Pre-conceptual design of a gas-cooled microreactor with two-phase composite moderators

Edward M. Duchnowski; Robert F. Kile; Jacob P. Gorton; Nicholas R. Brown

doi:10.13182/T124-35294

Pre-conceptual design of a gas-cooled microreactor with two-phase composite moderators

Edward M. Duchnowski, Robert F. Kile, Jacob P. Gorton, Nicholas R. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interest in microreactors because of the need for energy in remote locations is leading to the development of new nuclear energy technologies. These technologies are aimed at reducing overall core size without compromising on safety. The HTGR size limitation is primarily based on the graphite moderator. By replacing graphite with a beryllium-based moderator, a larger power output or longer cycle length could be achieved. Early optimization studies show significant gain in performance for all cases. Optimization studies are currently being expanded to fully harness the moderating capabilities of the beryllium moderators. Parametric studies show acceptable design criteria for pressure, moderator temperature, and cycle length limitations for beryllium-based moderators.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	528-529
Number of pages	2
Journal	Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
Volume	124
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.13182/T124-35294
State	Published - 2021
Externally published	Yes
Event	2021 Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, ANS 2021 - Virtual, Online, United States Duration: Jun 14 2021 → Jun 16 2021

Funding

This work was funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program: Modeling-Enhanced Innovations Trailblazing Nuclear Energy Reinvigoration (MEITNER) under contract DEAR0000977.

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10.13182/T124-35294

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title = "Pre-conceptual design of a gas-cooled microreactor with two-phase composite moderators",

abstract = "Interest in microreactors because of the need for energy in remote locations is leading to the development of new nuclear energy technologies. These technologies are aimed at reducing overall core size without compromising on safety. The HTGR size limitation is primarily based on the graphite moderator. By replacing graphite with a beryllium-based moderator, a larger power output or longer cycle length could be achieved. Early optimization studies show significant gain in performance for all cases. Optimization studies are currently being expanded to fully harness the moderating capabilities of the beryllium moderators. Parametric studies show acceptable design criteria for pressure, moderator temperature, and cycle length limitations for beryllium-based moderators.",

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AB - Interest in microreactors because of the need for energy in remote locations is leading to the development of new nuclear energy technologies. These technologies are aimed at reducing overall core size without compromising on safety. The HTGR size limitation is primarily based on the graphite moderator. By replacing graphite with a beryllium-based moderator, a larger power output or longer cycle length could be achieved. Early optimization studies show significant gain in performance for all cases. Optimization studies are currently being expanded to fully harness the moderating capabilities of the beryllium moderators. Parametric studies show acceptable design criteria for pressure, moderator temperature, and cycle length limitations for beryllium-based moderators.

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ER -

Pre-conceptual design of a gas-cooled microreactor with two-phase composite moderators

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