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Deterministic neutron calculation of soluble-boron-free PWR-SMR reactors based on Artificial Intelligenc


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-25-0178  

Thesis topic details

Category

Engineering science

Thesis topics

Deterministic neutron calculation of soluble-boron-free PWR-SMR reactors based on Artificial Intelligence

Contract

Thèse

Job description

In response to climate challenges, the quest for clean and reliable energy focuses on the development of small modular reactors using pressurized water (PW-SMR), with a power range of 50 to 1000 MWth. These reactors aimed at decarbonizing electricity and heat production in the coming decade. Compared to currently operating reactors, their smaller size can simplify design by eliminating the need for soluble boron in the primary circuit water. Consequently, control primarily relies on the level of insertion of control rods, which disturb the spatial power distribution when control rods are inserted, implying that power peaks and reactivity are more difficult to manage than in a standard PWR piloted with soluble boron. Accurately estimating these parameters poses significant challenges in neutron modeling, particularly regarding the effects of the history of control rod insertion on the isotopic evolution of the fuel. A thesis completed in 2022 explored these effects using an analytical neutron model, but limitations persist as neutron absorbers movements are not the only phenomena influencing the neutron spectrum. The proposed thesis seeks to develop an alternative method that enhances robustness and further reduces the calculation biases. A sensitivity analysis will be conducted to identify key parameters, enabling the creation of a meta-model using artificial intelligence to correct biases in existing models. This work, conducted in collaboration with IRSN and CEA, will provide expertise in reactor physics, numerical simulations, and machine learning.

University / doctoral school

Mathématiques et Informatique de Marseille (MIM)
Aix-Marseille Université

Thesis topic location

Site

Cadarache

Requester

Position start date

01/11/2025

Person to be contacted by the applicant

Prulhière Géraud geraud.prulhiere@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DER/SPRC/LE2C
Bat 230, p 6a
CEA Cadarache
13108 St Paul lez Durance

04.42.25.79.79

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

AYACHE Stéphane stephane.ayache@univ-amu.fr
Aix-Marseille Université
AMU/LIS

04 86 09 04 52

En savoir plus


https://www.cea.fr/energies/iresne/Pages/Accueil.aspx
https://www.irsn.fr/recherche/laboratoire-neutronique-ln