Title:

VTR Core Design Supporting Flexible Operations

Speaker:

Dr. Alisha Kasam-Griffith

Affiliation:

Nuclear engineer, Argonne National Laboratory

When:

Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

https://bluejeans.com/856106362/0020 Building

Host:

Dan Kotlyar
dan.kotlyar@me.gatech.edu

Abstract

The Versatile Test Reactor is being designed as a fast neutron testing capability that can accommodate a variety of experiment types and configurations. Successful operation of VTR relies on satisfying stakeholder requirements and guaranteeing customer timelines. Although VTR leverages proven sodium fast reactor technology, its mission as a test reactor introduces unique design and operational requirements. This seminar will present preliminary analysis for two areas of VTR core design related to the operational flexibility necessary for the testing mission. The first area focuses on a framework for assessing the feasibility of storing used driver fuel in the VTR shield region, which offers potential benefits to operations but may affect core reactivity and increased cooling time. A methodology to assess these impacts using neutronics and depletion calculations is demonstrated on three in-shield storage configurations. The second focus area highlights operational considerations and maximum residence time of the VTR control assemblies, which are critical to maintaining the irradiation environment necessary to deliver on the VTR mission. A preliminary methodology that assesses B-10 depletion and absorber rod swelling is demonstrated with the goal of informing future development. Together, these research activities illustrate how early-stage VTR design is guided by anticipation of operating objectives.

Biography

Dr. Alisha Kasam-Griffith is a nuclear engineer at Argonne National Laboratory, with expertise is in core design and reactor physics analysis of advanced reactors. Her experience spans a variety of reactor types, including small modular light water reactors, sodium-cooled fast reactors, molten salt reactors, and thermal reactors for space exploration. Dr. Kasam-Griffith received a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2013, a Master’s in Energy Technologies from the University of Cambridge in 2015, and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 2019. She is a member of the American Nuclear Society and is co-chair of the Programs Committee of the ANS Young Members Group. She is also active in ANL’s education outreach and Diversity & Inclusion programs.