An OpenMC model for the analysis of a 100 MWe sodium fast reactor with gas expansion modules for additional passive safety
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Date
2024-08
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Sodium fast reactors (SFR) have a rich history in North America and are still prevalent in advanced reactor designs such as the ARC-100, a Canadian design planned for construction at Point Lepreau, New Brunswick. A 100 MWe SFR was modeled in OpenMC to investigate the incorporation of gas expansion modules (GEMs) for additional passive safety and potential for medical isotope production. It was found that 12 GEM assemblies located on the periphery of the core introduce -4.8 ± 0.06 mk of reactivity, equivalent to -75 ± 1 cents. The fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity was found to be -0.022 ± 0.003 mk⋅K -1, while the coolant and structural materials do not noticeably influence reactivity. As expected, decreases in assembly and pin diameters increase reactivity by increasing power density. The passive safety characteristics of sodium fast reactors were affirmed, and GEMs were shown to be an effective mechanism for introducing negative reactivity.