A method for the calculation of the adjoint function in cold neutron sources and its applications

Ariel Márquez; Florencia Cantargi

doi:10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107073

A method for the calculation of the adjoint function in cold neutron sources and its applications

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The optimization process of a cold neutron source (CNS) commonly involves many design variables, such as cold moderator shape and volume, nuclear heating of the moderator and structures, positioning of the device relative to the reactor core, among others. In this research, we develop Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the adjoint neutron function in the cold moderator, when the source of importance is given by neutrons reaching the extraction surface with certain energy and angle requirements. As a relevant application example, the case of a liquid Deuterium CNS was studied, obtaining a detailed transport analysis including adjoint maps that reveal which portions of the moderator are effective to produce required or “important” neutrons. We also show how to make use of this information to modify the geometry of the CNS and to estimate the change in intensity introduced by such modifications.

Original language	English
Article number	107073
Journal	Annals of Nuclear Energy
Volume	137
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107073
State	Published - Mar 2020
Externally published	Yes

Funding

Funding from CNEA (Argentine National Commission of Atomic Energy) is gratefully acknowledged.

Keywords

Adjoint
Beam tube
Cold neutron source
Monte Carlo
Neutron importance

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10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107073

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title = "A method for the calculation of the adjoint function in cold neutron sources and its applications",

abstract = "The optimization process of a cold neutron source (CNS) commonly involves many design variables, such as cold moderator shape and volume, nuclear heating of the moderator and structures, positioning of the device relative to the reactor core, among others. In this research, we develop Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the adjoint neutron function in the cold moderator, when the source of importance is given by neutrons reaching the extraction surface with certain energy and angle requirements. As a relevant application example, the case of a liquid Deuterium CNS was studied, obtaining a detailed transport analysis including adjoint maps that reveal which portions of the moderator are effective to produce required or “important” neutrons. We also show how to make use of this information to modify the geometry of the CNS and to estimate the change in intensity introduced by such modifications.",

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AU - Márquez, Ariel

AU - Cantargi, Florencia

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N2 - The optimization process of a cold neutron source (CNS) commonly involves many design variables, such as cold moderator shape and volume, nuclear heating of the moderator and structures, positioning of the device relative to the reactor core, among others. In this research, we develop Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the adjoint neutron function in the cold moderator, when the source of importance is given by neutrons reaching the extraction surface with certain energy and angle requirements. As a relevant application example, the case of a liquid Deuterium CNS was studied, obtaining a detailed transport analysis including adjoint maps that reveal which portions of the moderator are effective to produce required or “important” neutrons. We also show how to make use of this information to modify the geometry of the CNS and to estimate the change in intensity introduced by such modifications.

AB - The optimization process of a cold neutron source (CNS) commonly involves many design variables, such as cold moderator shape and volume, nuclear heating of the moderator and structures, positioning of the device relative to the reactor core, among others. In this research, we develop Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the adjoint neutron function in the cold moderator, when the source of importance is given by neutrons reaching the extraction surface with certain energy and angle requirements. As a relevant application example, the case of a liquid Deuterium CNS was studied, obtaining a detailed transport analysis including adjoint maps that reveal which portions of the moderator are effective to produce required or “important” neutrons. We also show how to make use of this information to modify the geometry of the CNS and to estimate the change in intensity introduced by such modifications.

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KW - Beam tube

KW - Cold neutron source

KW - Monte Carlo

KW - Neutron importance

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DO - 10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107073

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JO - Annals of Nuclear Energy

JF - Annals of Nuclear Energy

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ER -

A method for the calculation of the adjoint function in cold neutron sources and its applications

Abstract

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Keywords

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