Simple Model for Radial Expansion Reactivity in LMRs (Liquid Metal Reactors)

摘要

Presented in this report is a simple analytical model developed for evaluating the radial expansion reactivity in small modular liquid metal reactors (LMRs). The present model is based on a non-leakage representation of the effective neutron multiplication factor. The resultant analytical expression for the radial expansion reactivity is simple and can be used directly in a system code for safety analyses. Applications of the present model to PRISM and SAFR resulted in a good agreement with the values reported by vendors. This agreement establishes that the large negative reactivity insertion resulting from LMR core radial expansion can be confirmed using a simple analytical approach, and thus is important in the current effort to evaluate the reactor inherent feedbacks for the PRISM and SAFR designs. (ERA citation 13:030328)