Radiation Physics and Engineering
A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Thermo-hydraulic feasibility study for the power-upgraded of Tehran Research Reactor compact core

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Maryam Jafarbiglu 1
Ahmad Lashkari 2

1 Department of Physics, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-4416, Tehran, Iran

2 Nuclear Reactor and Safety School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2025.520026.1269
Abstract
This study investigates the power upgrade of the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) to enhance neutron flux for various applications. Two strategies are proposed: (1) utilizing spent fuel for economic feasibility and (2) adopting a compact core layout to maximize neutron flux. Neutronic simulations reveal that the compact core with 26 fuel assemblies can safely operate at 8.5 MW, achieving a thermal neutron flux greater than 1.5×1014 n.cm-2·s-1. Thermal-hydraulic analysis shows that, with a power peaking factor (PPF) of 2.7, safety criteria are met at 8.5 MW. Reducing the power to 8.3 MW ensures full compliance with all safety requirements. Under a conservative approach with a PPF of 3.0, a safe operational power of 7.5 MW is achievable. Moreover, lowering the coolant inlet temperature by 3 °C improves reactor performance, allowing safe operation at 8.5 MW, with potential to exceed 9 MW at high mass flow rates while maintaining safety margins.

Highlights

  • Two upgrade strategies: reuse of spent fuel and compact core design for enhanced neutron flux.
  • Compact core with 26 fuel assemblies operates safely at 8.5 MW, achieving >1.5×1014 n.cm−2.s−1 thermal flux.
  • Thermal-hydraulic analysis confirms safety at 8.5 MW with PPF = 2.7 and full compliance at 8.3 MW.
  • Conservative analysis (PPF = 3.0) allows safe operation at 7.5 MW.
  • Lowering coolant inlet temperature by 3 °C enables safe operation at 8.5 MW and potential for >9 MW.

Keywords

TRR
MTR_PC
CITVAP code
Compact core
Power peaking factor (PPF)
Coolant inlet temperature

 

Copyright
RPE is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Conflict of Interest

‎The authors declare no potential conflict of interest regarding the publication of this work‎.

Funding

‎The authors declare that no funds‎, ‎grants‎, ‎or other financial support were received during the preparation of this manuscript‎.

 

 
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Radiation Physics and Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 29-37

  • Receive Date 29 April 2025
  • Revise Date 02 June 2025
  • Accept Date 14 July 2025

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