NucE 497 C

 

CROSS SECTION MODELING ALGORITHMS FOR NODAL REACTOR ANALYSIS

 

Offered during the Spring Semester

This page in pdf format

 

 

 

Instructor:             Dr. Kostadin N. Ivanov

 

Office:             231 Sackett Building

                        865-0040

                        kni1@psu.edu

 

Classes:            1:25 – 2:15 pm, T Th

                        248 Hammond

 

Comp. Lab:            316 Hammond      

 

Office Hours:            By Appointment

 

 

Description of the Course:

 

            This course discusses cross-section-modeling algorithms used in nodal reactor analysis applications in core design and fuel management studies as well as in transient calculations and safety evaluations. Advanced homogenization methods are presented together with physics models and geometry options of assembly spectrum/depletion codes. Pin power reconstruction techniques are discussed also together with the intra nodal spatial cross-section variation and the following implications on the cross-section generation procedure. Simple cross-section libraries will be developed to illustrate different feedback models and cross-section functionalization approaches. Differences and similarities will be examined with emphasis on developing sophisticated cross-section generation methodologies for best-estimate coupled 3-D kinetics/thermal-hydraulic simulations.

Students will be issued accounts on the Penn State IBM RISC cluster workstation (Hammond 316) and tashayar.nuce.psu.edu (Thermal-Hydraulic/Kinetics Group – Nuclear Engineering Program). Students will develop models and subsequent CASMO-3 and HELIOS Input Decks for practical reactor core design and safety analysis applications. For course project, students are encouraged to develop models and cross-section libraries directly related to their research.   

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

1.                  Methods for Determination of Homogenized Diffusion Theory Parameters for Coarse Mesh Nodal Analysis:

Nodal Equivalence Theory and Its Application to LWR

Calculations

Assembly Discontinuity Factors

Baffle/Reflector Representation

Benchmarks and Verification

 

2.                  Features of Advanced Assembly Spectrum/Depletion Codes:

Physics Models

Geometry Options and Basic Libraries

Applications – Depletion and Branch Calculations

 

3.                  Development of Cross-Section Libraries:

Cross-Section Functionalization and Depletion:

            History and Instantaneous Parameters

            Feedback Models – Polynomial Fitting and Table

            Look-up

Cross-Section Generation Procedure

           

4.                  Pin Power Reconstruction and Intra nodal Cross-Section Distribution

 

5.            Cross-Section Generation Methodologies for Three-Dimensional

            Coupled Core Dynamics/Thermal-Hydraulic System Codes:

                        Coupling and Mapping Schemes

                        Feedback Modeling Issues

                        LWR Applications Using CASMO-3 and HELIOS Computer

                        Codes:

                                    Best Estimate Simulations

                                    Conservative (Bounding) Analyses

 

 

Text:               Class Notes and Handouts

 

Grading:             Class Attendance                20%

                        Computer Projects                      80%