A case study to bound the search space of the optimization problem for the PSBR beam tube

Kürşat B. Bekar, Yousry Y. Azmy, Kenan Unlu, Jack Brenizer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a simple methodology for reducing the extent of the search space of the modular optimization code package developed for the size and shape optimization of the beam tube assembly at the Penn State Breazeale Reactor (PSBR). In this method, we express the origin of the neutron output at the beam tube exit in two components depending on the location of their last scattering collision in (i) the Bi gamma shield; or (ii) the moderator (e.g. H2O or D2O) illuminating the beam tube. We compute the contribution of these two components to the neutron flux at the beam tube exit by performing numerical experiments using the three-dimensional particle transport code TORT on a model configuration. We illustrate the results of this approach with various moderator materials, comparing the strength and spectrum of the outgoing neutron beam, and indicating how those affect the search space size. Results demonstrate that the neutrons originating at the beam tube base contribute more output neutrons at the beam tube exit than neutrons from all other origination locations. Hence, this result enables defining a small search space, thus reducing the optimization procedure's computational time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPHYSOR-2006 - American Nuclear Society's Topical Meeting on Reactor Physics
StatePublished - 2006
EventPHYSOR-2006 - American Nuclear Society's Topical Meeting on Reactor Physics - Vancouver, BC, Canada
Duration: Sep 10 2006Sep 14 2006

Publication series

NamePHYSOR-2006 - American Nuclear Society's Topical Meeting on Reactor Physics
Volume2006

Other

OtherPHYSOR-2006 - American Nuclear Society's Topical Meeting on Reactor Physics
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver, BC
Period9/10/069/14/06

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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