PC-based JSI research reactor simulator

Abstract

A real-time research reactor simulator was developed at the Jožef Stefan Institute for education and training of students and future reactor operators, especially in countries with limited or no access to a research reactor. The research reactor simulator (RRS) simulates time behaviour of reactor power, fuel temperature and reactivity by using the 6-group point kinetics equation with feedback. It features temperature feedback mechanisms and xenon poisoning. Using graphics acceleration to render simulation results and a simple integration scheme with a short simulation step to propagate physics achieves low latency between a user’s input and display of simulation results, which is important for research reactors that can perform fast transients. The simulator targets TRIGA-type reactors, but all physical parameters can be changed on the fly. Thus, the simulator can be easily adapted to simulate other reactors.