Concept of a demonstrational hybrid reactor—a tokamak with molten-salt blanket for <Superscript>233</Superscript>U fuel production: 1. Concept of a stationary Tokamak as a neutron source

On the basis of current understanding of physical processes in tokamaks and taking into account engineering constraints, it is shown that a low-cost facility of a moderate size can be designed within the adopted concept. This facility makes it possible to achieve the power density of neutron flux which is of interest, in particular, for solving the problem of ²³³U fuel production from thorium. By using a molten-salt blanket, the important task of ensuring the safe operation of such a reactor in the case of possible coolant loss is accomplished. Moreover, in a hybrid reactor with the blanket based on liquid salts, the problem of periodic refueling that is difficult to perform in solid blankets can be solved.     

Neutronic simulation of a research reactor core of (232Th, 235U)O 2 fuel using MCNPX2.6 code

The small reactor design for the remote and less developed areas of the user countries should have simple features in view of the lack of infra-structure and resources. Many researchers consider long core life with no on-site refuelling activity as a primary feature for the small reactor design. Long core life can be achieved by enhancing internal conversion rate of fertile to fissile materials. For that purpose, thorium cycle can be adopted because a high fissile production rate of ²³³U converted from ²³²Th can be expected in the thermal energy region. A simple nuclear reactor core arranged 19 assemblies in hexagonal structure, using thorium-based fuel and heavy water as coolant and moderator was simulated using MCNPX2.6 code, aiming an optimized critical assembly. Optimized reflector thickness and gap between assemblies were determined to achieve minimum neutron leakage and void reactivity. The result was a more compact core, where assemblies were designed having 19-fuel pins in 1.25 pitch-to-diameter ratio. Optimum reflector thickness of 15 cm resulted in minimal neutron leakage in view of economic limitations. A 0.5 cm gap between assembles achieved more safety and 2.2% enrichment requirements. The present feasibility study suggests a thermal core of acceptable neutronic parameters to achieve a simple and safe core.     

Project of the ultracold and cold neutron source at the WWR-M reactor with superfluid helium as a moderator

The WWR-M reactor of the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute provides a unique opportunity for creating conditions of low radiative heat release (～4 × 10^?3 W/g) at a sufficiently high neutron flux (～3 × 10¹² neutrons/(cm² s)). This opportunity can be implemented in the reactor thermal column, which represents a 1-m-diameter channel adjacent to the reactor core. This diameter of the channel allows the arrangement of the core gamma shielding made of bismuth (15 cm thick), a graphite premoderator (300 dm³) at a temperature of 20 K, and a converter with superfluid helium (35 dm³) at a temperature of 1.2 K. Calculations show that the heat release in the source (20 W) can be removed by pumping helium vapor, and the density of ultracold neutrons in an experimental trap will be ～10⁴ neutrons/cm³, which is higher than that of existing sources of ultracold neutrons by two to three orders of magnitude.     

高温堆球流模拟在堆物理中的应用

介绍了高温气冷球床反应堆物理计算中燃料元件流动特性模拟的方法,对10MW高温堆进行了计算,与未考虑堆芯中燃料曲线流动的简化计算结果进行了比较。     

掠过双板流动引起的旋涡脱落特性数值模拟

板状燃料组件在先进核反应堆中得到重要应用.流体以一定的流速轴掠板状组件时会导致板后产生旋涡脱落现象.旋涡脱落有可能引发板状燃料组件的流致振动.使用BELIEF程序,通过改变方柱间距模拟了Re=200情况下刚性矩形通道内不同节距条件下双平行方柱的旋涡脱落现象,得出了双柱间节距对双平行方柱旋涡脱落特性的影响,并进一步对双平...     

