Past Event: Oden Institute Seminar

Nuclear Reactor Modeling in Transition: Methods, Tools, and Lessons Learned

Carlo Fiorina, Texas A&M University

Abstract

This seminar explores a 15-year journey in modeling advanced nuclear reactors, comparing legacy and modern methodologies and highlighting key advancements. It will briefly discuss finite element versus finite volume approaches, the trade-offs between large frameworks and specialized tools, coupling paradigms for multi-physics simulations, and some implications of open-source versus closed-source software. Additionally, the seminar will touch on the importance of programming best practices for code developers. The seminar aims to provide lessons learnt and stimulate discussion by drawing from specific case studies including: modeling reactor fuel cycle using legacy tools; leveraging general-purpose platforms like COMSOL; developing new tools such as GeN-foam and OFFBEAT; and approaching new tools like OpenSN and MOOSE as a user.

Biography

Carlo Fiorina is an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University. He received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Prior to joining TAMU, he was an R&D Program Manager at EPFL, Switzerland, and a postdoctoral researcher at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland. In his current position, he teaches Nuclear Reactor Theory and conducts research on the modeling, design, and analysis of advanced reactors and fusion energy systems. Since 2015, he has been actively supporting and promoting open-source software development and has played a key role in establishing the IAEA ONCORE initiative. He has been the lead developer of the GeN-Foam multiphysics solver since 2014 and a co-developer of the OFFBEAT fuel behavior solver since 2017.