The deterministic modelling of nuclear reactors requires special techniques due to the multi-physics and multi-scale aspects of such systems. The multi-physics aspects come primarily from the macroscopic cross-sections being dependent on the temperature of the coolant/moderator and of the fuel and on the energy being produced by fission reactions. Consequently, the determination of all fields needs to be carried out simultaneously if one wants to determine the behaviour of nuclear systems. The other characteristic feature of nuclear reactors is their multi-scale aspects, i.e. phenomena occurring at different scales. The multi-scale character is explained by the fact that nuclear reactors are strongly heterogeneous systems, and by the fact that phenomena involving different characteristic lengths play role in the system.
The research being carried out at Chalmers is devoted to the modelling of nuclear reactors (more specifically the nuclear core), and focuses on the development of new computational methods for treating the multi-scale and multi-physics aspects of nuclear systems. This will ultimately allow a more reliable assessment of the performance, reliability, and safety of the current fleet of nuclear reactors, as well as of the units planned for near-term deployment. Gen-IV systems would also benefit from such a research program, with the development of an innovative and reliable computational route for the nuclear systems of tomorrow.
The research encompasses several disciplines, ranging from neutron transport, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, to reactor dynamics and transients. This group is the only group in Sweden dealing with the deterministic modelling of nuclear reactors in an integrated viewpoint (i.e. tackling the multi-physics and multi-scale aspects simultaneously).
Experts from the Swedish nuclear industry and safety authorities are closely following some of the projects being performed.
Illustration of the multi-physics nature of nuclear
reactor cores, where neutron transport, fluid dynamics, and heat
transfer need to be simultaneously modelled
CORTEX – CORe monitoring techniques and EXperimental validation and demonstration – European Commission support
ESFR-SMART – European Sodium Fast Reactor Safety Measures Assessment and Research Tools – European Commission support
SEALION – Seaborg External multiphysics Architecture for Licensing and Ip development Of Nuclear reactors – VINNOVA support
Book on Modelling of Nuclear Reactor Multi-physics
- From Local Balance Equations to Macroscopic Models in Neutronics and
Thermal-Hydraulics
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Professor, Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Professor Demazière is leading the DREAM task force at Chalmers (Deterministic REactor Modelling). DREAM is a cross-disciplinary group having expertise in neutron transport, fluid dynamics, heat...
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Associate Professor, Subatomic High Energy and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
My research focus is modeling and simulations of nuclear reactors. I work with computational models for reactor physics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. I am also interested in nuclear reactor...
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Post doc, Subatomic High Energy and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
I joined Chalmers as a Postodoctoral reseacher in CORTEX project (Core monitoring techniques and experimental validation and demonstration). My research interests focus on the areas of computational...
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PhD student, Subatomic High Energy and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Past collaborators:
Sebastian Gonzalez-Pintor Post-Doc, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Victor Dykin Researcher, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Manuel Calleja Post-Doc, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Amalia Chambon PhD student, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Klas Jareteg PhD Student, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Alberto Ghione PhD Student, Subatomic and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics
Lars Davidson Full Professor, Head of Division Fluid Dynamics
Srdjan Sasic
Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
Henrik Ström Senior researcher, Chalmers University of Technology
Mohammad Asadzadeh Full Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
Antoni Vidal-Ferrándiz Post-Doc, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
Nicolas Olmo-Juan PhD student, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
Eirik Eide Pettersen BSc student, Danish Technical University
Anders Ålund Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre
Fredrik Edelvik, Associate professor, Fraunhofer-Chalmers Centre
The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet - VR)
The Swedish Centre for Nuclear Technology (Svenskt kärntekniskt centrum - SKC)
The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten - SSM)
The European Commission
Sweden’s innovation agency (VINNOVA)
Past funding bodies:
The Nordic Thermal-Hydraulic Network (NORTHNET)