Diffusion Equation

Dept. off Energy System

S
Engineering
i
i
Shim, Hyung Jin

Reactor Theory

Neutron Current
Net flow

- in 3-D

x : x component of
normal component
to y - z plane

- in 1-D
j

h direction!
di ti !
jnet j j has

( , ) sin

i cos x sin
i sin
i y cos z

) d n( r , E ,
)d v( E )
(r , E ,
- in 2-D
Need for net inflow
or outflow
too eexminee balance
b
ce
- vector sum of angular flux
in a volume

(r, E ,
)d net flow formed toward a direction
J (r , E )
4
per unit area unit time
J x x J y y J z z

- scalar sum n(r, E ) v( E ) J (r, E ) n(r, E ) v (r, E )
J
(r , E )

n( r , E )

v ( r ,E )
v( E )

(r , E ) (r , E ,
)d scalar flux important for reaction rate

y
x

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Normal Component of Current

- Number of neutrons passing through unit area of a surface per unit time in a net flow field

after t

plane
v

vn vcos
unit normal vector (n )

v t : travel distance for t

n neutrons per unit volume
moving with v toward direction

J J x x J y y J z z nv

height of parallel pipe = v t cos

total volume
= v t cos A
total number of
= nv t cos A
neutrons passed
per unit area and time = nv cos = nv n

- normal component to a surface to parallel to y-z plane

J x nvx : number of neutrons ppassingg through

g unit area on yy-z pplane (x const ) pper unit time
3

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Neutron Balance in a Volume Element for given Energy

J ( x0 x, y0 y, z0 z ,
E )
omit

Inflow through y z surface at x x0

J x ( x, y, z )d
)dydz
d

Ax y z
z V x y z

J ( x0 , y0 , z0 )
z
y ( x, y , z )

LLx

y0 y

J x ( x0 , y, z )dydz
y0 y ( x0 ) y0 y
J x ( x0 , y , z ) y z
z0 z ( x0 ) z0 z
z0

z0 z

at a surface point

y0

mean value
l theorem
h

Outflow through y z surface at x x0 x Net outflow or leakage through all six surfaces
L
R
x

z0 z

z0

y0 y
y0

L LRx LLx LRy LLy LRz LLz

J x ( x0 x, y, z )dydz

J x ( x0 x, y , z ) J x ( x0 , y , z ) y z

J x ( x0 x, y , z ) y z

J y ( x , y0 y, z ) J y ( x , y0 , z ) z x

Net outflow or leakage through y z surface

J z ( x , y , z0 z ) J z ( x , y , z0 ) x y

Lx LRx LLx
J x ( x0 x, y , z ) J x ( x0 , y , z ) y z
4

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Neutron Balance in a Volume Element

Loss within the volume by collision
CV

z0 z

z0

y0 y
y0

x0 x

x0

t ( x, y, z , E )dxdydz

assume constant cross section

in small volume

t ( x , y , z, E ) V
Production within the volume by source

S S f S s Si
( E )

z0 z

z0

z0 z

z0 z

z0

z0

y0 y
y0

y0 y
y0
y0 y
y0

x0 x

( x, y, z )dxdydz

x0

x0 x

x0 x

x0

x0

f ( E ) ( x, y, z , E )dE

s ( E E ) ( x, y, z , E)dEdxdydz

s( x, y, z , E )dxdydz

( E ) f ( E ) ( x , y , z, E )dE V
0

s ( E E ) ( x , y , z, E)dE V s( x , y , z, E ) V
0

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Neutron Balance in a Volume

Overall balance
L C S f S s Si

J x ( x0 x, y , z ) J x ( x0 , y , z ) y z J y ( x, y0 y, z) J y ( x, y0 , z ) z x
J z ( x , y , z0 z ) J z ( x , y , z0 ) x y t ( x , y , z ) V

( E ) f ( E) ( x , y , z, E)dE V s ( E E ) ( x , y , z, E)dE V s( x , y , z, E ) V
Balance equation for volume element

divide by V x y z
J x ( x0 x, y , z ) J x ( x0 , y , z ) J y ( x , y0 y, z ) J y ( x , y0 , z )

x
y
J ( x , y , z0 z ) J z ( x , y , z0 )
z
t ( x , y , z, E ) V
z

( E ) f ( E) ( x , y , z, E)dE s ( E E ) ( x, y , z, E)dE s( x , y , z, E )
take the limit
limit, 0

J x ( x0 x, y , z ) J x ( x0 , y , z ) J x

x , y , z x0 , y0 , z0 x 0
x
x
lim

x0 , y0 , z0

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Neuton Balance Equation

Leakage term
L
lim
V V

J x J y J z

x
y
z

J divergence : outflow per unit volume

Balance equation
q

J (r , E ) t (r , E ) (r , E ) ( E ) f (r , E) (r , E)dE s (r , E E ) (r , E)dE
E
E

s(r , E )