177堆芯24个月换料可行性研究

与18个月换料相比,压水堆核电站24个月换料能减少大修次数,提高机组负荷因子,增加发电量。基于装载177组件的堆芯,通过提高新燃料组件富集度和增加批换料组件数使堆芯循环长度达到24个月换料周期要求,考虑实际24个月换料和名义24个月换料高低两种电厂可利用因子。考虑燃料组件费用、大修费用、乏燃料处理费用和发电收益等进行换料方案经济性分析评估,并和典型18个月换料经济性作比较。177堆芯平衡循环装载88组富集度为4.95%的燃料组件,能满足名义24个月换料循环长度的需要,组件平均卸料燃耗约48 GWd/tU;装载104个燃料组件的堆芯能满足实际24个换料循环长度的要求,堆芯参数满足相关安全限值要求。结果表明,177堆芯24个月换料具有可行性,其高负荷因子下的经济性与18个月换料相当。     

Optimization Study of the IBR-2 Reactor

The article considers the neutronics aspect of the IBR-2 reactor optimization: whether it is possible in theory to create an IBR-2-type reactor with a neutron flux in beams above the existing 0.5 × 1013 n/(cm2 s). The calculations have shown that the thermal neutron flux theoretically can be increased to (2.0−2.5) × 1013 n/(cm2 s), but only with a complete change in the reactor design: reducing the core volume, replacing the fuel type with a denser one, and changing the beam extraction system from radial to tangential. The technical implementation of these requirements is currently a challenge.     

PCM软件包燃料组件弯曲模型的开发及验证北大核心CSCD

燃料组件在反应堆内受压紧力等作用会发生弯曲,该弯曲会显著改变反应堆局部位置的中子慢化。基于中广核核设计软件包PCM中的组件中子截面计算软件PINE和堆芯核设计软件COCO,开发了专门的燃料组件弯曲模型,以分析燃料组件弯曲对堆芯局部功率分布的影响,并和蒙特卡罗软件JMCT做了对比验证计算。计算结果表明,PCM软件包燃料组件弯曲模型的计算结果与JMCT吻合良好,该软件包可以用于燃料组件弯曲的分析计算。燃料组件的弯曲对于堆芯的局部功率分布有显著的影响,需要在设计中予以特别关注。     

超高燃耗常规快堆堆芯物理概念设计

为了比较常规快堆与行波堆的堆芯特性,以最大卸料燃耗300 000 MWd/tHM为目标,设计了高燃耗快堆 (HBFR),给出了堆芯的物理学设计方案。采用六批换料方式补偿燃耗反应性损失。选择NAS程序计算了冷停堆状态、热停堆状态和满功率状态三种不同堆芯状态,分析了临界参数、功率分布、DPA特性、温度和功率反应性特性、控制棒价值等堆芯参数。设计结果表明,HBFR的燃料组件最大卸料燃耗接近300 000 MWd/tHM,平均卸料燃耗219 000 MWd/tHM,单循环燃耗反应性损失3.7%(k是有效增殖因子,k是有效增殖因子的变化量),可以通过补偿棒实现反应性控制,HBFR的各参数满足设计目标与设计限值,可以为下一步与行波堆的比较研究提供参考堆芯。     

新型钍基熔盐堆堆芯方案及燃耗分析

采用自主开发的SONG/TANG-MSR栅格/堆芯分析程序对新型钍基熔盐堆（TMSR）进行堆芯布置与燃耗分析计算。根据前期的栅格分析相关工作,TMSR采用了无铍（BeF2）燃料熔盐、氧化铍慢化剂以及碳化硅包壳,并在组件栅格初步优化分析的基础上,通过全堆芯计算对熔盐栅格进一步优化和分析,给出了堆芯三区布置方案。该方案具有较高的增殖比,负的功率系数,以及较平的温度分布。根据该堆芯方案,在考虑熔盐在线处理情况下进行了熔盐燃耗计算分析。结果表明,堆芯具有较高的增殖比、较短的倍增时间以及长期稳定运行能力。新型的钍基熔盐设计大大提高了增殖性能,同时又确保堆芯具有足够的安全性能。     

基于VERA基准题的cosRMC程序验证

为了验证反应堆物理软件和方法的计算能力,美国CASL (Consortium for Advanced Simulation of LWRs) 项目提出了VERA (Virtual Environment for Reactor Application) 堆芯物理基准题。该基准题以Watts Bar初始堆芯为模型,涵盖从二维单栅元到三维全堆芯的燃耗及换料的十个基准问题。针对VERA基准题模型,利用COSINE软件包中的反应堆蒙特卡罗分析程序cosRMC进行临界计算,得到了有效增殖因子、组件功率分布、控制棒微积分价值和反应性系数等结果。通过与基准题中提供的KENO结果对比,两种蒙特卡罗程序的计算结果吻合良好。这表明cosRMC程序具有从组件到堆芯的计算能力,其临界计算精度基本与KENO程序相当。     

