Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ECC-SMART (Joint European Canadian Chinese development of Small Modular Reactor Technology)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-03-01 bis 2023-08-31
The pre-conceptual design of SCW-SMR has been further developed and analysed based on the established iterative procedure between WP3, WP4 and WP2. The reference database has been extended by two benchmarking activities that contributed to further improvement and validation of system-, subchannel- and CFD-codes. The core layout and passive safety concept of the SCW-SMR as well as Canadian and Chinese design concepts have been developed. These codes are subsequently applied for detailed reactor physics and system thermal hydraulics analysis of suggested design concepts.
Thus, the Serpent reactor model was upgraded to produce more realistic power, temperature, and density profiles, essential for current and future calculations. The model involves several variables e.g. different uranium enrichment, the geometry of fuel assembly, temperature of moderator, application of neutron reflectors, and effect of burnable absorber that needs to be considered. Reactivity feedback coefficients regarding the coolant, moderator and fuel temperatures were determined for the whole reactor model (globally) and each heat-up stage (locally). The temperature coefficients were negative which serves the inherent safety of the reactor. Reactivity feedback coefficients are vital for predicting reactor behavior during incidents, necessitating model adjustments for safe and reliable operation.
Furthermore, coupled APROS-SERPENT calculations were carried out to determine certain parameters, especially the peak cladding temperature. The preliminary core optimisation process has been continued with further calculations regarding reactivity control and power distribution improvement. Calculated parameters and their responses to model changes or burnup scenarios offer valuable insights for future model development. Monte Carlo reactor core models, optimized for neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, safety, and economics, are continually examined and improved.
The selected data and experiences from technical WPs have been used for establishing of Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT). The PIRT analysis will supplement a pre-licensing study which is also being developed based on the identified regulations. In addition, PIRT will provide a good indication of key obstacles to licensing and will be useful in the next steps of design, analyses and safety assessment of ECC-SMART. The progress of the project is further described in 12 published peer-reviewed open-access scientific papers. An intensive involvement of the Advisory Board members provides the consortium with constructive feedback and support.