Fuel assembly bowing: Impact of inter-assembly gap on power distribution

Matías Zilly, Kevin Pletz, Friederike Bostelmann, Alexander Aures, Kiril Velkov, Uwe Stoll

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fuel assembly bowing in Pressurized Water Reactors causes changes in inter-assembly gaps and therefore local changes of the fuel-to-moderator ratio. This study examines the impact of fuel assembly bowing on the local and global neutronics in terms of pin powers and 2D assembly powers, respectively. Transport calculations demonstrate that the changes in pin powers and homogenized cross-sections are independent of the fuel type, but dependent on the size of the inter-assembly gap. For example, the pin powers increase by up to 27-28% for an additional 15 mm gap. Both the Monte Carlo reference calculation as well as the GRS core simulator KMACS show that assembly powers increase by up to 3% around an additional 15 mm gap in the investigated model. While the total power remains constant, power redistributions are observed since assemblies that are not in close proximity to the bowing assembly compensate decreased fuel assembly powers occurring at locations where the inter-assembly gap closes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018
Subtitle of host publicationReactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
PublisherSociedad Nuclear Mexicana, A.C.
Pages1904-1915
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781713808510
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018 - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Apr 22 2018Apr 26 2018

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
VolumePart F168384-3

Conference

Conference2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period04/22/1804/26/18

Funding

This work was funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.

FundersFunder number
Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit

    Keywords

    • Fuel assembly bowing
    • KMACS

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