Small Modular Reactor based on NuScale with Thorium base

Diego M. E. Gonçalves; Marcelo Vilela da Silva; C. J. C. M. R.  da Cunha; Giovanni L. Stefani

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2881

Autores

Diego M. E. Gonçalves a Nuclear Engineering Program / Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro / COPPE, Av. Horácio Macedo, 2030, Bloco G - Sala 206 - CT, University City, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Marcelo Vilela da Silva a Nuclear Engineering Program / Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro / COPPE, Av. Horácio Macedo, 2030, Bloco G - Sala 206 - CT, University City, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
C. J. C. M. R. da Cunha b Centro Regional de Ciências Nucleares do Nordeste (CRCN-NE/CNEN), Av. Prof.Luis Freire N°200-Curado, Recife - PE, 50740-437, Brazil
Giovanni L. Stefani a Nuclear Engineering Program / Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro / COPPE, Av. Horácio Macedo, 2030, Bloco G - Sala 206 - CT, University City, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2881

Palavras-chave:

Núcleo do reator, Ciclo do combustível, NuScale, SMR, ciclos de combustível nuclear

Resumo

Este artigo propõe avaliar o conceito de elemento combustível, proposto por Radkwosky, que apresenta uma composição heterogênea com duas regiões distintas: uma região fértil no exterior e uma região físsil no interior. O conceito foi analisado comparando dados do núcleo convencional modelado com o código SERPENT. Os resultados obtidos foram utilizados para projetar um núcleo completo, com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho, segurança e compará-lo com o núcleo original do Pequeno Reator Modular (SMR) da NuScale, atualmente em fase final de licenciamento. A análise da queima de combustíveis é fundamental para garantir um equilíbrio na queima dentro do núcleo, ajustar o coeficiente de reatividade, e gerenciar a queima de boro e outros venenos queimáveis, elementos cruciais para a segurança nuclear e a redução de resíduos de combustível. Foi verificado que é possível integrar esse novo conceito ao núcleo do PRM sem comprometer significativamente a segurança do reator. O estudo inclui diversas simulações computacionais, neutrônicas e termo-hidráulicas, fundamentais para validar a viabilidade e confiabilidade técnica deste novo conceito de combustível, oferecendo uma opção mais flexível e segura para a produção de energia nuclear em grande escala.

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