Full-Core Evaluation of Uranium-Based Fuels Augmented with Small Amounts of Thorium in Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactors

Colton, Ashlea V.; Bromley, Blair P.

doi:10.13182/nt16-70

Cited by 27 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…To simplify the analysis, the PT-HWR cores are modeled without reactivity devices (such as adjuster rods, liquid zone controllers, shut-off rods, or guide tubes). This approach is consistent with what was done in previous deterministic modeling with RFSP [7][8][9]. While the removal of the reactivity devices dramatically simplifies the modeling, particularly for MCNP, and makes the comparisons between RFSP and MCNP much more straight-forward, it should be noted that future analyses will need to include reactivity devices since their impact on the power shape within the core could potentially impact the core design for Th-based fuels.…”

Section: Description Of Lattice Cell and Reactor Core Geometriessupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Previous work in Canada [2][3][4] identified that pressure tube heavy-water reactors (PT-HWRs) are well-suited for exploiting the energy potential in thorium-based fuels due to their high neutron economy with heavywater moderator/coolant and online refueling capability. In more recent studies in Canada [5][6][7][8][9][10] various Th-based fuels and U-based fuels augmented by small amounts of Th were evaluated for potential for use in a 700-MWe-class PT-HWR with 380 channels, and 12 bundles per channel operating at 2061 MW th [11].…”

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In previous analyses [7][8][9], RFSP modeling studies were performed for PT-HWR cores with U-based fuels augmented by small amounts of Th and Th-based fuels mixed with small amounts of various fissile materials. The RFSP deterministic code was used to perform time-average equilibrium core physics and refueling simulations.…”

Section: Mcnp Core Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…distribution map [18]. For more information on the irradiation/burnup distributions in PT-HWR cores, as determined from RFSP modeling and analyses of various cores using Ubased fuels augmented by small amounts of Th and Th-based fuels, one can refer to the studies described in Colton et al [7] and Colton and Bromley [8,9]. Sample exit fuel irradiation data for core CC-00/LC-01 are shown in Figure A1 in Appendix A.…”

Section: Development Of Simplified Core Irradiation/mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling Studies and Code-to-Code Comparisons for Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactor Cores

et al. 2018

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Preliminary, conceptual studies have been performed previously using deterministic lattice physics (WIMS-AECL) and core physics codes (RFSP) to estimate performance and safety characteristics of various thorium-based fuels and uranium-based fuels augmented by small amounts of thorium for use in pressure tube heavy-water reactors (PT-HWRs). To confirm the validity of the results, the WIMS-AECL/RFSP results are compared against predictions made with the stochastic neutron transport code MCNP. This paper describes the development of a method for setting up an MCNP core model of at PT-HWR for comparison with WIMS-AECL/RFSP results, using a core with 37-element natural uranium fuel bundles as a test case for sensitivity studies. These studies included evaluating the sensitivity of the bias of the effective neutron multiplication factor (keff), a source convergence study, uncertainties correction with multiple independent simulations, the impact of irradiation map binning methods, and the impact of reflector models. A Python-based software scripting tool was developed to automate the creation, execution, and post-processing of reactor physics data from the MCNP models. The software tool and algorithm for creating an MCNP core model using data from the WIMS-AECL and RFSP models are described in this paper. Based on the preliminary evaluations of the simulation parameters with the base model, reactor physics analyses were performed for PT-HWR cores with thorium-based fuels in a 35-element bundle type. Code-to-code results demonstrate good agreement between MCNP and RFSP, giving confidence in the method developed and its applicability to other fuels and core types.

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Section: Description Of Lattice Cell and Reactor Core Geometriessupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Background and Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mcnp Core Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Development Of Simplified Core Irradiation/mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling Studies and Code-to-Code Comparisons for Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactor Cores

et al. 2018

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“…Based on the review in Section 5, the issue of identifying and developing thorium-based fuel concepts that enhance resource utilization and that are comparable, or lower in cost, to the use of uranium (natural or enriched) was a gap. Recent work by Colton et al [172,173] identified a slightly enriched uranium fuel concept augmented by small amounts of thorium for use in generic pressure tube heavy-water reactors (PT-HWRs) [174]. This concept and others [175,176], may have fuel costs lower than natural uranium fuel.…”

Section: Developing More Economical Thorium-based Fuel Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Canadian Perspective of the Economic Issues Associated With Deploying Thorium-Based Fuel Cycles and Breeding in Heavy-Water Reactors

España

Bromley

2019

CNL Nuclear Review

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To meet future global needs for energy and green technology, it is prudent to identify energy sources and technology that may potentially be economically beneficial. Thorium-based fuels with nuclear technology, such as the Canadian heavy-water reactor, have been proposed as a way to meet those global needs, though economic challenges persist in deploying thorium-based fuels. Therefore, economic strategies to overcome the economic challenges in deploying thorium-based fuels are needed. To identify potential strategies for advancing the deployment of thorium-based fuels, this paper conducts a historical examination of the economics of thorium fuel cycles to identify economic factors that can influence a country’s development of thorium-based fuel cycles. In particular, this paper reviews the economic issues associated with Canada’s experience in deploying thorium-based fuel cycles. The study finds that the existence of natural resources and the associated price, a nuclear fuel cycle’s costs, a country’s international trade balance position and economic growth policies, the profitability of the electrical power and nuclear industry, and the technical and economical characteristics of the nuclear reactor developed in a country may all influence the adoption of a thorium-based fuel cycle. Furthermore, recent advancements in developing thorium-based fuel cycles are suggested as a possible way of bridging the technical and economic gap between near-term and long-term implementation of thorium-based fuel cycles that may overcome current economic challenges.

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Code-to-code comparisons of lattice physics calculations for thorium-augmented and thorium-based fuels in pressure tube heavy water reactors

Colton

Dugal

Bromley

et al. 2017

Annals of Nuclear Energy

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Full-Core Evaluation of Uranium-Based Fuels Augmented with Small Amounts of Thorium in Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactors

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Modeling Studies and Code-to-Code Comparisons for Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactor Cores

Modeling Studies and Code-to-Code Comparisons for Pressure Tube Heavy Water Reactor Cores

A Canadian Perspective of the Economic Issues Associated With Deploying Thorium-Based Fuel Cycles and Breeding in Heavy-Water Reactors

Code-to-code comparisons of lattice physics calculations for thorium-augmented and thorium-based fuels in pressure tube heavy water reactors

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