2023, Issue 1

EDN: EQMTTB

Authors & Affiliations

Vnukov R.A.¹, Kotov Ya.A.¹, Nevinitsa V.A.¹, Kolesov V.V.¹, Blandinsky V.Yu.¹, Lapin A.S.¹, Kuzenkova  D.S.¹, Fomichenko P.A.¹, Mikhailov G.M.², Korobeynikova L.V.², Bur’evsky I.V.², Stogov V.Yu.², Shaginyan R.A.², Eliseev  V.A.², Gulevich A.V.^2
1 National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia
² A.I. Leipunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia

Vnukov R.A.¹ – Laboratory Assistant Researcher. Contacts: 1, Academic Kurchatov, Moscow, Russia, 123182. Tel.: +7 (910) 604-12-51; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kotov Ya.A.¹ – Senior Researcher.
Nevinitsa V.A.¹ – Head of Department, Cand. Sci, (Tech.).
Kolesov V.V.¹ – Head of the Laboratory, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.).
FomichenkoP.A.¹ – Deputy Head of the Complex.
Kuzenkova D.S.¹ – Junior Researcher.
Lapin A.S.¹ – Laboratory Assistant Rresearcher.
Blandinsky V.Yu.¹ – Deputy Head for International Affairs – Scientific Secretary, Cand. Sci, (Tech.).
Mikhailov G.M.²– Head of the Laboratory, Cand. Sci, (Tech.).
Korobeynikova L.V.² – Senior Researcher.
Buryevsky I.V.² – Senior Researcher.
Stogov V.Yu.² – Senior Researcher.
Gulevich A.V.² – Doctor of Science, Deputy Head of Department, Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.).
Eliseev V.A.² – Head of Laboratory, Cand. Sci, (Tech.).
Shaginyan R.A.² – Research Engineer.

Abstract

As part of the research on the possibility of modeling the core of the VVER-SKD reactor at the BFS, a computational model was created for inserting into the central part of the assembly and surrounding tubes driver so as to provide an opportunity to experimentally measure a number of parameters of such a system corresponding to the computational model of the VVER-SKD reactor. Work was carried out on the identification and ranking of neutron-physical phenomena of the VVER-SKD for experimental modeling and the configuration of the assembly of the BFS with a driver and experimental devices – Experimental Subassemblies Mockups (EMS) was selected .
The aim of the work was to select the configuration of the critical assembly corresponding to the nominal parameters of the VVER-SKD coolant. As a possible means of modeling, a fuel rod insertion installed in the center of the facility, simulating a model of the core, was considered. It was surrounded by a driver made of BFS tubes, the composition of which was selected based on the possibility of simulating the nominal mode of coolant in order to form an energy spectrum of neutrons similar to the spectrum of VVER-SKD.
The study took place in several stages. At the first stage, the possibilities of creating a BFS configuration were considered, in which the dependence of the reactivity of the assembly on the density of the coolant has a character similar to VVER-SKD. For this purpose, the dependence of the reactivity of the assembly on the geometric parameters of the experimental devices used – EMS layouts and the isotopic composition of plutonium was investigated.
At the second stage, the parameters of the critical assembly were investigated depending on the configuration of the driver.
At the third stage, the basic physical model of the assembly was developed, which allows measurements of a representative set of neutron-physical characteristics.

Keywords
VVER reactor, critical assembly, VVER-SKD, BFS, neutron energy spectrum, multiplication coefficient, heterogeneous structure, driver, fuel element, reactivity density effect, void reactivity effect, MOX-fuel

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 621.039.55

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2023, no. 1, 1:10