TECH-X CORPORATION — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 22b

Description

High-fidelity computational simulations are beginning to provide predictive analysis capabilities for the design and performance assessment of nuclear reactor components and fuel assemblies as part of the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA). The multiphysics and multiscale integration needed to achieve these capabilities also generates a growing dependence on high performance computing architecture, which can present some usability challenges. A specific need for these simula- tions are Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) which can visualize aspects of the complete simulation work flow, including reactor geometry and mesh, code discretizations, parallel domain decompositions and multi-cycle fuel element shuffling maps required for core burnup and fuel cycle calculations. We propose to adapt the Composer Graphical User Interface developed at Tech-X Corporation to support workflows associated with light water reactor simulation. During the Phase I effort, we will prototype integration of geometry and mesh tools appropriate for light water reactor simulation into ComposerToolkit, determine how VERAin input files can be turned into tree-based setup and explore how VERA workflows can be represented within Composer. Integration of geometry and unstructured meshing into the Composer Graphical User interface will enhance the commercial relevance of this product. The USim fluid dynamics modelling tool developed at Tech-X will specifically benefit from this capability; this will enhance commercial market penetration. DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and the ASCR program will benefit from improved evaluation by the U.S. Congress as the positive effect that DOE funds are having on industry become more apparent