Modernization and Expansion of Isotopic Depletion Capabilities within the NESTLE 3D Nodal Simulator

摘要

The above demonstration shows that depletion with the latest version of ORIGEN in NESTLE is operational and verifies consistency with a trusted code for a simple illustration. However, it does not showcase the full capabilities of this feature. In its current state, NESTLE can be made to deplete any number of depletion materials within a given node, provided that the cross section data is available. Thus, if one were interested in depleting an assembly pin-by-pin, it is possible to identify each pin as a unique material in the lattice physics calculation, and NESTLE would track the depletion of each separately. Additionally, depletion materials are not limited to fuel. If it is desirable to calculate the depletion of a burnable absorber or the transmutation of a target for research applications, NESTLE can treat those as well. In fact, the only limitation, so far, is that the depletion material must be stationary within the core. However, removing this limitation is another area of future work with the aim of addressing such issues as control rod depletion in long fuel cycles of small modular reactors and in boiling water reactors.