Simian Qin , Quanyao Ren , Haidong Liu , Lele Zheng , Shanshan Bu , Shan Huang , Deqi Chen
{"title":"Numerical study on a wire-wrapped fuel rod vibration induced by axial Pb-Bi coolant flow","authors":"Simian Qin , Quanyao Ren , Haidong Liu , Lele Zheng , Shanshan Bu , Shan Huang , Deqi Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this paper, the CFD analysis on the Pb-Bi axial flow around a wire-wrapped rod were performed and the vibrations of a wire-wrapped rod caused by the Pb-Bi axial flow were numerically studied. The effects of the pitches, flow rates and constraints on the vibration displacements and frequency were discussed. It was found that the transverse flow intensity increased twofold when the wire pitch was reduced from 400 mm to 200 mm. The augmentation of inlet flow rate from 1 m/s to 2 m/s resulted in an approximately fourfold amplification of the turbulent kinetic energy. The shear stress and pressure on the rod surface fluctuated significantly at the wire location. The force due to the wall shear stress was at least two orders of magnitude smaller than the pressure component. The vibration pattern of the fuel rod was consistent with the first-order vibration pattern and the main vibration frequency was close to the first-order natural frequency. The RMS of the fuel rod amplitude increased from 13.71 μm to 19.60 μm when the wire pitch decreased from 400 mm to 200 mm. When the inlet velocity increased from 1 m/s to 2 m/s, the RMS of the amplitude increased from 4.98 μm to 19.6 μm. When the both ends were restrained by completely fixed support, the vibration displacement at the center point decreased by 46 % compared to that in the case with circumferentially fixed in the upper end and completely fixed in the lower end. This study can provide the theoretical guide to the design of wire-wrapped fuel rods in the lead–bismuth cooled fast reactors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111407"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dalal Abdullah Aloraini , W.A. Abu‑raia , Aly Saeed
{"title":"Attenuation ability of tungsten and cadmium-reinforced polymeric materials as protective shields against gamma radiation and thermal neutrons","authors":"Dalal Abdullah Aloraini , W.A. Abu‑raia , Aly Saeed","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pressing demand for efficient dual-function shields against gamma rays and neutrons has driven research. This study enhances polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) attenuation through the simultaneous addition of 10 & 5, 20 & 10, 30 & 15, and 40 & 20 wt% of WO<sub>3</sub> and CdO. The successful incorporation was confirmed by changes in density, FTIR, dynamic mechanical analysis, and optical absorption spectra. Adding 40 and 20 wt% of WO<sub>3</sub> and CdO increased the density by 4.5 times and raised the glass transition temperature from 39.762 °C to 74.423 °C. The mechanical properties showed significant improvement at higher concentrations of WO<sub>3</sub> and CdO. The shielding effectiveness of gamma rays and thermal neutrons revealed significant improvements: 407.4 %, 352.1 %, and 343.3 % for gamma rays at 661.64, 1173.23, and 1332.51 keV, respectively, and 1120.3 % for thermal neutrons. The results highlight the potential of PVA reinforced with WO<sub>3</sub> and CdO for nuclear shielding applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111412"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peng Fang , Yanling Zhu , Feng Zhou , Qiuying Liang , Shijie Du , Yongwei Yang , Lei Yang
{"title":"Implementation of dynamic Monte Carlo simulation using IMPC-NP for transient analysis of subcritical reactor driven by external neutron source","authors":"Peng Fang , Yanling Zhu , Feng Zhou , Qiuying Liang , Shijie Du , Yongwei Yang , Lei Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111415","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111415","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to meet the requirements of neutron dynamics analysis for China’s initiating Accelerator Driven System (CiADS), we have implemented the calculation function of neutron kinetic parameters (<em>β</em><sub>eff</sub> and <em>Λ</em><sub>eff</sub>) and the Dynamic Monte Carlo transient analysis function in the Monte Carlo code IMPC-NP. Most importantly, based on this, we have implemented a dynamic transient analysis function with external neutron sources. This is the first simulation using dynamic Monte Carlo code with external neutron sources. On the basis of verifying the reliability of the code, this article simulated the external neutrons under subcritical conditions and obtained the flux variation law under specific conditions. This code can simulate the transient evolution of neutrons in ADS core under different external neutron souces strength and distributions in the future, providing important reference data for beam control of accelerators in ADS facility. This code tool has significant application significance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111415"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aliyu Sani , Mohd Hafiz Mohd Zaid , Khamirul Amin Matori , Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim , Loh Zhi Wei
