Seaborg External multiphysics Architecture for Licensing and Ip development Of Nuclear reactors

Purpose and goal

A new verification method for neutron transport solvers was derived for the specific case of Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). This method is based on the extraction of the point-kinetic response of a nuclear reactor excited by a mono-chromatic perturbation and on its subsequent comparison with an expected functional dependence. The method was applied to a simple dynamic MSR solver specifically developed for the purpose of the project, demonstrating the capabilities of the technique. Contrary to other verification methods, the present method can be applied to any heterogeneous system.

Expected results and effects

The verification method developed for the case of MSR represents the only method, to the author´s knowledge, allowing verifying the proper implementation of a neutronic solver for heterogeneous systems. Typically, the verification of such solvers is based on analytical solutions that can only be derived for homogeneous or piece-wise homogeneous systems. The verification method thus represents an asset to the nuclear reactor modelling community.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was carried out with three other partners: Seaborg Technologies (Denmark), the Technical University of Denmark (Denmark) and DAES (Switzerland) as part of the SEALION project (Eurostars project). The project aimed at developing a multiphysics modelling suite for MSRs using regulatory compliant tools. Chalmers was essentially involved in the Work Package on Benchmarking. Beyond supporting the other partners in their benchmarking efforts, Chalmers also developed a new verification method targeted at neutronic solvers for MSRs.