High flux isotope reactor low-enriched uranium core design optimization studies

B. R. Betzler, D. Chandler, D. H. Cook, E. E. Davidson, G. Ilas

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

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Design optimization studies have been conducted for a High Flux Isotope Reactor low-enriched uranium (LEU) core using a high density U-10Mo monolithic alloy fuel. These studies search a multidimensional design space to provide understanding of the dependence of multiple design objectives on the design choices. Neutronic, isotopic depletion, and thermal hydraulic analyses are incorporated into these studies to generate key performance and safety metrics for assessing the feasibility and fitness of given designs. A design optimization methodology based on response surface methodology has been developed to visualize dependencies and to combine multiple objectives for determining an unbiased overall optimized design. These studies provide an understanding of the effect that design decisions have on the key performance and safety metrics, and establish a basis for further studies to determine truly optimized designs.

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.
Pages1867-1879
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781713808510
StatePublished - 2018
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 supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Material Management and Minimization and the ORNL Research Reactors Division. The authors would also like to thank the Shift development team for support with the tool.

Keywords

  • Design optimization
  • High flux isotope reactor
  • LEU conversion
  • Research reactor
  • Response surface

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