Validation of the AKR-2 reactor simplified model using OpenMC and Serpent: A deep analysis of the pile oscillator experiment
Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/Report › Conference contribution › Contributed
Contributors
Abstract
The AKR-2 reactor at TU Dresden is a solid-moderated, thermal zero-power reactor used for training and research. This study validates the simplified AKR-2 model using Monte Carlo codes OpenMC and Serpent, comparing simulations with experimental data. Measurements include neutron flux in experimental channels, reactivity curves of shutdown devices, and pile oscillator experiments. The pile oscillator experiment involves periodic sample motion in an axial channel, testing samples made of iridium, indium, gold, hafnium, copper, zirconium, and graphite. By analysing amplitude signals, macroscopic absorption cross-section ratios between material pairs were determined. Experimental and simulated results showed deviations of 10-20%. Additionally, keff criticality simulations replicated computationally the experimental reactivity oscillations. The range of frequencies, motion profiles, and materials provided lessons learned in the pile oscillator experiment and provided a way to obtain integral data of multiple materials at this facility. The validation marks progress toward detailed AKR-2 models currently under development.
Details
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | European Research Reactor Conference Proceedings |
| Publisher | European Nuclear Society |
| ISBN (electronic) | 978-92-95064-42-3 |
| ISBN (print) | 978-92-95064-42-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Apr 2025 |
| Peer-reviewed | No |
External IDs
| ORCID | /0000-0001-6991-8379/work/182336580 |
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