Publication

Modelling of MSRE graphite temperature in porous-medium multi-physics simulations

2026

Abstract

MSRs stand out as prominent candidates among advanced reactor designs, addressing the global demand for safer and more sustainable nuclear energy. Accurate multi-physics modelling is essential for the advancement of MSR technology, particularly for understanding the thermos-hydraulic behaviour of graphite under irradiation. This study focuses on developing and implementing a high-fidelity methodology within the GeN-Foam code to model graphite temperature distribution within porous-medium multi-physics simulations, using the MSRE as a benchmark. The approach combines thermal-hydraulic and neutronic modelling by using Serpent-generated cross-section data as inputs for the Gen-Foam neutronic solver. Validation against MSRE measurements performed at ORNL benchmark data confirms the framework's reliability. The axial temperature distribution yields a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 1.09%, while the radial distribution shows a MAPE of 0.62%. The average graphite temperature of 935.6 K is consistent with the ORNL reference value of 936.4 K under steady-state conditions.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0b4a95ee-888e-40d7-91c4-8290d41e4257

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/0b4a95ee-888e-40d7-91c4-8290d41e4257

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Molten salt reactor

A molten salt reactor (MSR) is a class of nuclear fission reactor in which the primary nuclear reactor coolant and/or the fuel is a mixture of molten salt with a fissionable material. Two research MSRs operated in the United States in the mid-20th century. The 1950s Aircraft Reactor Experiment (ARE) was primarily motivated by the technology's compact size, while the 1960s Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) aimed to demonstrate a nuclear power plant using a thorium fuel cycle in a breeder reactor.

Generation IV reactor

Generation IV reactors (Gen IV) are nuclear reactor design technologies that are envisioned as successors of generation III reactors. The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) - an international organization that coordinates the development of generation IV reactors - specifically selected six reactor technologies as candidates for generation IV reactors. The designs target improved safety, sustainability, efficiency, and cost.

Graphite-moderated reactor

"Graphite reactor" directs here. For the graphite reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, see X-10 Graphite Reactor. A graphite-moderated reactor is a nuclear reactor that uses carbon as a neutron moderator, which allows natural uranium to be used as nuclear fuel. The first artificial nuclear reactor, the Chicago Pile-1, used nuclear graphite as a moderator.

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Modelling of MSRE graphite temperature in porous-medium multi-physics simulations

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