(r, E ,
)d
- exact if J (r , E )
4

Fick's law for approximation of current

proportionality constant=diffusion coefficient

J (r , E ) D(r , E ) (r , E )
net flow
- valid if free back
back-and-forth
and forth collisions with nuclei
- net flow occurs due to by either density and/or
velocity difference in two regions
- proportional to the gradient of flux (nv)
7

dense region
g
or faster neutrons
SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Diffusion Equation

D(r , E ) (r , E ) t (r , E ) (r , E )

( E ) f (r , E ) (r , E)dE
d s (r , E E ) (r , E)dE
d s(r , E )
E

- contains scalar flux only as unknown function!

- in each constant property region

D( E ) 2 (r , E ) t ( E ) (r , E ) ( E ) f ( E) (r , E)dE s ( E E ) (r , E )dE
E
E

s(r , E )
*D( E ), t ( E ) and etc. are region dependent constant

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

One Group Formulation

D( E ) 2 (r , E ) t ( E ) (r , E ) ( E ) f ( E ) (r , E )dE s ( E E ) (r , E )dE s( r , E )
E

- define group flux and average cross sections and

(r ) (r , E )dE;

x ( E ) ( E )dE

( E )dE

obtained from infinite lattice calculation

- integrate over energy

(
E
)

(
r
,
E
)
dE

(
r
,
E
)
dE

(
r
, E)

t
a
s
t
0

( E ) f ( E ) (r , E)dEdE =
E

f ( E) (r , E)dE f (r )

s ( E E ) (r , E)dEdE = s ( E E )dE (r , E)dE= s ( E) (r , E)dE s (r )

0

D( E ) 2 (r , E )dE D 2 (r ) with properly defined D

0

- one group diffusion equation

D 2 (r ) a (r ) f (r ) s(r )
9

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Plane Source in Non-Multiplying Infinite Medium

Diffusion Equation in 1-D

0 for nonmultiplying material ( f 0)
y z

2
d
D 2 a 0
BC : (0) 0 , () 0
dx
2
d 2 1
D
s
neutrons
per
p
unit
cm
sec
0
2 0 where
h L
: diff
diffusion
i length,
l th cm
2
dx
L
a
Solution
x
x
x
1
1

L
J

J 0 s0
L
L
( x) 0e
0
0
( x) Ae Ce
4
2
d D Lx
1 D

J ( x) D
0e

0 s0
2L
d
dx
L
4 2L
D
1
J (0) 0
Relation ship between J 0 and s0 ?
s

0
L
1 D 0

0
4 2L
Interpretation of diffusion length

e 1 36.7%

1
Relaxation to after traveling L
e
L
10

x
SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Uniform Source in Non-Multiplying Finite Medium

1D Diffusion Equation with Independent Source
d 2
D 2 a s0
dx

BC : ( a ) 0, ( a ) 0

d 2 1
s
2 2 0
dx
L
D

General Solution

( x ) H ( x ) P ( x )
- Homogeneous Solution

s0

1
L2

d 2H 1
d 2H

2 H 0
2H
2
2
dx
L
dx
- Particular Solution
1
s0
s0
2 s0
L

P
P
L2
D
D a
- BCfor general solution

a
a
y
coshuse
x cosh x,,sinh x for finite systems

H ( x) A cosh x C sinh x
cosh a

cosh x

C 0 after subtraction

s0
0
a
s
(a) A coshh a C sinh
i ha 0 0
a

(a) A cosh a C sinh a

11

s
1
A 0
after addition
a cosh a

( x)

s0 cosh x
1

a cosh a

s0
cosh a cosh x
a cosh a SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Point Source in Infinite Non-multiplying Region

Balance Equation
s
1

2 2 0 (r r0 )
L
D

r0 origin

Symmetry consideration (no polar and azimuthal dependence) 2

1 d 2 d
r
2
r dr dr

Equation at locations other than origin

2
1
1 d 2 d
1
2
1
d
r 1
2 0 r 2 2 r 0
r
0

r 0
r
L
L
r 2 dr dr
L2
dr 2 L2

Solution
r
L

r
L

r
L

d 2 r d
r 2 r
dr 2
dr

r
L

e
e

C
r Ae Ce
r
r r

e L
BC1: finite as r A 0;; (r ) C
r
BC2: J Area s0 as r 0

(r ) A

d
d e
J D D
= DC
C
dr
dr r

r
L

12

1 1
1 1
DC
DCe ( 2 ) DC
DCe L ( 2 )
r
rL
r
rL

r
L

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Point Source in Infinite Non-multiplying Region

r
L

r
J 4 r 4 DCe (1 )
L
2

(r )

s0 e
4 D r

lim J 4 r 2 4 DC s0

r 0

s0
4 D

r
L

Interpretations
- As r 0,, ppoint source
- If a 0, L

r
L

s0 1
4 D r
s
J 0 2 geometrical spread only
4 r

(r )

- Superposition of multiple sources

r ri

s0 e L

(r )

i 4 D r ri
13

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Linear Anisotropy in Angular Flux Distribution

cos J

J (r , E ) D(r , E ) (r , E )

- exact if angular flux is linear in cos J

( ) a0 a1

axisymmetric (no dependence in )

a0 , a1 ?

