Standard LWR Fuel Rod Outputs Action System

Description

The StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action simplifies the input file of a LWR simulation by creating up to 11 postprocessors and vector postprocessors which are commonly used to analyze the results of BISON simulations. The standard names given to these postprocessors and vector postprocessors by this action aid in the generation of plots with a common plotting tool.

warning:For LWR Use Only

This action is designed for use with only Light Water Reactor simulations run with a mesh generated by either the mesh script or the FuelPinMeshGenerator; this action relies on the use of the boundary condition naming conventions in these files.

The user may elect to use the StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action to generate output for only the cladding, only the fuel pellets, or both as appropriate to the simulation. All of the possible outputs, generated with the default parameter setting rod_component = Both, are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Correspondence Among Action Functionality and MooseObjects for the StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action

Functionality	Generated Postprocessor Name	Created Classes (1D Layered/2D RZ)
Average temperature of the cladding interior	`average_interior_clad_temperature`	LayeredSideAverageValuePostprocessor/SideAverageValue
Average centerline fuel pellet temperature	`average_centerline_fuel_temperature`	LayeredAxisymmetricCenterlineAverageValuePostprocessor/AxisymmetricCenterlineAverageValue
Average plenum temperature	`plenum_temperature`	LayeredSideAverageValuePostprocessor/SideAverageValue
Volume of the plenum gases	`plenum_volume`	LayeredInternalVolumePostprocessor/InternalVolume
Volume of the fuel pellets	`pellet_volume`	LayeredInternalVolumePostprocessor/InternalVolume
Maximum axial displacement of the clad interior	`maximum_clad_elongation`	LayeredElongation/NodalExtremeValue
Maximum axial displacement of the fuel pellets	`maximum_fuel_elongation`	LayeredElongation/NodalExtremeValue
Radial displacement of the outer cladding at the simulation end	input file name + `_clad_radial_displacement_FINAL`	NodalValueSampler
Radial displacement of the outer fuel pellet at the simulation end	input file name + `_fuel_outer_radial_displacement_FINAL`	NodalValueSampler
Generated fission gas	`fission_gas_generated`	LayeredElementIntegralFisGasGeneratedSifgrsPostprocessor/ElementIntegralFisGasGeneratedSifgrs
Released fission gas	`fission_gas_released`	LayeredElementIntegralFisGasReleasedSifgrsPostprocessor/ElementIntegralFisGasReleasedSifgrs
Percentage of released fission gas	`fission_gas_released_percentage`	FGRPercent
Rod average burnup	`average_burnup`	RodAverageBurnup

Example Input File Syntax

The default behavior of the StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action will create a standard set of outputs for both the fuel mesh block component of the rod and the cladding:

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs<<<{"href": "index.html"}>>>]
  rod_component<<<{"description": "The mesh blocks for which the standard outputs should be generated. Options are FUEL CLAD BOTH."}>>> = both
  fuel_pellet_blocks<<<{"description": "The list of names of the blocks (subdomains) for the fuel pellets."}>>> = pellet
[]

It is also possible to use the StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action to generate outputs for only the fuel or only the cladding, depending on the rod_component selected. Here an example of the StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs action for a fuel pellet only simulation is shown:

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs<<<{"href": "index.html"}>>>]
  temperature<<<{"description": "The temperature variable name."}>>> = temp
  rod_component<<<{"description": "The mesh blocks for which the standard outputs should be generated. Options are FUEL CLAD BOTH."}>>> = fuel
  fuel_pellet_blocks<<<{"description": "The list of names of the blocks (subdomains) for the fuel pellets."}>>> = fuel_pellet
[]

note:Set Boundary Names for Cladding Burst Cases

For cladding burst tests which are run only on a hollow tube mesh, the advanced parameters plenum_boundary_name and external_clad_boundary_name should be set to ensure the correct boundary or boundaries are used in the calculation of the plenum volume, plenum temperature, the average clad interior temperature, and the radial displacement of the cladding exterior.

Note that when plenum_boundary_name is set, the boundaries specified by arguments for this parameter are used for both the plenum quantities and the average clad interior temperature.

