Journals / Sakarya University Journal of Science / 2020 / Volume: 24 Issue: 6

The Method to Predict First Critical Core Loading for Nuclear Reactors

Senem Şentürk Lüle(ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6632-5831
Pages
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Publication Date
2020-12-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The methodology and simulations can be used for power reactor analysis as well.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Nuclear power plants have an important role in carbon free electricity production in the world.
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Key Findings & Data:In this study, inverse sub-critical multiplication method was applied to Istanbul Technical University TRIGA Mark II research reactor first criticality in 1979 by using Monte Carlo simulation code MCNP6.2.
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Conclusion & Impact:The methodology and simulations can be used for power reactor analysis as well.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Criticality approach · Monte Carlo method · sub-critical multiplication

Abstract

Nuclear power plants have an important role in carbon free electricity production in the world. One of the important steps of commissioning a nuclear power plant is the first core loading. This is also called approaching the criticality. Since the number of fuel elements for the criticality is not known, precautions must be taken to prevent safety incidents. Although the procedure is performed on-line such that the neutron counts are measured at each loading of fuel elements to calculate sub-critical multiplication and the number of fuel element to reach criticality were predicted, computer simulations can also be used. In this study, inverse sub-critical multiplication method was applied to Istanbul Technical University TRIGA Mark II research reactor first criticality in 1979 by using Monte Carlo simulation code MCNP6.2. Full 3-D model of the reactor was generated for calculations. Both results, experimental and simulation, showed that reactor became critical with 62 fuel elements. The core excess reactivity of 23.1 cents was predicted as 21.7 with the code. The simulation results are in good agreement with experimental results. The methodology and simulations can be used for power reactor analysis as well.

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Cite This Article

Lüle, S. Ş. (2020). The Method to Predict First Critical Core Loading for Nuclear Reactors. Sakarya University Journal of Science, Volume: 24 Issue: 6. https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.677487

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