Neutronics and thermal-hydraulics analysis of transatomic power molten salt reactor (TAP MSR) core under load following operations

Lee, Alvin J.H.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109415 Copy

Description

Title

Neutronics and thermal-hydraulics analysis of transatomic power molten salt reactor (TAP MSR) core under load following operations

Author(s)

Lee, Alvin J.H.

Issue Date

2020-12-07

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Kozlowski, Tomasz

Committee Member(s)

Huff, Kathryn D

Department of Study

Nuclear, Plasma, & Rad Engr

Discipline

Nuclear, Plasma, Radiolgc Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Multiphysics
• Thermal Hydraulics
• Neutronics
• Moltres
• Transatomic Power
• Molten Salt Reactor
• Transient
• Load Following
• Salt Proc
• MEITNER

Abstract

This work analyzed the neutronics and thermal-hydraulics behavior of the Transatomic Power Molten Salt Reactor (TAP MSR) core under load-following operations using a Monte Carlo code, Serpent 2, as well as a UIUC-developed MOOSE-based code, Moltres. A simulation method was developed to determine the operational bounds of the TAP MSR core and its transient behavior under rapid power ramps using both fresh fuel salt and fuel salt with equilibrium 135Xe. The thermal-hydraulics investigation studied the potential of exceeding material temperature constraints under simple advection flow versus a flow simulated with Incompressible Navier-Stokes physics. Finally, the effects of gas entrainment on the reactor core behavior were investigated. This study concludes that the TAP MSR core is able to perform rapid load following operations without exceeding its thermal safety constraints. The findings in this work were derived from research performed under the DOE ARPA-E MEITNER project, DE-AR0000983.

Graduation Semester

2020-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109415

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 by Alvin J.H. Lee. All rights reserved.

Owning Collections