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs<<<{"href": "index.html"}>>>]
  rod_component<<<{"description": "The mesh blocks for which the standard outputs should be generated. Options are FUEL CLAD BOTH."}>>> = clad
  cladding_blocks<<<{"description": "The list of names of the block (subdomain) for the cladding. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes."}>>> = 0
  plenum_boundary_name<<<{"description": "The name of the boundary to use for the plenum temperature and plenum volume postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes."}>>> = 'left'
  external_clad_boundary_name<<<{"description": "The name of the boundary to use for the cladding radial displacement vector postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes."}>>> = 'right'
[]

Input Parameters

displacementsThe nonlinear displacement variables for the problem.
C++ Type:std::vector<VariableName>
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The nonlinear displacement variables for the problem.

Required Parameters

active__all__ If specified only the blocks named will be visited and made active
Default:__all__
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:If specified only the blocks named will be visited and made active
blockThe list of blocks (ids or names) that this object will be applied
C++ Type:std::vector<SubdomainName>
Controllable:No
Description:The list of blocks (ids or names) that this object will be applied
burnup_functionBurnup function
C++ Type:BurnupFunctionName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:Burnup function
fuel_pellet_blocksThe list of names of the blocks (subdomains) for the fuel pellets.
C++ Type:std::vector<SubdomainName>
Controllable:No
Description:The list of names of the blocks (subdomains) for the fuel pellets.
fuel_pin_geometryName of fuel pin geometry UserObject.
C++ Type:UserObjectName
Controllable:No
Description:Name of fuel pin geometry UserObject.
inactiveIf specified blocks matching these identifiers will be skipped.
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:If specified blocks matching these identifiers will be skipped.
internal_volume_additionAn additional volume to be included in the internal volume calculation.
C++ Type:FunctionName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:An additional volume to be included in the internal volume calculation.
layeredFalseWhether this analysis uses a layered 1D or layered 2D mesh.
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Whether this analysis uses a layered 1D or layered 2D mesh.
out_of_plane_strainstrain_yyThe out-of-plane strain variable.
Default:strain_yy
C++ Type:VariableName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The out-of-plane strain variable.
out_of_plane_strain_claddingcladding_strain_yyName of the UserObject that contains the layered average out_of_plane_strain in the cladding.
Default:cladding_strain_yy
C++ Type:UserObjectName
Controllable:No
Description:Name of the UserObject that contains the layered average out_of_plane_strain in the cladding.
out_of_plane_strain_fuelfuel_strain_yyName of the UserObject that contains the layered average out_of_plane_strain in the fuel.
Default:fuel_strain_yy
C++ Type:UserObjectName
Controllable:No
Description:Name of the UserObject that contains the layered average out_of_plane_strain in the fuel.
rod_componentBOTHThe mesh blocks for which the standard outputs should be generated. Options are FUEL CLAD BOTH.
Default:BOTH
C++ Type:MooseEnum
Options:FUEL, CLAD, BOTH
Controllable:No
Description:The mesh blocks for which the standard outputs should be generated. Options are FUEL CLAD BOTH.
temperaturetemperatureThe temperature variable name.
Default:temperature
C++ Type:VariableName
Unit:(no unit assumed)
Controllable:No
Description:The temperature variable name.
use_automatic_differentiationFalseFlag to use automatic differentiation (AD) objects when possible.
Default:False
C++ Type:bool
Controllable:No
Description:Flag to use automatic differentiation (AD) objects when possible.

Optional Parameters

cladding_blocksThe list of names of the block (subdomain) for the cladding. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.
C++ Type:std::vector<SubdomainName>
Controllable:No
Description:The list of names of the block (subdomain) for the cladding. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.
control_tagsAdds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.
C++ Type:std::vector<std::string>
Controllable:No
Description:Adds user-defined labels for accessing object parameters via control logic.
external_clad_boundary_nameThe name of the boundary to use for the cladding radial displacement vector postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.
C++ Type:std::vector<BoundaryName>
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the boundary to use for the cladding radial displacement vector postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.
plenum_boundary_nameThe name of the boundary to use for the plenum temperature and plenum volume postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.
C++ Type:std::vector<BoundaryName>
Controllable:No
Description:The name of the boundary to use for the plenum temperature and plenum volume postprocessor calculations. Necessary only for non-standard clad only meshes.

Advanced Parameters

Associated Actions

Available Actions

Bison App
StandardLWRFuelRodOutputsActionSets up the Auxvariables, Auxkernels, and Postprocessors required to generate the standard set of fuel rod simulation outputs for a Layered1D or 2D-RZ LWR simulation.

