Towards a pilot reactor

The purpose of this study is to charaterize a prototype Hybrid Reactor. This work is the result of a collaboration between CNRS, CEA and Framatome. The prototype of the hybrid reactor is cooled by gas (Helium). The active core is a hexagonal lattice of fuel surrounding the reactor thimble which contains the proton beam (see figure).

 

Figure 1: Simplified Representation of the prototype core.

Our aims are the optimization of the main neutronics parameters and multiplication factors like k_eff, k_s and $\phi$*, which describe the state of the system. With this goal, we have performed detailed Monte Carlo simulations, based on the MCNP 4B code, of different realistic geometrical configurations of the core.

In parallel, a study is carried out to optimize the coupling of the spallation source and the active core in order to reduce the proton beam intensity.

Publication of Results


D.Kerdraon, A.Billebaud, R.Brissot, B.Carluec, S.David, D.Heuer, C.Le Brun, E.Liatard, J-M Loiseaux, O.Méplan, E.Merle, H.Nifenecker, D.Verrier
Characterization and Extrapolation of a Conceptual Experimental Accelerator Driven System
published in Progress in Nuclear Energy, Volume 42, No 1, pp 11-24, 2003. PDF Version

D. Kerdraon
Optimisation par simulation du couplage entre un réacteur sous-critique et sa source de spallation. Application à un démonstrateur.
PhD thesis presented 26 october 2001 at ISN PDF Version

Last page update: 21 February 2003