PSR-0431 ATHENA_2D.
ATHENA_2D, Simulation Hypothetical Recriticality Accident in a Thermal Neutron Spectrum
NAME OR DESIGNATION OF PROGRAM, COMPUTER, DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM OR FUNCTION, METHODS, RESTRICTIONS ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM, TYPICAL RUNNING TIME, FEATURES, AUXILIARIES, STATUS, REFERENCES, HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS, LANGUAGE, SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS, OTHER RESTRICTIONS, NAME AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AUTHORS, MATERIAL, CATEGORIES
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| Program name | Package id | Status | Status date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATHENA_2D | PSR-0431/01 | Arrived | 17-NOV-1999 |
Machines used:
| Package ID | Orig. computer | Test computer |
|---|---|---|
| PSR-0431/01 | IBM PC,SUN W.S.,DEC ALPHA W.S. |
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3. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM OR FUNCTION
ATHENA_2D was written to simulate a hypothetical water reflood of a highly-damaged light water reactor (such as the Three-Mile-Island Unit-2 after meltdown, with a packed debris bed near the center of the core), but with insufficiently-borated reflood water. A recriticality transient may result because of the potentially more reactive debris bed. ATHENA-2D solves the transient multigroup neutron diffusion equations in (r,z) geometry. Executing in parallel with the transient neutronics, is a single-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, driven by multichannel thermal hydraulics based on detailed pin models.
Numerous PV-Wave procedure files are included on the distribution media, useful for those who already have PV-Wave from Visual Numerics. These procedures are documented in the "README"files included on the distribution CD.
Some reactor lattice computer code such as WIMS-E, CCC-576/WIMSD4, or CCC-656/WIMSD5B is required for the creation of macroscopic cross section libraries, given pin-cell geometries. WIMS-E is a commercial product available from AEA Technologies, England, WIMS is not included on the ATHENA_2D distribution CD.
Several auxiliary routines are included in the package.
TFMAX: Utility that searches through ATHENA_2D binary output to find the maximum fuel temperature over space and time.
POST_VEL: Utility that searches through ATHENA_2D binary output to find maximum scalar and flow field values (over space) and outputs normalization factors as a function of time. These results are used to correctly scale animations.
CONVT: If executing ATHENA_2D on a PC under Windows, this utility converts one form of binary output (directly from ATHENA_2D) to another, which is readable by PV-Wave for Windows (PV-Wave is data animation and visualization software from Visual Numerics, Inc.)
CALC_MTX: Post-processing utility for calculating the model coefficients for the calculation matrix.
ATHENA_2D was written to simulate a hypothetical water reflood of a highly-damaged light water reactor (such as the Three-Mile-Island Unit-2 after meltdown, with a packed debris bed near the center of the core), but with insufficiently-borated reflood water. A recriticality transient may result because of the potentially more reactive debris bed. ATHENA-2D solves the transient multigroup neutron diffusion equations in (r,z) geometry. Executing in parallel with the transient neutronics, is a single-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, driven by multichannel thermal hydraulics based on detailed pin models.
Numerous PV-Wave procedure files are included on the distribution media, useful for those who already have PV-Wave from Visual Numerics. These procedures are documented in the "README"files included on the distribution CD.
Some reactor lattice computer code such as WIMS-E, CCC-576/WIMSD4, or CCC-656/WIMSD5B is required for the creation of macroscopic cross section libraries, given pin-cell geometries. WIMS-E is a commercial product available from AEA Technologies, England, WIMS is not included on the ATHENA_2D distribution CD.
Several auxiliary routines are included in the package.
TFMAX: Utility that searches through ATHENA_2D binary output to find the maximum fuel temperature over space and time.
POST_VEL: Utility that searches through ATHENA_2D binary output to find maximum scalar and flow field values (over space) and outputs normalization factors as a function of time. These results are used to correctly scale animations.
CONVT: If executing ATHENA_2D on a PC under Windows, this utility converts one form of binary output (directly from ATHENA_2D) to another, which is readable by PV-Wave for Windows (PV-Wave is data animation and visualization software from Visual Numerics, Inc.)
CALC_MTX: Post-processing utility for calculating the model coefficients for the calculation matrix.
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4. METHODS
Both the neutronics and CFD equations are solved by successive-over relaxation (SOR) iteration. Chebychev extrapolation is available for the neutronics equations, although this option has not been thoroughly tested. The CFD equations use the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations (SIMPLE) iteration to achieve self-consistent solutions for mass, momentum and energy. Asymptotic acceleration of the pressure-correction equation (part of the SIMPLE iteration) is available. The one-dimesional thermal hydraulic fuel pin models employ fast tri-diagonal matrix inversion for a single time step.