{"title":"Enhancement on optical properties and radiation shielding performance of new formulation zinc modified boro-tellurite glasses","authors":"Aliyu Sani , Mohd Hafiz Mohd Zaid , Khamirul Amin Matori , Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim , Loh Zhi Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The main goal of this research is to determine the fundamental characteristics of <em>x</em>ZnO − 30B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>−(70-<em>x</em>)TeO<sub>2</sub> glass system that can be used as radiation shielding. Ultrasonic analysis and UV–Vis results show Urbach energy ranges from 1.071 to 0.737 S<sup>-1</sup>, whereas the direct and indirect optical band gaps increase between 3.194 and 3.270 and 2.22 to 2.64 eV, respectively. The density of the glasses varies between 4.25 and 4.04 g/cm<sup>3</sup>. As the ZnO concentration increases, all elastic moduli decrease as well as microhardness from 5.63 to 3.92 GPa and Poisson’s ratio from 0.26 to 0.24 based on the results from ultrasonic measurement. The refractive index of a glass changes from 1.98 to 2.02, their molar volume decreases from 32.77 to 28.91 cm<sup>3</sup>/mol, and molar weight decreases from 132.61 to 116.96 g/mol, whereas oxygen molar volume ranges from 12.1 to 9.73, and the oxygen packing density changes from 2.3 to 2.1 mol/cm<sup>3</sup>. Electronegativity, Optical Polarizability, and Basicity ranging from 0.86 to 0.87, 2.73 to 2.71, and 1.27 to 1.26, respectively. All the radiation factors for the robust glass system were calculated using the Phy-X/PSD programming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111411"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A boron concentration maneuvering control algorithm for reactivity management during transients in VVER-1000 nuclear power units","authors":"Ahmed E. Salman , Hassan E. Gomaa","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Effective reactivity management is paramount for the safe and efficient operation of VVER-1000 reactors. A high-fidelity dynamic model is developed for boron control based on point kinetic equations, which capture the complex reactor kinetics, boron dynamics, and associated feedback systems governing the reactor’s behavior. The algorithm utilized a Proportional–Integral–Derivative controller optimized via Sequential Quadratic Programming (PID-SQP controller) to optimize boron maneuvering and compensate for external disturbances successfully. Step disturbances are applied to reactor inlet temperature at different boration/dilution rates to assess the algorithm’s resilience. The controller successfully regulated the power but exhibited different characteristics regarding overshoot, undershoot, smoothness of the change, and settling time. A statistical-based optimization analysis of the responses is conducted to determine the optimal levels for smooth and fast responses. The results exhibit enhanced stability, faster response times, and reduced boron overshoot transients. A dynamic optimization plot is constructed to figure out the boration/dilution rate yielding the highest composite desirability index.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111381"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143715635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fast, accurate numerical evaluation of incomplete Planck integrals","authors":"Whit Lewis, Ryan G. McClarren","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111374","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111374","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methods for computing the integral of the Planck blackbody function over a finite spectral range, the so-called incomplete Planck integral, are necessary to perform multigroup radiative transfer calculations. We present a comparison, in terms of speed and accuracy, of a wide array of approaches to numerically evaluating these integrals. Our results indicate that a direct rational polynomial approximation to these integrals has the best combination of accuracy and efficiency. We also present for the first time a derivation of the polylogarithm form of these integrals and show that modern approaches to polylogarithm evaluation are suitable for numerically evaluating incomplete Planck integrals. This article is dedicated to Prof. B.D. Ganapol, the Transport Cowboy, on the occasion of his retirement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111374"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143706361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of a start-up core for sustaining rotational fuel shuffling strategy for a nitride fueled lead-cooled fast reactor","authors":"Alexandru Catalin Stafie, Toru Obara","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111379","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111379","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates a start-up core design for a lead-cooled fast reactor employing a Rotational Fuel-shuffling Breed-and-Burn (RFBB) strategy using High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) nitride fuel. Based on the Westinghouse Lead-cooled Fast Reactor, the reactor can achieve and maintain criticality using natural uranium as feed fuel for a refueling interval of 1050 EFPD. Analysis indicates an equilibrium discharge burnup of <span><math><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mspace></mspace><mn>230</mn><mspace></mspace><mi>MWd/kgHM</mi></mrow></math></span>. The refueling strategy gradually replaces HALEU fuel with natural uranium assemblies, ensuring stable power profiles during the transition cycles. The reactivity control system can insert at least <span><math><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mn>15</mn><mspace></mspace><mtext>$</mtext></mrow></math></span> negative reactivity. Thermohydraulic assessments confirm effective heat removal, with peak fuel temperatures within