(test/tests/standard_lwr_outputs_action/mini_complete_rod.i)

initial_fuel_density = 10431.0

[GlobalParams]
  density = ${initial_fuel_density}
  initial_porosity = 0.05
  energy_per_fission = 3.2e-11  # J/fission
  displacements = 'disp_x disp_y'
[]

[Mesh]
  coord_type = RZ
  [smeared_pellet_mesh]
    type = FuelPinMeshGenerator
    pellet_quantity = 2
    pellet_mesh_density = coarse
    clad_mesh_density = coarse
    plenum_fuel_ratio = 0.177033
  []
[]

[Variables]
  [temperature]
    initial_condition = 580.0
  []
[]

[Functions]
  [power_history]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0.000000 10800'
    y = '0.000000 16404.200000' #LHR5
    scale_factor = 1
  []
  [axial_peaking_factors]
    type = PiecewiseBilinear
    x = '0.00324 3.77797'
    y = '0.000000 10800'
    z = '1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0'
    axis = 1
    scale_factor = 1
  []
  [pressure_ramp]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    scale_factor = 1
    x = '0 10800.0'
    y = '0.00651 1.0'
  []
  [q]
    type = CompositeFunction
    functions = 'power_history axial_peaking_factors'
  []
[]

[Physics/SolidMechanics/QuasiStatic]
  [pellets]
    block = pellet
    add_variables = true
    strain = finite
  []
  [clad]
    block = clad
    add_variables = true
    strain = finite
  []
[]

[Kernels]
  [gravity]
    type = Gravity
    variable = disp_y
    value = -9.81
  []
  [heat]
    type = HeatConduction
    variable = temperature
  []
  [heat_ie]
    type = HeatConductionTimeDerivative
    variable = temperature
  []
  [heat_source]
    type = NeutronHeatSource
    variable = temperature
    block = pellet
    burnup_function = burnup
  []
[]

[Burnup]
  [burnup]
    block = pellet
    rod_ave_lin_pow = power_history
    axial_power_profile = axial_peaking_factors
    num_radial = 6
    num_axial = 2
    a_lower = 0.00351
    a_upper = 0.02723
    fuel_inner_radius = 0
    fuel_outer_radius = .0041
    fuel_volume_ratio = 1
    order = CONSTANT
    family = MONOMIAL
    RPF = RPF
  []
[]

[BCs]
  [no_x_all]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_x
    boundary = 12
    value = 0.0
  []
  [no_y_clad_bottom]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_y
    boundary = '1'
    value = 0.0
  []
  [no_y_fuel_bottom]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_y
    boundary = '1020'
    value = 0.0
  []
  [Pressure]
    [coolantPressure]
      boundary = '1 2 3'
      factor = 15.5e6
      function = pressure_ramp
    []
  []
  [PlenumPressure]
    [plenumPressure]
      boundary = 9
      initial_pressure = 2.0e6
      startup_time = 0
      output_initial_moles = initial_moles
      temperature = plenum_temperature  ## generated by the standard outputs action
      volume = plenum_volume  ## generated by the standard outputs action
      material_input = fission_gas_released ## generated by the standard outputs action
      output = plenum_pressure
    []
  []
[]

[CoolantChannel]
  [convective_clad_surface]
    boundary = '1 2 3'
    variable = temperature
    inlet_temperature = 580
    inlet_pressure    = 15.5e6
    inlet_massflux    = 3800
    rod_diameter      = 0.948e-2
    rod_pitch         = 1.26e-2
    linear_heat_rate  = power_history
    axial_power_profile = axial_peaking_factors
  []
[]

[Materials]
  [fuel_thermal]
    type = UO2Thermal
    block = pellet
    thermal_conductivity_model = NFIR
    temperature = temperature
    burnup_function = burnup
  []
  [fuel_elasticity_tensor]
    type = ComputeIsotropicElasticityTensor
    block = pellet
    youngs_modulus = 2.0e11
    poissons_ratio = 0.345
  []
  [fuel_elastic_stress]
    type = ComputeFiniteStrainElasticStress
    block = pellet
  []

  [clad_thermal]
    type = HeatConductionMaterial
    block = clad
    thermal_conductivity = 16.0
    specific_heat = 330.0
  []
  [clad_elasticity_tensor]
    type = ZryElasticityTensor
    block = clad
  []
  [clad_stress]
    type = ComputeFiniteStrainElasticStress
    block = clad
  []