Both the neutronics and CFD equations are solved by successive-over relaxation (SOR) iteration. Chebychev extrapolation is available for the neutronics equations, although this option has not been thoroughly tested. The CFD equations use the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations (SIMPLE) iteration to achieve self-consistent solutions for mass, momentum and energy. Asymptotic acceleration of the pressure-correction equation (part of the SIMPLE iteration) is available. The one-dimesional thermal hydraulic fuel pin models employ fast tri-diagonal matrix inversion for a single time step.
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5. RESTRICTIONS ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM
ATHENA_2D assumes moderator boiling occurs before fuel remelt, as there is no mechanism to handle fuel remelt and relocation. However, even the most severe transients simulated during the course of the PhD work showed that this is reasonable. In a thermal neutron spectrum, time constants are longer than those in a fast spectrum. Given typical fuel piece dimensions, moderator boiling always occurred before the peak fuel temperature reached the melting point.
Another limitation is the single (liquid) phase CFD model. Boiling is treated, but only insofar as to calculate local void fractions that feed back to the neutronics equations through local cross section interpolation based on reduced moderator density. The reactivity effects of voids being explicitly transported away from their point of origin is not treated. However, these effects are believed to be small as the introduction of voids tends to be a primary shutdown mechanism for these severe transients. Improved two-phase modeling would only affect the details of the shutdown phase of the transient, not the total energy release.
Other Limitations:
Reactivity feedback effects arising from any potential fluidized bed motion of fuel particles in the debris bed is not treated. No fuel motion is modeled.
Blackbody (radiative) heat transfer is not modeled.
Radiolytic gas bubble formation and its effect on reactivity is not modeled.
There is no treatment of gamma or neutron thermalization heating in the moderator.
There is no treatment of high-temperature, fuel-clad-water chemical interaction which is a potential hydrogen gas source term.
There is no turbulence energy dissipation in the CFD model.
The current library of heat transfer correlations is limited and could be improved.
ATHENA_2D assumes moderator boiling occurs before fuel remelt, as there is no mechanism to handle fuel remelt and relocation. However, even the most severe transients simulated during the course of the PhD work showed that this is reasonable. In a thermal neutron spectrum, time constants are longer than those in a fast spectrum. Given typical fuel piece dimensions, moderator boiling always occurred before the peak fuel temperature reached the melting point.
Another limitation is the single (liquid) phase CFD model. Boiling is treated, but only insofar as to calculate local void fractions that feed back to the neutronics equations through local cross section interpolation based on reduced moderator density. The reactivity effects of voids being explicitly transported away from their point of origin is not treated. However, these effects are believed to be small as the introduction of voids tends to be a primary shutdown mechanism for these severe transients. Improved two-phase modeling would only affect the details of the shutdown phase of the transient, not the total energy release.
Other Limitations:
Reactivity feedback effects arising from any potential fluidized bed motion of fuel particles in the debris bed is not treated. No fuel motion is modeled.
Blackbody (radiative) heat transfer is not modeled.
Radiolytic gas bubble formation and its effect on reactivity is not modeled.
There is no treatment of gamma or neutron thermalization heating in the moderator.
There is no treatment of high-temperature, fuel-clad-water chemical interaction which is a potential hydrogen gas source term.
There is no turbulence energy dissipation in the CFD model.
The current library of heat transfer correlations is limited and could be improved.
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10. REFERENCES
Background Information:
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Recriticality Energetics of a Hypothetical Water Reflood Accident in a Damaged Light Water Reactor, Nuclear Science & Engineering"
Vol 132, Number 1 (May 1999). (Full paper)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Recriticality Energetics of a Hypothetical Water Reflood Accident in a Damaged Light Water Reactor,"
ANS Annual meeting, Orlando, Fl, vol76, pp.277-278
(June 1-5, 1997). (Summary)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Nuclear Energetics Analysis of Light Water Reactor Rectiticality under Severe Core Accident Conditions,"
Ph.D. dissertation, UMI number: 9638022, University of Washington
(June, 1996).
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"ATHENA_2D: A Computer Code for Simulation of Hypothetical Recriticality Accidents in a Thermal Neutron Spectrum,"
International Conference on Mathematics and computations, Reactor Physics, and Environmental Analyses, Portland, Oregon,
vol 2, p.1154 (April 30-May 4, 1995). (computer code abstract)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"ATHENA_2D: A Two-Dimensional Computer Code for coupled Neutronic Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Thermal-Spectrum Rectiticality Accidents," Simulators International XII, Proceedings of the 1995 Simulation Multiconference, vol 27, number 3, p. 153
(April 9-13, 1995).
