Multi-Physics Simulations

We study the steady state and transient behavior of Generation-IV reactor designs using Multi-Physics coupled simulations. Our aim is to seek high-accuracy, geometrically flexible and efficient solutions. For this purpose, we use in-house neutronics tools (diffusion and transport, see the Software page for more details) and in-house developed CFD analysis software. Previously, extensive studies of the gas-cooled graphite-moderated High Temperature Reactor (HTR) have been performed in the framework of various EU projects. The present focus is on the analysis of Molten Salt Reactors (MSR). Specifically within the SAMOFAR EU-project we investigate the safety of the fast spectrum MSR.

Some references:

B. Boer, D. Lathouwers, J.L. Kloosterman, T.H.J.J. van der Hagen, G. Strydom, Validation of the DALTON-THERMIX code system with transient analyses of the HTR-10 and application to the PBMR, Nuclear Technology 170(2), pp. 306-321, 2010.

S.J. De Zwaan, B. Boer, D. Lathouwers, J.L. Kloosterman, Static design of a liquid-salt-cooled pebble bed reactor (LSPBR), Annals of Nuclear Energy 34(1), pp. 83-92, 2007.

J. Kophazi, D. Lathouwers, J.L. Kloosterman, 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, Nuclear Science and Engineering 163(2), pp. 118-131, 2009.

C. Fiorina, D. Lathouwers, M. Aufiero, A. Cammi, C. Guerrieri, J.L. Kloosterman, L. Luzzi, M.E. Ricotti, Modeling and analysis of the MSFR transient behaviour. Annals of Nuclear Energy 64, pp. 485-498, 2014.