COUPLED BWR CALCULATIONS with the NUMERICAL NUCLEAR REACTOR SOFTWARE SYSTEM

The Numerical Nuclear Reactor (NNR) is a software suite for integrated high-fidelity reactor core simulations including neutronic and thermal-hydraulic feedback. Using solution modules with formulations to reflect the multi-dimensional nature of the system, NNR offers a comprehensive core modeling capability with pin-by-pin representation of fuel assemblies and coolant channels. Originally developed for pressurized water reactors, the NNR analysis capabilities have recently been extended for boiling water reactor (BWR) applications as part of EPRI Fuel Reliability Program. The neutronics methodology is extended to treat non-periodic structure of BWR fuel assemblies, and a new Eulerian two-phase CFD boiling heat transfer model has been integrated with the software system. This paper summarizes the experience with, and results of, the first-of-akind coupled calculations as demonstration of a fully-integrated, high-fidelity simulation capability for assessment of margin to crud-induced failure from fuel-duty perspective.