Two-Node Nodal Kernel With Equivalence Theory
Source Expansion Nodal Method
Introduction and implementation approach
Equivalence Theory
For the reflector cross-section generation
General Solution Structure
\phi_g(\xi) = A_g \cosh(k_g \xi) + B_g \sinh(k_g \xi) + \sum_{i=0}^{4} c_{g,i} P(\xi)
Flux Function Components
The general solution combines hyperbolic functions with Legendre polynomial expansions, providing flexibility in representing spatial flux variations across node boundaries.
Wave Number Definition
The parameter k_g = \frac{h}{2}\sqrt{\frac{\sigma_{r,g}}{D_g}} relates to the diffusion length in each energy group, determining the spatial curvature of the flux solution.
Legendre Expansion
The P(\xi) terms represent Legendre polynomials within the domain [-1,1], enabling accurate representation of complex flux shapes with a small number of terms.
Constraints for the Two-node Kernel
Constraint 1: Average Flux
The first constraint utilizes the node-average flux (\bar{\phi}_g), which is a key quantity in reactor calculations. This constraint primarily determines the coefficient A_g due to the even nature of the hyperbolic cosine function.
Constraint 2-1: Flux Continuity
For the left node: \phi_{l,g}(1)
For the right node: \phi_{r,g}(-1)
The flux continuity( \phi_{l,g}(1)=\phi_{r,g}(-1) ) condition determines the coefficient B_g.
Constraint 2-2: Current Continuity
For the left node: J_l = -D_{l,g} \cdot \frac{d\phi_{l,g}}{d\xi}(1)
For the right node: J_r = -D_{r,g} \cdot \frac{d\phi_{r,g}}{d\xi}(-1)
These current conditions(J_l=J_r) determine the coefficient B_g.
Generalized Equivalence Theory
Flux Discontinuity in the Equivalence Theory (T. Kozlowski, 2017)
(Original reference : Assembly homogenization techniques for light water reactor analysis (Smith, 1984) )
  • The homogeneous surface flux to preserve heterogeneous solutions is
\phi_s^{hom}=\phi_s^{(L\ or\ R)}=\bar{\phi}^{het} - {1 \over 2} \beta\ J^{het}
  • The left-side and right-side surface fluxes are not equal.
  • The discontinuity factor is defined as follows to equalize the homogeneous surface fluxes.
f_L\ \phi_s^L=\phi_s^{het}=f_R\ \phi_s^R
f=\frac{\phi_s^{het}}{\phi_s^{hom}}=\frac{\phi_s^{het}}{{\bar{\phi}}^{het}-\frac{1}{2\beta}J^{het}}
  • The heterogeneous currents with discontinuity factors are defined by
J^{het}=-2\frac{\left(\frac{\beta_{i+1}}{f_R}\right)\left(\frac{\beta_i}{f_L}\right)}{\left(\frac{\beta_{i+1}}{f_R}\right)+\left(\frac{\beta_i}{f_L}\right)}\left(\phi_{i+1}f_R-\phi_if_L\right)
Equivalence Theory for Relector XS
1. Reference Solution is given as :
Equivalence Theory for Relector XS
2. Nodal calculations for each of nodes, independently
  • For the left node (or right node)
  • Determine higher order flux function \phi(\xi) using the average flux(\overline{\phi_l^*}) and boundary surface current(J_l^*).
  • Using \overline{\phi_l^{\ast}} and J_l^{\ast}, the A and B of \phi(\xi) can be determined, c_i is determined as same to SENM method.
  • From \phi(\xi), J_c^n can be calculated and it has to be essentially same to J_c^{\ast} due to nodal balance eq. (NBE)
  • However, the surface flux of nodal method (\phi_s^n) is different from the reference surface flux (\phi_s^{\ast}).
\phi_g(\xi) = A_g \cosh(k_g \xi) + B_g \sinh(k_g \xi) + \sum_{g'=1}^{G} c_{g,i} P(\xi)NBE : {J_{r,g}-J_{l,g} \over h} + \Sigma_{t,g} \phi_g={\chi_g \over k_{eff}}\Psi + \sum_{g=1}^{G}{\Sigma_{g'g} \phi_{g'}}
Equivalence Theory for Relector XS
3. Calculate the discontinuity factor
  • The two surface fluxes calculated by the nodal calculations are not equal to each other.
  • As introducing the discontinuity factors on the left and right-side node, the flux continuity condition can be established.
f_l \phi_s^l = f_r \phi_s^r
  • However, the left discontinuity factor can not be applied for the fuel node since the fuel xs is independently generated.
  • Therefore, the whole discontinuity effect is regarded as the discontinuity of reflector as the following equations.
\phi_s^l = f_{refl} \phi_s^r\,\,\, \text{where} \,\,\, f_{refl}={f_r \over f_l}
  • Finally, the homogeneous reflector xs is modified by the discontinuity factor to be applied for the core calculation.
\Sigma_{refl,x}' = {\Sigma_{refl,x} \over f_{refl}}
Conclusion
General Solution Structure
Combines analytic functions with polynomial expansions to accurately represent neutron flux distributions.
Two-Node Kernel Constraints
Ensure proper nodal balance while preserving computational efficiency.
Equivalent Theory for Reflectors
Introduces discontinuity factors that effectively handle the fuel-reflector interface.
Modified Cross-Sections
The modified homogeneous reflector cross-sections (\Sigma_{refl,x}' = {\Sigma_{refl,x} \over f_{refl}}) provide an accurate representation for core calculations.