Cumulative fission yield measurements with 14.7 MeV neutrons on 238U

The fission yield data in the 14 MeV energy neutron induced fission of ²³⁸U play an important role in decay heat calculations and generation-IV reactor designs. In order to accurately measure fission product yields (FPYs) of ²³⁸U induced by 14 MeV neutrons, the cumulative yields of fission products ranging from ⁹²Sr to ¹⁴⁷Nd in the ²³⁸U(n, f) reaction with a 14.7 MeV neutron were determined using an off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique. The 14.7 MeV quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam was provided by the K-400 D-T neutron generator at China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP). Fission products were measured by a low background high purity germanium gamma spectrometer. The neutron flux was obtained from the ⁹³Nb (n, 2n)^92mNb reaction, and the mean neutron energy was calculated using the cross-section ratios for the ⁹⁰Zr(n, 2n)⁸⁹Zr and ⁹³Nb(n, 2n)^92mNb reactions. With a series of corrections, high precision cumulative yields of 20 fission products were obtained. Our FPYs for the ²³⁸U(n, f) reaction at 14.7 MeV were compared with the existing experimental nuclear reaction data and evaluated nuclear data, respectively. The results will be helpful in the design of a generation-IV reactor and the construction of evaluated fission yield databases.     

Assessment of sensitivity of neutron-physical parameters of fast neutron reactor to purification of reprocessed fuel from minor actinides

The work is devoted to computational investigation of the dependence of basic physical parameters of fast neutron reactors on the degree of purification of plutonium from minor actinides obtained as a result of pyroelectrochemical reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and used for manufacturing MOX fuel to be reloaded into the reactors mentioned. The investigations have shown that, in order to preserve such important parameters of a BN-800 type reactor as the criticality, the sodium void reactivity effect, the Doppler effect, and the efficiency of safety rods, it is possible to use the reprocessed fuel without separation of minor actinides for refueling (recharging) the core.     

First principles study of nuclear quadrupole interactions in the molecular solid BF3 and the nature of binding between the molecules

The LPCTrap facility is coupled to the low-energy beam line LIRAT of the SPIRAL source at GANIL (France). The facility comprises an RFQ trap for beam preparation and a transparent Paul trap for in-trap decay studies. The system has been tested for several ion species. The Paul trap has been fully characterized for ⁶Li⁺ and ²³Na⁺ ions. This characterization together with GEANT4 simulations of the in-trap decay setup (Paul trap and detection system) has permitted to predict the effect of the size of the ion cloud on the decay study of ⁶He⁺.     

Radiation effect of neutrons produced by D–D side reactions on a D–3He fusion reactor

One of the most important characteristics in D–³He fusion reactors is neutron production via D–D side reactions. The neutrons can activate structural material, degrading them and ultimately converting them into high-level radioactive waste, while it is really costly and difficult to remove them. The neutrons from a fusion reactor could also be used to make weapons-grade nuclear material, rendering such types of fusion reactors a serious proliferation hazard. A related problem is the presence of radioactive elements such as tritium in D–³He plasma, either as fuel for or as products of the nuclear reactions; substantial quantities of radioactive elements would not only pose a general health risk, but tritium in particular would also be another proliferation hazard. The problems of neutron radiation and radioactive element production are especially interconnected because both would result from the D–D side reaction. Therefore, the presentation approach for reducing neutrons via D–D nuclear side reactions in a D–³He fusion reactor is very important. For doing this research, energy losses and neutron power fraction in D–³He fusion reactors are investigated. Calculations show neutrons produced by the D–D nuclear side reaction could be reduced by changing to a more ³He-rich fuel mixture, but then the bremsstrahlung power loss fraction would increase in the D–³He fusion reactor.     

