Hybrid Geometry Modeling of the Alternative Designs of the Bottom Reflector of the 3D Printed Transformational Challenge Reactor

A. Talamo, A. Bergeron, S. N.P. Vegendla, F. Heidet, B. Ade, B. R. Betzler

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

Abstract

The unique feature of the Transformational Challenge Reactor is the advanced manufacturing. More precisely, selected components, including the fuel and silicon carbide reflector elements, are designed to be manufactured by 3D printing. This unique feature broadens the design of the cooling channels since it is possible to set any arbitrary shape for the coolant (helium) flows. In this study, four different designs of the helium channels of the bottom reflector are proposed and analyzed by Serpent simulations with the goal of maximizing neutronics and fluid-dynamics performances and the manufacturing process. The Serpent Monte Carlo code allows to model a reactor core by hybrid geometry. In the hybrid geometry, the 3D printed components can be modeled by the CAD geometry (using the manufacturing CAD files) and the other components can be modeled by combinatorial geometry.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2022
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages2542-2550
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487873
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event2022 International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2022 - Pittsburgh, United States
Duration: May 15 2022May 20 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2022

Conference

Conference2022 International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh
Period05/15/2205/20/22

Funding

The submitted manuscript has been created by UChicago Argonne LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory ("Argonne"). Argonne, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, is operated under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. The U.S. Government retains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable worldwide license in said article to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government. This research was sponsored by the Transformational Challenge Reactor Program of the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy. The authors acknowledge and thank Drs. R. Tuominen, V. Valtavirta, and J. Leppänen (VTT, Finland) for the help with Serpent simulations and for providing the ENDF/B-VII.1 modified ACE files with enhanced data for energy deposition calculations.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyDE-AC02-06CH11357
Office of Nuclear Energy

    Keywords

    • 3D printing
    • CAD geometry
    • TCR

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