Sensitivity/uncertainty comparison and similarity analysis between TMSR-LF1 and MSR models. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yafen; Yan, Rui; Zou, Yang; Yu, Shihe; Zhou, Bo; Kang, Xuzhong; Hu, Jifeng; Cai, Xiangzhou
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 122(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: TMSR-LF1 -- MSR -- Sensitivity/uncertainty -- Similarity -- SCALE 6.1/TSUNAMI -- Covariance data; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2020.103289
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract : TMSR-LF1 (Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor-Liquid Fuel) is the reactor chosen to be developed in the "Thorium molten salt reactor nuclear energy system" project of the Strategic Priority Program launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The software and data library adopted in its design needs to be verified and validated by using benchmarks. In order to guarantee the validity of the verification results, the being-designed reactor should have similarity (index C k and E ≥ 0.8) with the benchmark reactor. Using TSUNAMI module and in SCALE 6.1, the Sensitivity/Uncertainty (S/U) analyses and similarity assessments were performed in TMSR-LF1 and the candidate benchmark reactors: MSRE (Molten Salt Reactor Experiment), MSBR (Molten Salt Breeder Reactor) and the Critical Experiment Device (hereafter the device). Uncertainty was calculated using both SCALE and TMSR 44-group covariance data. It is found that the total eigenvalue uncertainties deduced from covariance data in TMSR-LF1 and the candidate benchmark reactors satisfy the ±1% design accuracy requirement proposed by M. Ishikawa in 2008, except in MSBR. To meet the accuracy of ±0.3%, targeted experiments for TMSR are needed. The covariance data of 7 Li, C-graphite, 58 Ni and 19 F were the main contributors to the uncertainty of effective multiplication factor as well as the covariance data of fuel nuclides. The calculated similarity indices indicated that there was a good similarity ( C k and E > 0.9) between TMSR-LF1 and MSRE, and a lesser similarity between TMSR-LF1 and the device ( C k and E > 0.8). The uncertainties should be improved and more benchmarks for the direct verification and validation should be provided by relevant experiments. Highlights: TMSR-LF1, the experimental molten salt reactor to be built in China. Sensitivity/Uncertainty analysis for TMSR-LF1 and MSRE, MSBR and the Critical Experiment Device for MSR research. Similarity assessment for TMSR-LF1 and these MSR models. The uncertainties due to covariance data need to be improved meet the accuracy of ±0.3% for MSRs.