Development of a Three-Dimensional Time-Dependent Calculation Scheme for Molten Salt Reactors and Validation of the Measurement Data of the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment

TLDR

The study develops and validates a 3‑D time‑dependent neutronics–thermal‑hydraulic model for channel‑type molten salt reactors, benchmarking it against the MSRE natural‑circulation experiment and thermal feedback data. The model couples diffusion‑based reactor physics, including a fuel‑flow term, with a three‑dimensional heat‑conduction equation that links all fuel channels, and is implemented in a custom code to simulate normal operation and debris‑induced transients. Results show that channel‑blocking severity and high moderator temperature gradients strongly influence reactor behavior, and that debris unblocking can trigger large power spikes during the transient.

Abstract

This paper presents the development, validation, and results of a three-dimensional, time-dependent, coupled-neutronics–thermal-hydraulic calculational scheme for channel-type molten salt reactors (MSRs). The reactor physics part is based on diffusion theory, extended by a term representing the flow of the fuel through the core. The calculation of the temperature field is done by modeling all fuel channels, which are coupled to each other by a three-dimensional heat conduction equation. For the purpose of validation, the results of the MSR Experiment (MSRE) natural-circulation experiment and the thermal feedback coefficients of the reactor have been calculated and compared.With the aid of a code system developed to implement this scheme, calculations were carried out for the normal operating state of the MSRE and some debris-induced channel-blocking-incident transients. In the case of the MSRE, it is shown that the severity of such an incident strongly depends on the degree of channel blocking and that high-temperature gradients in the moderator can connect thermally the adjacent fuel channels. Results are included for an unblocking transient (i.e., the debris suddenly exits the core, and the fuel flow reverts to the normal operating pattern), and it was demonstrated that during the unblocking large power peaks can be induced.