Clad failure detection system based on Delayed Neutron Detection without photoneutron noise for Sodium-cooled fast reactors
Résumé
In the context of failed fuel detection in Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFR), Delayed Neutrons Detection (DND) systems are implemented. This study deals with the design optimization of such a system by Monte-Carlo particle transport simulation (MCNP). During a clad failure, neutron precursor fission products (mainly halogen ones: 137 I, 87 Br, 88 Br) escape into the primary coolant. The detection of these precursors through their delayed neutrons ensures a diagnosis on clad failures events.
In DND systems, 3 He proportional counters are chosen as the best available technology for neutron detection purposes. Associated with 3 He counters, polyethylene blankets are required in order to thermalize neutrons. Feedbacks from past SFR have shown an important noise coming from photoneutrons mitigating the signal-to-noise ratio. These photoneutrons originate from the 2 D(γ,n) reaction in polyethylene (in natural abundance) and is due to the 24 Na activity. Another material avoiding photoneutrons production is considered in this paper as moderator. Indeed, the graphite appears as a good candidate, sufficiently light for neutron thermalization and with a C(γ,n) reaction threshold higher than energies considered here. The first simulations run with MCNPX code provide satisfactory results for a low-noise DND system based on graphite thermalizing.
Mots clés
Fast reactor
Sodium
Fission products
fission reactor fuel claddings
fission reactor instrumentation
liquid metal fast breeder reactors
Monte Carlo methods
sodium-cooled fast reactor
delayed neutron detection
photoneutron noise
clad failure detection system
SFR
DND
Monte-Carlo particle transport simulation
MCNP
clad failure
neutron precursor
fission product
3He proportional counter
polyethylene blankets
neutron detection
signal-to-noise ratio
2D(gamma
n)
neutron thermalization
MCNPX code
low-noise DND system
graphite thermalization
fuel detection