operational limits. The study addresses proliferation risks from weapons-grade plutonium generation by proposing strategies for fuel reutilization and fuel assembly optimization. The study confirms the feasibility of the start-up core to sustain the RFBB mode while suggesting the potential for further optimization to control excess reactivity and enhance proliferation resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111379"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143706362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of thermal scattering law and cross sections for liquid hydrogen fluoride","authors":"T. Ahmed, N.C. Fleming, A.I. Hawari","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a material commonly used in fuel manufacturing and processing, and as a result it is of particular interest for criticality safety applications. In order to capture the thermal scattering impacts from this hydrogenous material, accurate thermal scattering law (TSL, i.e. S(α,β)) libraries were developed. Using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the liquid HF system, a parametrized three-site model was developed in the GROMACS MD code to accurately represent the hydrogen bond and capture the liquid’s interatomic structure. This computational model (referenced as the NCSU HF model) was constructed with a massless charge to capture the hydrogen bonds between molecules. The accuracy of the NCSU HF model was verified by comparing its predictions of various HF properties with experimental data for the hydrogen and fluorine bond length, density, potential energy, dipole moment, and diffusion coefficient. From this model, the primary inputs of the phonon density of states (DOS) and liquid diffusion properties were derived for use in the Full Law Analysis Scattering System Hub (<em>FLASSH</em>) to evaluate the TSL for both H(HF) and F(HF). These TSL libraries were benchmarked using the ICSBEP HEU-SOL-THERM-039 critical assembly benchmark, showing notable improvement on the order of 1170 pcm. The libraries generated in this work have been accepted in the ENDF/B-VIII.1 nuclear data release.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neural network-based prediction of decommissioning costs for SMRs","authors":"Balázs Kocsis","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decommissioning Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) poses distinct economic challenges compared to conventional nuclear power plants. This study uses a statistical technique, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce collected nine cost-driving data to two principal components, that explain 77.87% of the total variance. They were put into a Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network as input to develop a predictive model for decommissioning costs, achieving a training error of 0.0016 and demonstrating strong predictive accuracy across 30 sample datasets. Based on result, dismantling the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is a significant fixed cost, it is the largest contributor of overall expenses. Simulations show that increasing net electrical output (NEO) from 50 MWe to 350 MWe increases total decommissioning costs by only 6%, indicating the independence, and signing the importance of larger scale or co-located installations. This leads to the statement that targeted strategies are needed to optimize dismantling processes and waste management to achieve cost savings by taking the best use of modular design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111392"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143706363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neutronic assessment of stable salt reactor with reprocessed fuels","authors":"Natália Gonçalves , Clarysson A.M. Silva , María Lorduy-Alós , Sergio Gallardo , Claubia Pereira , Gumersindo Verdú","doi":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111383","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111383","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As global energy demand is projected to increase significantly, identifying sustainable and efficient energy solutions is imperative. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) utilizing Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology offer a viable approach, providing flexibility, efficiency, and reduced radioactive waste. This study examines the Stable Salt Reactor (SSR-W300), focusing on the neutronic behavior of various fuel compositions derived from PUREX (Plutonium–Uranium Redox Extraction) and UREX+ (Uranium Extraction Plus) reprocessing. The analysis utilizes the MCNP6 code to evaluate the impact of different reflector thicknesses on neutron parameters and the performance of fuels. It is determined that a 50 cm reflector thickness optimizes neutron economy while managing costs. Furthermore, comparisons of PUREX-derived fuel with UREX + fuels, which include minor actinides, reveal that UREX + fuels produce a flatter neutron flux profile and exhibit improved criticality over extended periods. The findings suggest that extending the refueling interval beyond the conventional 6 months to 8 months could enhance reactor performance. This study underscores the potential of Stable Salt Reactors (SSRs) to address growing energy demands through sustainable and efficient means.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8006,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Nuclear Energy","volume":"218 ","pages":"Article 111383"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}