Parametric effects on reactivity instabilities and nonlinear oscillations in a nuclear-coupled double channel natural circulation boiling system

Abstract

Natural circulation boiling systems consisting of parallel channels can undergo different types of oscillations (in-phase or out-of-phase) depending on the geometric parameters and operating conditions. The coupling between the neutronics and thermal-hydraulics has a strong influence on the modes of oscillations in a multi-channel system. In the present study a natural circulation double channel system is modeled. The reactor kinetics is represented by multi-point neutron kinetics model which includes the spatial variation of neutrons. Parametric effects on stability of the system, frequency, and the oscillation modes (reactivity instabilities) are investigated. It is found that at high powers compact cores will be more stable compared to larger cores, while the opposite will be the case at low powers. Further, nonlinear analysis is carried out to investigate the parametric effects on the bifurcation characteristics, transition from one mode to the other mode and chaotic oscillations. The delay in heat transfer and strong neutron interactions between the subcores delays the occurrence of chaotic oscillations.