Proof-of-principle of parametric stellarator neutronics modeling using Serpent2

Abstract

This contribution presents neutron transport studies for the 5-period HELIAS stellarator using the Serpent2 code. These studies utilize a parametric geometry model, enabling scans in neutronics modeling by varying the thickness of the reactor layers. For example, the tritium breeding ratio (TBR) can be determined by exploring various blanket material options and thicknesses to identify the threshold configuration that meets the TBR design criterion of 1.15. We found out that with the helium-cooled pebble ped (HCPB) candidate option, the TBR criterion is met with a breeding zone thickness of 26 cm, while with the dual-coolant lithium lead (DCLL) the threshold is exceeded at a thickness of 46 cm. Furthermore, the geometry includes non-planar field coils, allowing to study the fast neutron flux in these superconducting coils with a technological limit of 1e9 1/cm2s. It is shown that the neutron fast flux is not constant at the coils, necessitating a neutron transport simulation to determine the distribution of the fast-flux at the coils. We show that the peak flux can be more than a factor of 2 higher than the average flux, and that the peak flux location rotates helically.