Stability Analysis of Nuclear Reactors

Presented By - Rituraj Ghosh

18I710009
Under the guidance of Prof. Suneet Singh
Department of Energy Science & Engineering
IIT Bombay
Nuclear Energy
Advantages
1. Powerful and efficient
2. More eco-friendly
3. Low cost of operation
4. Compact source of energy
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages_nuclearenergy.php
Nuclear Reactors
Working of a nuclear reactor
● Nuclear fission and energy release
● Released energy converted into thermal energy
● Thermal energy converted into mechanical/electrical energy
● Condensation of steam
Types of nuclear reactors
● Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
● Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
● Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)
Types of Nuclear Reactors
Pressurized Water Reactor Boiling Water Reactor

https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-pwr.html https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-bwr.html
Steps involved in stability analysis

1. Mathematical modelling
2. Coupling
3. Non-dimensionalisation
4. Linearization
5. Eigenvalue determination
6. Linear stability analysis
7. Hopf bifurcation analysis
Mathematical Modelling

Assumptions
● Neutron flux distribution does not change drastically
● Neutron density at any point in the reactor is representative of the whole system
● Single group delayed neutron representation
● Reactivity and rate of change of reactivity is small
● One node lumped parameter model for thermal hydraulics
● Coolant is at an uniform saturation temperature
● Constant power is being removed by the coolant
Mathematical Modelling
Neutron Kinetics
● Rate of increase in neutron density is equal to the rate of production of prompt
neutrons and delayed neutrons

● Rate of precursors of delayed neutron concentration change is given by

● Reactor power is proportional to the neutron density

Mathematical Modelling
Thermal Hydraulics
● Power of the fuel rods is equal to the difference between the reactor power and the
power transferred to the coolant from the fuel rods

● Power of the coolant is equal to the difference between the power transferred from
the fuel and the steady state reactor power
Mathematical Modelling
Reactivity feedback
● Reactivity feedback depends upon fuel and coolant temperature and coolant void
fraction
Coupling of neutronics and thermal hydraulics
The neutronics and thermal hydraulics equations are coupled by the reactivity feedback
equation. Substituting the value of reactivity in neutronics equation we get
Final Equations
After all the substitutions we finally get the following system of equations
Non-dimensionalization
● The steady state values of fuel temperature and precursors of delayed neutron
concentration are given by

● The non-dimensional variables introduced are given by

● The non-dimensional parameters are given by

Non-dimensionalised equations
Substituting the previous values we get final non-dimensionalised equations
Linearization of nonlinear equations
The first neutronics equation is seen to be nonlinear. Linearization is done by removing
the nonlinear terms. So the linearized equations are
Jacobian matrix and characteristic equation
The Jacobian matrix of the system of equations

To find the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix we take

The characteristic equation is given by
Hopf Bifurcation
For Hopf bifurcation we have 𝜆=j𝜔. Putting it in characteristic equation and equating the
real and imaginary parts we have

Solving the above two equations we get

and
Plot of af vs. av graph
References
[1] "Nuclear reactor." https://www.britannica.com/technology/nuclear-reactor. Accessed 2 April. 2019.

[2]. https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/bwrs.html. Accessed 2 April. 2019.

[3]. Wahi, P., & Kumawat, V. (2011). Nonlinear stability analysis of a reduced order model of nuclear reactors: A parametric study
relevant to the advanced heavy water reactor. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 241(1), 134-143.

[4]. March-Leuba, J., Cacuci, D. G., & Perez, R. B. (1986). Nonlinear dynamics and stability of boiling water reactors: part 1—
qualitative analysis. Nuclear Science and Engineering, 93(2), 111-123.

[5]. Prasad, G. D., & Pandey, M. (2008). Stability analysis and nonlinear dynamics of natural circulation boiling water reactors. Nuclear
Engineering and Design, 238(1), 229-240.
Thank You