Abstract:

This study introduces a new method for the validation of the point kinetic neutronic model of the PBMR. In this study the diffusion equation solution, as implemented in the TINTE PBMR 268 MW reactor model, replaces the point kinetic model, as implemented in the Flownex V502 PBMR plant model. An indirect coupling method is devised and implemented in an external program called Flownex-Tinte-Interface (FTI) to facilitate the data exchange between these two codes.The results of this study conclude that the indirect coupling method can provide rough boundary conditions during transients when interfacing TINTE and Flownex. These are adequate to perform validation studies on the point kinetic behaviour during transient conditions. However, further investigation should be done into the validation of all the point kinetic parameters, especially during cold shutdown and non-equilibrium fuel situations such as new core loadings.