JOURNAL OF FUSION ENERGY, vol.28, no.4, pp.427-433, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
This study presents regression analysis method used for prediction and investigation of neutronic performance in a hybrid reactor using UO(2) fuel and Flibe (Li(2)BeF(4)) coolant. The (235)U fraction is increased gradually from 0 to 4% stepped by 1% and the (6)Li fraction within the Flibe coolant is enriched gradually to 30, 60 and 90% from 7.5%. Relations between (235)U fuel fraction and lithium ((6)Li) enrichment are investigated for the estimation of neutronic performance as the tritium breeding ratio (TBR), energy multiplication factor (M), total fission rate (I (f)) pound, (238)U (n,gamma) reaction and fissile fuel breeding (FFB) in the hybrid reactor. Regression analysis by results obtained by using the code (XSDRNPM/SCALE5) for TBR, M, I (f) pound, (238)U (n,gamma) and FFB are performed. The results of the regression analysis and the values obtained by using the code (XSDRNPM/SCALE5) are compared with respect to the TBR, M, I (f) pound, (238)U (n,gamma) and FFB of the reactor. The values calculated from the obtained formulations with regression analysis are found to be in good agreement with results obtained by using the code (XSDRNPM/SCALE5). It is observed that the derived equations from regression analysis could provide an accurate computation of the neutronic performances so that these equations could use for the prediction of TBR, M, I (f) pound, (238)U (n,gamma) and FFB. In addition, correlation matrix is calculated to determine the degree of relationship between variables as TBR, M, I (f) pound, (238)U (n,gamma) and FFB.