Computational Modelling and Simulation of Low Source Start-up and Power Ascension in Advanced Nuclear Power Plants (NPP)

This proposed PhD project will investigate the low source start-up and power ascension of nuclear power plants. The project is expected to have major benefits across the civil and defence nuclear businesses of Rolls-Royce. These benefits include a better understanding of low source start-up and power ascension as well as potential better placement of primary and secondary start-up sources or a reduction in the number of start-up sources within small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) power plants. It is important to note that primary start-up sources can cost as much as $60M per gram and reductions in dose to workers by deletion of start-up sources can be significant and support the "As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)" nuclear safety principles. Low source start-up and power ascension is an area of nuclear power plant (NPP) modelling that has received little or no research since the 1960's and is one area of nuclear engineering where a better understanding can improve the commissioning and start-up of NPPs. It is well known, as the NPP moves from the source range through to the power range, the behaviour of the NPP in the low source region is particular important from a nuclear safety perspective.