Influence of an SN solver in a fine-mesh neutronics/thermal- hydraulics framework
Paper in proceeding, 2014

In this paper a study on the influence of a neutron discrete ordinates (SN) solver within a fine-mesh neutronic/thermal-hydraulic methodology is presented. The methodology consists of coupling a neutronic solver with a single-phase fluid solver, and it is aimed at computing the two fields on a three-dimensional (3D) sub-pin level. The cross-sections needed for the neutron transport equations are pre-generated using a Monte Carlo approach. The coupling is resolved in an iterative manner with full convergence of both fields. A conservative transfer of the full 3D information is achieved, allowing for a proper coupling between the neutronic and the thermal-hydraulic meshes on the finest calculated scales. The discrete ordinates solver is benchmarked against a Monte Carlo reference solution for a two-dimensional (2D) system. The results confirm the need of a high number of ordinates, giving a satisfactory accuracy in keff and scalar flux profile applying S16 for 16 energy groups. The coupled framework is used to compare the SN implementation and a solver based on the neutron diffusion approximation for a full 3D system of a quarter of a symmetric, 7x7 array in an infinite lattice setup. In this case, the impact of the discrete ordinates solver shows to be significant for the coupled system, as demonstrated in the calculations of the temperature distributions.

fine-mesh

discrete ordinates method

sub-pin cross-section generation

coupled neutronics/thermal-hydraulics

Author

Klas Jareteg

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering

Paolo Vinai

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering

Christophe Demaziere

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering

Srdjan Sasic

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics

Proceedings of the International Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2014

Subject Categories

Other Engineering and Technologies

Areas of Advance

Energy

Infrastructure

C3SE (Chalmers Centre for Computational Science and Engineering)

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