Abstract: The elimination of soluble boron in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offers advantages such as an enhanced negative moderator temperature coefficient, reduced corrosion, and simplified chemical systems, driving growing interest in Soluble-Boron-Free (SBF) designs. Without soluble boron, excess reactivity control at the Beginning of Cycle (BOC) relies on burnable absorbers and control rods, potentially increasing power peaking factors and requiring careful core design to ensure safety margins. This study refines an academic SBF Karlsruhe Small Modular Reactor (KSMR) core model using CASMO5 and SIMULATE5, targeting an equilibrium cycle through a two-batch refueling strategy by optimizing fuel enrichment, burnable absorber rod configuration, and Gd?O? content. A Golang-based tool, CoreOptimizer, was developed to automate core evaluation and input generation, enabling efficient optimization. The resulting core design meets safety and performance criteria, and the optimization process and key core characteristics are presented.

Referent/in
Frau Yi Song

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Institut für Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik, INR

Veranstalter
Institut für Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik, INR
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1
76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
E-Mail: ingeborg schwartz ∂does-not-exist.kit edu

Zielgruppe
Alle, Schüler*innen, Forscher*innen