Simulation of a molten salt fast reactor using the COMSOL Multiphysics software
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Simulation of a molten salt fast reactor using the COMSOL Multiphysics software D. H. Daher1,2 • M. Kotb1 Abdelfattah Y. Soliman3
•
A. M. Khalaf1
•
Moustafa S. El-Koliel2
•
Received: 26 July 2020 / Revised: 21 October 2020 / Accepted: 22 October 2020 Ó China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. (Science Press), Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Nuclear Society and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
Abstract In this study, COMSOL v5.2 Multiphysics software was utilized to perform coupled neutronics and thermal–hydraulics simulations of a molten salt fast reactor, and the SCALE v6.1 code package was utilized to generate the homogenized cross-section data library. The library’s 238 cross-section groups were categorized into nine groups for the simulations in this study. The results of the COMSOL model under no fuel flow conditions were verified using the SCALE v6.1 code results, and the results of the neutronics and thermal–hydraulics simulations were compared to the results of previously published studies. The results indicated that the COMSOL model that includes the cross-section library generated by the SCALE v6.1 code package is suitable for the steady-state analysis and design assessment of molten salt fast reactors. Subsequently, this model was utilized to investigate the neutronics and thermal–hydraulics behaviors of the reactor. Multiple designs were simulated and analyzed in this model, and the results indicated that even if the wall of the core is curved, hot spots occur in the upper and lower portions of the core’s center near the reflectors. A new design was proposed that utilizes a flow rate distribution system, and the simulation results of this design showed
& M. Kotb [email protected] 1
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
2
Department of Reactors, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
3
Nuclear Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
that the maximum temperature in the core was approximately 1032 K and no hot spots occurred. Keywords Molten salt COMSOL SCALE Neutronics Thermal–hydraulic
1 Introduction Molten salt fast reactors (MSFRs) were found to meet the objectives of Generation IV reactors, including sustainability, fuel resource optimization (utilizing thorium instead of uranium enrichment), non-proliferation, safety, and waste management [1]. An initiative named evaluation and viability of liquid fuel fast reactor system (EVOL) was implemented under the European Atomic Energy Community’s Seventh Framework Program [2, 3], and during the EVOL project, a benchmark reactor was developed for the pre-conceptual MSFR design. The reactor’s specifications and parameters were studied and analyzed to explore the reactor’s operation and capabilities [4]. This study focuses on the design and performance assessment of MSFRs. First, we validated the model using the benchmark results [3]. Subseque
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