Measurements of Fission and Radioactive Capture Reaction Rates Inside the Fuel of the Ipen/MB-01

This work presents the measures of the nuclear reaction rates along the radial direction of the fuel pellet by irradiation and posterior gamma spectrometry of a thin slice of fuel pellet of UO₂ at 4.3% enrichment. From its irradiation, the rate of radioactive capture and fission had been measured as a function of the radius of the pellet disk using a Ortec GMX HPGe detector. Lead collimators had been used for this purpose. Simulating the fuel pellet in the pin fuel of the IPEN/MB-01 reactor, a thin UO₂ disk is used, being inserted in the interior of a dismountable fuel rod. This fuel rod is then placed in the central position of the IPEN/MB-01 reactor core and irradiated during 1 h under a neutron flux of 5 ×10⁸ n/cm² s. In gamma spectrometry, 10 collimators with different diameters have been used; consequently, the nuclear reactions of radioactive capture that occurs in atoms of ²³⁸U and the fission that occurs on both ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U are measured in function of 10 different regions (diameter of collimator) of the UO₂ fuel pellet disk. Nuclear fission produces different fission products such as ¹⁴³Ce with a yield fission of 5.9% which decay is monitored in this work. Corrections in geometric efficiency due to introduction of collimators on HPGe detection system were estimated using photon transport of MCNP-4C code. Some calculated values of nuclear reaction rate of radioactive capture and fission along the radial direction of the fuel pellet obtained by Monte Carlo methodology, using the MCNP-4C code, are presented and compared to the experimental data showing very good agreement.     

氮化铀热中子截面的第一性原理计算

氮化铀（UN）因其较好的热物性和耐事故容错性成为先进动力堆的候选燃料,但目前热能区缺少可靠的UN热中子截面数据,这对于热中子反应堆物理计算是很不利的.本文基于量子力学的第一性原理,利用VASP/PHONON软件模拟计算了UN的声子态密度,以此为积分得到UN的定容比热容,并基于新制作的声子态密度,采用核截面处理程序NJOY/LEAPR,利用热中子散射理论,得到UN的S（α,β）数据,进而研究UN的热中子散射截面,并与传统压水堆的二氧化铀（UO₂）进行对比.结果表明：优化的晶格参数与数据库符合较好,UN声子态密度的声子项和光子项较UO₂的分隔更加明显,定容比热容计算结果与实验值一致,基于该声子态密度计算得到的UN中²³⁸U的非弹性散射和弹性散射截面比相同温度下UO₂中²³⁸U小,UN中N仅考虑了非相干散射部分,随着温度升高,UN弹性散射截面变小,非弹性散射变大,并在高能段趋于自由核散射截面.本文的研究结果填补了UN热中子截面数据的缺失,为下一步系统研究UN燃料在轻水堆中的中子学性能奠定了基础.     

Optimization of microstructured fibers with germanium-doped core for broad normal dispersion range

We have numerically studied different designs of technologically feasible microstructured fibers with a germanium-doped core in order to obtain normal dispersion reaching possibly far in the mid infrared. Hexagonal, Kagome and the combination of both geometries were numerically examined with respect to different constructional parameters like pitch distance, filling factor of air holes, number of layers surrounding the core, and level of germanium doping in the core. Our analysis showed that the broadest range of normal dispersion reaching 2.81?μm, while keeping an effective mode area smaller than 30?μm², was achieved for a hexagonal lattice and a 40?mol% GeO₂ doped core. The proposed fibers designs can be used in generation of a normal dispersion supercontinuum reaching the mid-IR region.     

Polarization properties of rectangular lattice photonic crystal fiber

In this paper, polarization properties and propagation characteristics of rectangular lattice photonic crystal fibers with elliptical air-holes are investigated by using the full-vector finite element method with anisotropic perfectly matched layers. Numerical results show that the birefringence of the fiber is induced by asymmetries of the cladding. Moreover, by adjusting its structure parameters, such as the hole pitch Λ, and the air-hole elliptical rate η, we find the optimized design parameters of the fiber with high birefringence (the order of 10⁻²) and limited polarization mode dispersion, operating in a single mode region at an appropriate wavelength range.     

Transport of a quantum degenerate heteronuclear Bose-Fermi mixture in a harmonic trap

We report on the simultaneous transport of mixed quantum degenerate gases of bosonic ⁸⁷Rb and fermionic ⁴⁰ K in a harmonic potential. The samples are transported over a distance of to the geometric center of a Ioffe-Pritchard type magnetic trap. This transport mechanism was implemented by modification of the QUIC trap and is free of losses and heating. It significantly extends the capabilities of this trap design. We demonstrate a launching mechanism for quantum degenerate samples and show that highly homogeneous magnetic fields can be created in the center of the QUIC trap. The transport mechanism may also be cascaded to cover even larger distances for interferometric experiments with quantum degenerate samples.