Oak Ridge National Laboratory experts on nuclear energy have designed a Nuclear Quality Assurance-1, a software product allowing simulation of today's commercial nuclear reactors.
What is all about?
The suite of tools got the name VERA (Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications). The main goal is to solve various challenges in nuclear reactor operations. The software uses several physics codes related to neutron transport, thermal hydraulics. Besides that it runs on fuel performance data and coolant chemistry formulas.
Creators believe the simulation software can help the industry to boost the power output from existing reactors. They also think their product can improve designs and confidence in current and future reactors.
The software key feature is modeling power distribution throughout the reactor core.
"The industry needed such kind of a product for a long time and now it is available to use." - states Shane Stimpson, one of the laboratory experts.
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