Finite element solution of the nonlinear coupled neutronic-energy equations for a fast reactor fuel cell.

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Author
Kasdorf, Roy Edward
Date
1976-12Advisor
Nguyen, D.
Salinas, David
Second Reader
Franke, Richard
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Show full item recordAbstract
A transient overpower (TOP) accident in a Liquid Metal
Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) is considered. The analysis
is formulated to model the dynamic response of the reactor
fuel subassembly during the initial period of the postulated
overpower transient. An equivalent cylindrical cell is used
to model the fuel subassembly. The governing neutronic and
heat transport equations for each region (fuel, clad, and
coolant) of the equivalent cylindrical cell are developed.
Nuclear Doppler broadening feedback is included in the dynamic
model making the coupled equations non-linear. The resulting
non-linear partial differential field equations are
transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations
by the finite element method. An isoparametric, quadratic,
rectangular element is used for the discretization of the
spatial domain. When using the finite element method, large
system matrices may result. To facilitate solution of these
large systems, an optimum compacting scheme is utilized.
The implicit Gear's method is used for the solution of the
system of ordinary differential equations. The results for
a sample problem are presented.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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