Publication: Whole core analysis of the single-fluid double-zone heavy water-moderated molten salt reactor (SD-HWMSR)
Дата
2023
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Thermal-spectrum molten salt reactor (MSR) concepts usually adopt graphite as a neutron moderator. Although graphite as a moderator has many advantages, it also has drawbacks, including a relatively short lifespan (it has to be replaced), positive temperature feedback, and loss of impermeability due to expansion. Replacing graphite with heavy water in MSRs can effectively solve the problems introduced by graphite. The SD-HWMSR is a Single-fluid Double-zone Heavy Water-moderated Molten Salt Reactor. Optimization of SD-HWMSR’s fuel channel pitch and radius has been conducted in this work. As a result, the SD-HWMSR with a high breeding ratio (1.07465 ± 0.00060), low initial 233U loading (1.43 𝑡), and negative temperature and void reactivity coefficients is put forward. The SERPENT-2 is used to analyze the neutronics parameters of the reactor design. The current work investigates the change in the multiplication factor, breeding ratio, and the accumulation of significant nuclides in the core. The suitable 232Th and 233U refill rates needed to maintain criticality and enable analysis of the whole core of SD-HMMSR are thoroughly determined in this study. Uranium-233 and thorium-232 both have a maximum refill rate of 3.49 and 3.20 kg∕d, respectively. While the average refill rate for 233U and 232Th during the 60 years of operation is 1.90 and 2.35 kg∕d, respectively. The net production of 233U rises with time, and by the end of the 60 years, it is around 1.98 𝑡. The doubling time for the SD-HWMSR is 31 years, which is consistent with previous results.