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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nuclear, Plasma, Radiolgc Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Lee, Alvin J.H.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kozlowski, Tomasz
• Huff, Kathryn D

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

Statement dc:rights

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

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109415