Xenon oscillation in SCWRs

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 457 - 462
• Main Authors: Reiss, T., Fehér, S., Czifrus, Sz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Coupled neutronics–thermal hydraulics; Differential equations; Doppler effect; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Homogenizing; Hydraulics; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Modules; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear reactor components; Oscillations; SCWR; Xenon; Xenon oscillation; Xenon oscillation; SCWR; Coupled neutronics–thermal hydraulics; Coolant; Differential equation; Xenon; Cross section (collision); Modeling; Nuclear reactor; Water cooled reactor; Oscillation; Thermohydraulics; Poisoning; Coupled neutronics-thermal hydraulics; Pressurized water reactor
• ISSN: 0149-1970
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2011.03.004

Xenon oscillation in Supercritical Water Cooled Reactors is analyzed in this paper. Due to the global nature of this phenomenon full-detail models are not necessary. A program system has been developed with a neutronics module – using SCALE with a cross section homogenization process – coupled to a thermal hydraulics module completed with the xenon poisoning differential equations. The two most important feedbacks – coolant temperature and Doppler – are examined separately to acquire a full picture of the nature of the oscillations. It is found that the one-pass PWR-SC and the three-pass HPLWR are stable against xenon oscillations. ► Xenon oscillation in Supercritical Water Cooled Reactors. ► One-pass and three-pass SCWR concepts examined. ► Coupled neutronics–thermal hydraulics program with xenon poisoning equations. ► Coolant temperature feedback does not dampen the xenon oscillations. ► Doppler feedback suppresses the xenon oscillations.