Lucy Bland

NEF CDT Student
Department of Engineering
University of Cambridge

Contact: lb831@cam.ac.uk

Sponsor: EPSRC

Exploring the limits of the Random Rays Method in application to multi-physics modelling of advanced reactors

The Random Rays Method (TRRM) has recently been demonstrated to hold significant promise with regards to computational efficiency of analysing criticality and shielding problems. Some of the unique features of the method are modest memory requirements and fast convergence on quantities of interest within the computational domain regardless of its size and complexity. These features make the method particularly attractive for modelling multi-physics systems.

The extent of these advantages, however, has not been fully explored and understood in the context of realistic reactor systems.

My project aims to develop a computational approach based on the TRRM solver implemented in Monte Carlo neutron transport code SCONE, by coupling it with multi-physics solvers such as fuel depletion and thermal hydraulics. Significant computational gains are expected from allowing the convergence of temperature and nuclide density fields in-line with the TRRM neutron flux/fission power convergence iterations.

Intelligent choices for various tuneable parameters within the TRRM will also be explored with the goal of automating these choices rather than relying on the user for providing them.

Finally, the approach will be applied to realistic reactor systems of increasing size and complexity to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the method and its place in the hierarchy (or spectrum) of deterministic and Monte Carlo methods applied to modelling these systems. Both light water reactor designs will be considered as well as a subset of representative advanced reactors such as lead or sodium-cooled reactors.