  [fission_gas_release]
    type = UO2Sifgrs
    block = pellet
    temperature = temperature
    burnup_function = burnup
    gbs_model = false
  []
  [clad_density]
    type = StrainAdjustedDensity
    block = clad
    strain_free_density = 6551.0
  []
  [fuel_density]
    type = StrainAdjustedDensity
    block = pellet
    strain_free_density = ${initial_fuel_density}
  []
[]

[Executioner]
  type = Transient
  solve_type = 'PJFNK'
  petsc_options = '-snes_ksp_ew'
  petsc_options_iname = '-pc_type -pc_factor_mat_solver_package'
  petsc_options_value = 'lu       superlu_dist'

  l_max_its = 50
  l_tol = 8e-3
  nl_max_its = 15
  nl_rel_tol = 1e-4
  nl_abs_tol = 1e-10
  start_time = 0
  end_time = 200
  dtmax = 200
  dtmin = 200
[]

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs]
  rod_component = both
  fuel_pellet_blocks = pellet
[]

[Outputs]
  exodus = false
  color = false
  csv = true
  perf_graph = true
[]

(test/tests/standard_lwr_outputs_action/pellet_only.i)

initial_fuel_density = 10431.0

[GlobalParams]
  displacements = 'disp_x disp_y'
  order = SECOND
  density = ${initial_fuel_density}
  energy_per_fission = 3.20435313e-11
  temperature = temp
[]

[Mesh]
  coord_type = RZ
  patch_size = 10
  patch_update_strategy = auto
  [mesh]
    type = FileMeshGenerator
    file = pellet_only.e
  []
[]

[Variables]
  [temp]
    initial_condition = 293
  []
[]

[Functions]
  [power_profile]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0 100 1e8'
    y = '0 20000 20000'
  []
  [axial_peaking_factors]
    type = ParsedFunction
    expression = 1
  []
  [q]
    type = CompositeFunction
    functions = 'power_profile axial_peaking_factors'
  []
[]

[Physics/SolidMechanics/QuasiStatic]
  [pellets]
    block = fuel_pellet
    add_variables = true
    strain = FINITE
    eigenstrain_names = fuel_thermal_strain
    decomposition_method = EigenSolution
  []
[]

[Kernels]
  [heat]
    type = HeatConduction
    variable = temp
  []
  [heat_ie]
    type = HeatConductionTimeDerivative
    variable = temp
  []
  [heat_source]
    type = NeutronHeatSource
    variable = temp
    burnup_function = burnup
  []
[]

[Burnup]
  [burnup]
    block = fuel_pellet
    rod_ave_lin_pow = power_profile
    axial_power_profile = axial_peaking_factors
    num_radial = 80
    num_axial = 20
    a_upper = 0.01496
    a_lower = 0.00226
    fuel_inner_radius = 0.0
    fuel_outer_radius = 0.005305
    fuel_volume_ratio = 1
    RPF = RPF
  []
[]

[BCs]
  [fuel_wall_temp]
    type = DirichletBC
    preset = false
    variable = temp
    boundary = '10'
    value = 673
  []
  [no_x_all]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_x
    boundary = 12
    value = 0.0
  []
  [no_y_fuel_bottom]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_y
    boundary = '1020'
    value = 0.0
  []
[]

[Materials]
  [fuel_thermal]
    type = UO2Thermal
    temperature = temp
    burnup_function = burnup
    thermal_conductivity_model = NFIR
    initial_porosity = 0.05
  []
  [fuel_elasticity_tensor]
    type = UO2ElasticityTensor
    block = fuel_pellet
  []
  [fuel_elastic_stress]
    type = ComputeFiniteStrainElasticStress
    block = fuel_pellet
  []
  [fuel_thermal_expansion]
    type = ComputeThermalExpansionEigenstrain
    block = fuel_pellet
    thermal_expansion_coeff = 10.0e-6
    temperature = temp
    stress_free_temperature = 293
    eigenstrain_name = fuel_thermal_strain
  []
  [fuel_density]
    type = StrainAdjustedDensity
    strain_free_density = ${initial_fuel_density}
  []
  [fission_gas_release]
    type = UO2Sifgrs
    temperature = temp
    burnup_function = burnup
  []
[]

