to provide a suitable safety level. MCNPX code version 2.6 was used to design a three dimensional model for PWR assembly. The designed model has been validated by comparing the output values of the infinity multiplication factor (Kinf) with a previously published value. The designed MCNPX model was used to analyse the radial distribution of thermal neutrons and the power through PWR assembly with and without IBA. Due to the high absorption cross-section of gadolinium, it has been used as a burnable absorber material in the IBA rods. The gadolinium isotopes suppressed the power in the regions where they were distributed. The existence of IBA rods has a large effect on the Kinf. This effect decreases gradually with burnup due to the degradation of gadolinium. The gadolinium isotopes degradation was analysed with burnup. Different numbers of IBA rods were investigated to optimise the suitable number that can be used in the PWR assembly. The reactivity has been investigated at different numbers of IBAs. The gadolinium effect on the concentration of 135Xe and 149Sm resulting from the fission process was analysed.

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压水堆组件用整体式可燃吸收棒最佳数量的探索

本文讨论了不同可燃吸收体数量()对压水堆(PWR)中子特性的影响，以提供合适的安全水平。采用MCNPX 2.6版代码对压水堆组件进行三维模型设计。通过将无限乘法因子(Kinf)的输出值与先前公布的值进行比较，验证了所设计的模型。利用所设计的MCNPX模型分析了装有和不装有IBA的压水堆组件的热中子径向分布和功率。由于钆的高吸收截面，它已被用作IBA棒的可燃吸收材料。钆同位素在它们分布的区域抑制了能量。IBA棒的存在对Kinf有很大的影响。由于钆的降解，这种效应随着燃耗逐渐减弱。用燃耗法分析了钆同位素的降解情况。研究了不同数量的IBA棒，以优化可用于压水堆组件的合适数量。研究了不同数量的反应性。分析了裂变过程中钆对135Xe和149Sm浓度的影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Energy-Nuclear Energy and Engineering

CiteScore

0.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Today, nuclear reactors generate nearly one quarter of the electricity in nations representing two thirds of humanity, and other nuclear applications are integral to many aspects of the world economy. Nuclear fission remains an important option for meeting energy requirements and maintaining a balanced worldwide energy policy; with major countries expanding nuclear energy"s role and new countries poised to introduce it, the key issue is not whether the use of nuclear technology will grow worldwide, even if public opinion concerning safety, the economics of nuclear power, and waste disposal issues adversely affect the general acceptance of nuclear power, but whether it will grow fast enough to make a decisive contribution to the global imperative of sustainable development.