Background Information:
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Recriticality Energetics of a Hypothetical Water Reflood Accident in a Damaged Light Water Reactor, Nuclear Science & Engineering"
Vol 132, Number 1 (May 1999). (Full paper)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Recriticality Energetics of a Hypothetical Water Reflood Accident in a Damaged Light Water Reactor,"
ANS Annual meeting, Orlando, Fl, vol76, pp.277-278
(June 1-5, 1997). (Summary)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"Nuclear Energetics Analysis of Light Water Reactor Rectiticality under Severe Core Accident Conditions,"
Ph.D. dissertation, UMI number: 9638022, University of Washington
(June, 1996).
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"ATHENA_2D: A Computer Code for Simulation of Hypothetical Recriticality Accidents in a Thermal Neutron Spectrum,"
International Conference on Mathematics and computations, Reactor Physics, and Environmental Analyses, Portland, Oregon,
vol 2, p.1154 (April 30-May 4, 1995). (computer code abstract)
- K.N. Schwinkendorf,
"ATHENA_2D: A Two-Dimensional Computer Code for coupled Neutronic Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Thermal-Spectrum Rectiticality Accidents," Simulators International XII, Proceedings of the 1995 Simulation Multiconference, vol 27, number 3, p. 153
(April 9-13, 1995).
PSR-0431/01, included references:
- K.N. SchwinkendorfNotes on package contents
September 1999
- K.N. Schwinkendorf
Notes on cross section formats
September 22, 1999.
- K.N. Schwinkendorf
Excerpt from PhD dissertation,
"Appendix D, ATHENA_2D Input Manual"
1996
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11. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
ATHENA_2D runs on IBM PC (Pentium-class) running Windows 95 or later, on DEC Alpha or other unix workstations. At RSICC it was tested on DEC Alpha 3000 running Digital Unix Version 4.0D with Fortran 77 Version 5.1-8 and on a Sun UltraSparc 60 running Solaris 2.6 with f774.2.
ATHENA_2D runs on IBM PC (Pentium-class) running Windows 95 or later, on DEC Alpha or other unix workstations. At RSICC it was tested on DEC Alpha 3000 running Digital Unix Version 4.0D with Fortran 77 Version 5.1-8 and on a Sun UltraSparc 60 running Solaris 2.6 with f774.2.
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13. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
There are no special software requirements for ATHENA_2D except as noted below. If there is a need to modify and recompile the program, any 32-bit fortran compiler should work. The IBM PC executable included on the distribution CD was created using the Microsoft fortran PowerStation 4.0 compiler. (The older 16-bit Microsoft fortran 5.1 compiler failed to work because of the size of data arrays). If color animations are desired of results, procedure files are included on the distribution CD for the PC-Wave software from visual Numerics, Inc. However, this is not required to merely run ATHENA_2D.
In order to create new ATHENA_2D input, a case-specific (enrichment, fuel composition, etc.) macroscopic cross section library must be created using some lattice transport code such as the WIMS code. The format for this library is standard ASCII text and is defined in documentation found on the distribution CD.
There are no special software requirements for ATHENA_2D except as noted below. If there is a need to modify and recompile the program, any 32-bit fortran compiler should work. The IBM PC executable included on the distribution CD was created using the Microsoft fortran PowerStation 4.0 compiler. (The older 16-bit Microsoft fortran 5.1 compiler failed to work because of the size of data arrays). If color animations are desired of results, procedure files are included on the distribution CD for the PC-Wave software from visual Numerics, Inc. However, this is not required to merely run ATHENA_2D.
In order to create new ATHENA_2D input, a case-specific (enrichment, fuel composition, etc.) macroscopic cross section library must be created using some lattice transport code such as the WIMS code. The format for this library is standard ASCII text and is defined in documentation found on the distribution CD.
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PSR-0431/01
Readme.txt Readme informationTHESIS W61 THESIS Wordperfect
THESIS PDF THESIS portable Document Format
CASE_E05 test case file
CASE_G03 test case file
EXE Ibm pc executable file
INPUTS inputs for test cases
MOVIE AAPLAY movie animations
QUATTRO quattro spreadsheets
SOURCE source code for pc, unix , openvms.
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- F. Space - Time Kinetics, Coupled Neutronics - Hydrodynamics - Thermodynamics
- G. Radiological Safety, Hazard and Accident Analysis
Keywords: multigroup, reactor safety.