FORMOSA-P Three-Dimensional/Two-Dimensional Geometry Collapse Methodology

Abstract

A methodology has been developed whereby a three-dimensional (3-D) geometry, nodal expansion method (NEM), pressurized water reactor (PWR) core simulator model is collapsed to form an equivalent two-dimensional (2-D) geometry model that preserves approximately, but with negligible loss of fidelity, the global quantities and axially integrated reaction rates and surface currents of the 3-D model. In comparison with typical licensed-quality 3-D models, the 2-D collapsed NEM model typically requires a factor of 50 less computational time and exhibits root-mean-square (rms) assembly relative power fraction errors, as compared with the original 3-D model, of 5 × 10–3 over an entire fuel cycle, and average maximum errors over the fuel cycle of 1 × 10–2. The collapse methodology includes a pin reconstruction methodology, which exhibits assemblywise rms pin power errors of 5 × 10–3 and average maximum assemblywise pin power errors of 1.2 × 10–2. When coupled with FORMOSA-P’s existing assembly power response generalized perturbation theory reactor core simulator, this permits loading-pattern evaluations at a speed approximately 100 to 150 times faster than full, 3-D models, providing the computational efficiency needed for efficient incore fuel management optimization using stochastic methods.