( )2 sin d ( )2 d 4 a0
a0

J : angle between vector J and

J J ( )2 d 2 a0 a1 d 2 a1 d 4 a1 2 d
1

3
J
4
1
3
( )

J
4
4

4
a1
3

a1

1
3
or 2 ( ) J (angular flux for circular strip)
2
2
14

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Partial Currents and Albedos

1
2

( ) 2 ( )
J

3
J
2

( )d ( )d ( )d

1 1
3
1
1

)
d

J J J out : partial
ti l currentt to
t positive
iti di
direction
ti
0
0 2 2
4
2
1

1 ( )d J in 1 2 2 J d 4 2 J <0 ( <0)
0
1
1
J ( )d J : ppartial current to negative
g
direction
1
4
2

J in
: from the core (system) to surroundings
J out
Alternatively
J
p out : from the surroundings to the core (system)
J in

15

cos J
J

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Anisotropic Scattering
Isotropic in CMS : low energy, light nucleus

C12

U238

p( )d 0
1

16

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Transport Cross Section

Migration of a Source Neutron Emitted toward a Direction (source by either fission or scat.)
- Consider expected distance traveled in n collisions in the direction of emission
in an absorption free medium
another three vectors to
l
located
d on a different
diff
plane
l
d
describe
ib successive
i travell
with two vectors forming a plane
s
and the pprojection
j
of 3rd vector
s
on the plane
transport mean free path
x1 s

x2 s 2

tr s 1 2

xn s n

1
s

1 s 1

with bigger , longer travel from the source point toward the initial direction
easier diffusion

17

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Transport Cross Section and Diffusion Coefficient

tr

Transport corrected scattering cross section

1
s 1

trs 1 s reduced scattering cross section to consider anisotropic scattering

Transport cross section
tr a trs

transport cross section, later to be used to define diffusion coefficient

a s s t s
Diffusion coefficient
- Under linear anisotropy in angular distribution

1
1
tr
3
3tr

s 1,
1 trs , tr D

18

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Boundary Conditions for Diffusion Equation

Boundary condition for angular flux at vacuum boundary

0
rv , E ,
in

in

vacuum
rv

Interface condition

r , E,

rI , E ,
I

a1

a 2

rI rI

outward direction

Boundary condition for diffusion equation

1
3
2 ( z , ) ( z ) J ( z )
2
2

diffusion
shape

2.5
2
1.5

- normal current through surface (flow per unit area)

1
3
2 J 2
2
2
shaded areas not the same jin 0

-1

19

transport
shape
h

1
0.5

-0.5

0.5

positive
i i angular
l unphysical
h i l
SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

BC for Diffusion Equation

Adjustment for zero net incoming current
J

net
in

3
1
3 1
1
1
1

2 ( z , )d J 2 d J J 0
1
1 2
2
4
2 3
4
2

d
2J 2 D
dz

dz 2 D

tr
3

0
2
tr 0
3

Zero flux at extrapolated location

2
( z tr ) 0
3
2
tr
3
or

more realistic condition ( z 0.711tr ) 0

D d 1
J
J
: albedo boundary condition * p = in : Partial current albedo
dz 2

J out
20

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Interface Condition for Diffusion Equation

Transport interface condition

r , E,

rI , E ,
I

d r , E ,
rI , E ,
I d
4

Flux continuity

rI , E rI , E

Current continuity

r , E ,
d
d
r , E ,

I
I

J rI , E J rI , E

Flux derivative not continuous

diffusion coefficients are different

D1 D2

21

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.

Reactor Theory

Validity of Fick's law

Fick's law valid if free back-and-forth collisions with nuclei
net flow
from dense region or faster neutron region

Limitations of Fick's law and diffusion equation

- cases lacking
l ki free
f back
b k andd forth
f h collisions
lli i
with
i h nuclei
l i
1. near strong absorber
2 near bboundary
2.
d
3. near source
1 . near interface of veryy different materials
4. in a medium of low density
o oge e cell
ce first
s using
us g transport
spo calc.
c c. result
esu
homogenize

22

SNU Monte Carlo Lab.