Neutron Source Optimization in Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Systems


Accelerator-driven subcritical systems (ADS) rely on an external spallation neutron source to sustain the fission chain reaction. Controlling the spatial distribution of that source is critical to achieving a prescribed power density profile while minimizing source intensity. This project formulates the source distribution problem as a linear programming optimization problem (LPOP), with constraints derived from the required power density distribution in the subcritical assembly. The approach yields optimal source configurations directly, without iterative trial-and-error adjustment, and provides a principled framework for source design in ADS reactor concepts.

Publications


[J23] Generating optimal configurations for neutron source distribution in subcritical systems. A linear-programming approach


Leonardo R.C. Moares, Ricardo C. Barros, Richard Vasques

Annals of Nuclear Energy, vol. 208, 2024, p. 110718


[P38] A linear programming-based methodology to determine the minimal neutron source distribution in subcritical systems


Leonardo R.C. Moraes, Ricardo C. Barros, Richard Vasques

Proceedings of International Conference on Mathematics & Computational Methods Applied to Nuclear Science & Engineering, Niagara Falls, Canada, 2023 Aug



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