A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Nuclear Engineering, Islamic Azad University Science & Research Bosher Branch, Bosher, Iran

2 Nuclear Science and Technology

3 Reactor & Nuclear Safety School, Radiation Application Department, Nuclear Engineering Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Kinetic and neutronic parameters play an important role in analysis of reactors dynamic behavior. Some of these parameters include: effective multiplication factor (keff), reactivity (ρ), neutron flux as well as power spatial distributions, effective delayed neutron fraction (βeff) and prompt neutron lifetime (lp ). In this work, Monte Carlo modeling and analysis of Isfahan MNSR is performed for calculation of the kinetic and neutronic parameters of using MCNPX2.6 code, slope fit and perturbation methods. Relative differences between results of the MCNPX2.6 code in calculation of the ρ and βeff and the reference values are about 0.5% and 2.1%, respectively. The relative differences between the results of the slope fit and perturbation methods and MCNPX2.6 code in calculation of the parameter with the reference values are about 17.6%, 4.8% and 29.19%, respectively. Therefore, the results of these research show that the MCNPX2.6 code is suitable for calculation of the reactor kinetic parameters such as the βeff, while the perturbation method is a simple and convenient method for calculating the .

Highlights

  • Neutronic and kinetic parameters are calculated in Isfahan MNSR by MCNPX code.
  • These parameters play a very important role in analysis of the dynamic behavior of the reactors.
  • The slope fit and perturbation methods and MCNPX2.6 code have been used.
  • Perturbation method is a simple and convenient method for calculating the prompt neutron lifetime.

Keywords

Abtin, F., Feghhi, S., and Jafarikia, S. (2013). Neutronic evaluations for MNSR research reactor core conversion from HEU to LEU. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 51:69–73.
Arkani, M., Hassanzadeh, M., and Khakshournia, S. (2016). Calculation of six-group importance weighted delayed neutron fractions and prompt neutron lifetime of MTR research reactors based on Monte Carlo method. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 88:352–363.
Bretscher, M. (1998). Evaluation of reactor kinetic parameters without the need for perturbation codes. Technical report, Argonne National Lab., IL (US).
Chengzhanm, G., Yongchun, G., Xianfa, Z., et al. (1993). Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for the Syrian Miniature Neutron Source Reactor, China institute of Atomic Energy Report. Technical report, MNSR-GN-2.
Eriksson, M. (2005). Accelerator-driven systems: safety and kinetics. PhD thesis, KTH.
Faghihi, F. and Mirvakili, S. (2009). Burn up calculations for the Iranian miniature reactor: a reliable and safe research reactor. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 239(6):1000–1009.
Feghhi, S., Shahriari, M., and Afarideh, H. (2007). Calculation of neutron importance function in fissionable assemblies using Monte Carlo method. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 34(6):514–520.
Feghhi, S., Shahriari, M., and Afarideh, H. (2008). Calculation of the importance-weighted neutron generation time using MCNIC method. Annals of nuclear energy, 35(8):1397-1402.
Hassanzadeh, M., Feghhi, S., and Khalafi, H. (2013). Calculation of kinetic parameters in an accelerator driven subcritical TRIGA reactor using MCNIC method. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 59:188–193.
Mathworks (2011). MATLAB reference guide. The Math Works Inc.
Nifenecker, H., Meplan, O., and David, S. (2003). Accelerator driven subcritical reactors. CRC Press.
Pelowitz, D. B. (2008). MCNPX user’s manual, version 2.6.0, LA-CP-07-1473. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos (NM).
Persson, C.-M. (2007). Reactivity Assessment in Subcritical Systems. PhD thesis, KTH.
Snoj, L., Kavˇciˇc, A., ˇZerovnik, G., and Ravnik, M. (2008). Monte Carlo calculation of kinetic parameters for the TRIGA Mark II research reactor. Nuclear Energy for New Europe.
Verboomen, B., Haeck, W., and Baeten, P. (2006). Monte Carlo calculation of the effective neutron generation time. Annals of nuclear energy, 33(10):911–916.