Senstivity of Lattice Physics Modelling of the Canadian PT-SCWR to Changes in Lateral Coolant Density Gradients in a Channel

Abstract

The Pressure Tube Super Critical Water Reactor (PT-SCWR) is a design with a light water coolant operating at 25 MPa above the thermodynamic critical pressure, with a separated low pressure and temperature moderator, facilitated by a High E ciency Channel consisting of a pressure tube and a porous ceramic insulator tube. The 2011 AECL reference design is considered along with a 2012 benchmark. In the 2011 reference design the coolant is permitted to ow through the insulator. The insulator region has a temperature gradient from 881 K at the inner liner tube to 478 K at the pressure tube wall. The density of light water varies by an order of magnitude depending on the local enthalpy of the uid. The lateral coolant density is estimated as a radial function at ve axial positions with the lattice physics codes WIMS-AECL and Serpent. The lateral coolant density variations in the insulator region of the PT-SCWR cause strong reactivity and CVR e ects which vary heavily on axial location due to the changes in the estimated mass of coolant and the physical relocation of the coolant closer to the moderator, as the coolant is estimated to be least dense closer to the fuel region of the coolant ow. The beta version of Serpent 2 is used to explore the lateral coolant densities in the subchannel region of the insulator in the 2012 version of the PT-SCWR. A more advanced coolant density analysis with FLUENT is used to estimate the subchannel coolant density variation, which is linked to SERPENT 2s multi-physics interface, allowing the lattice code to measure the sensitivity of the model to the analysis of the subchannels. This analysis increases the reactivity of the PT-SCWR through the displacement of the coolant. Serpent 2 is accepted as a valid lattice code for PT-SCWR analysis.