[Executioner]
  type = Transient
  solve_type = 'PJFNK'
  petsc_options_iname = '-pc_type -sub_pc_type'
  petsc_options_value = 'asm       lu'
  line_search = 'none'

  l_max_its = 50
  l_tol = 8e-3

  nl_max_its = 15
  nl_abs_tol = 1e-10

  dtmax = 200
  dtmin = 200
  end_time = 200
[]

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs]
  temperature = temp
  rod_component = fuel
  fuel_pellet_blocks = fuel_pellet
[]

[Outputs]
  perf_graph = true
  exodus = false
  color = false
  csv = true
[]

(test/tests/standard_lwr_outputs_action/clad_nonstandard_names.i)

[GlobalParams]
  displacements = 'disp_x disp_y'
[]

[Mesh]
  coord_type = RZ
  [mesh]
    type = GeneratedMeshGenerator
    dim = 2
    nx = 2
    ny = 10
    xmin = 1
    xmax = 2
    ymax = 5
  []
[]

[Variables]
  [temperature]
    initial_condition = 300.
  []
[]

[Functions]
  [temperature_func]
    type = PiecewiseBilinear
    x = '0.0 0.025'
    y = '0.0 300.0 300.0'
    z = '1000.0 1400.0 1400.0 2000.0 1400.0 1400.0'
    axis = 1 # (0,1,2) => (x,y,z)
  []
  [power_history]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0.000000 10800'
    y = '0.000000 16404.200000' #LHR5
    scale_factor = 1
  []
  [axial_peaking_factors]
    type = PiecewiseBilinear
    x = '0.00324 3.77797'
    y = '0.000000 10800'
    z = '1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0'
    axis = 1
    scale_factor = 1
  []
  [inner_pressure_func]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    x = '0.     1000.  2000.  '
    y = '1.e+05 1.e+05 7.4e+05'
  []
  [pressure_ramp]
    type = PiecewiseLinear
    scale_factor = 1
    x = '0 10800.0'
    y = '0.00651 1.0'
  []
[]

[Physics/SolidMechanics/QuasiStatic]
  [clad]
    add_variables = true
    strain = FINITE
  []
[]

[Kernels]
  [heat]
    type = HeatConduction
    variable = temperature
  []
  [heat_ie]
    type = HeatConductionTimeDerivative
    variable = temperature
  []
[]

[BCs]
  [no_x_all]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_x
    boundary = 'left'
    value = 0.0
  []
  [no_y_clad_bottom]
    type = DirichletBC
    variable = disp_y
    boundary = 'bottom'
    value = 0.0
  []
  [Pressure]
    [coolantPressure]
      boundary = 'right'
      factor = 15.5e6
      function = pressure_ramp
    []
  []
[]

[CoolantChannel]
  [convective_clad_surface]
    boundary = 'right'
    variable = temperature
    inlet_temperature = 580
    inlet_pressure    = 15.5e6
    inlet_massflux    = 3800
    rod_diameter      = 0.948e-2
    rod_pitch         = 1.26e-2
    linear_heat_rate  = power_history
    axial_power_profile = axial_peaking_factors
  []
[]

[Materials]
  [thermal]
    type = ZryThermal
    temperature = temperature
  []
  [clad_elasticity_tensor]
    type = ZryElasticityTensor
  []
  [clad_stress]
    type = ComputeFiniteStrainElasticStress
  []
  [density]
    type = StrainAdjustedDensity
    strain_free_density = 6550
  []
[]

[Executioner]
  type = Transient
  solve_type = 'PJFNK'
  petsc_options_iname = '-pc_type -sub_pc_type'
  petsc_options_value = 'asm       lu'
  line_search = 'none'
  l_max_its = 100
  l_tol = 1e-8
  nl_max_its = 15
  nl_rel_tol = 1.e-8
  nl_abs_tol = 1.e-10
  start_time = 0.
  end_time = 50.
  dtmax = 10.0
  dtmin = 10
[]

[StandardLWRFuelRodOutputs]
  rod_component = clad
  cladding_blocks = 0
  plenum_boundary_name = 'left'
  external_clad_boundary_name = 'right'
[]

[Outputs]
  perf_graph = true
  csv = true
[]

Description
Example Input File Syntax
Input Parameters
Associated Actions
Available Actions