KBH Energy Center Fellow Showcases Nuclear Energy Research at International Conference in Japan

Written by Braden Pecora, UT Austin PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering and Kay Bailey Hutchison Computational Energy Fellow

I recently had the opportunity to present my research at NUTHOS-15, an international conference on nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulics, operation, and safety, in Japan!

I shared my work coupling SyTH, a thermal-hydraulics code we’ve been developing at UT Austin, with MPACT, a neutron transport code. Unlike conventional reactors, where nuclear fuel remains stationary, some molten salt reactors use liquid fuel that circulates through the system. As it moves, the fuel carries radioactive fission products that continue to release heat and neutrons. By connecting these simulation tools, we are working to better capture how fluid flow, heat transfer, and neutron behavior influence one another, improving the accuracy of molten salt reactor simulations.

While my research focuses on the broader interactions between neutronics and thermal-hydraulics, I especially enjoyed hearing from researchers exploring the finer details of fluid flow and heat transfer through experiments and advanced simulations. I was particularly interested in the unique challenges posed by new reactor designs, from modeling how heat radiates between individual fuel pebbles in a pebble bed reactor to studying how the motion of a ship affects emergency fuel-salt drainage in marine molten salt reactors. It was fascinating to see the depth of research behind these specific engineering challenges and to exchange ideas with researchers from across Asia, Europe, and the United States. I am glad to have shared the experience with Ethan Rozak and Charlie Owen.

A special thanks to the Texas Nuclear Digital Twin Program, led by Kevin Clarno, PhD, for funding my conference attendance, and to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center for its continued support through the Computational Energy Fellowship. It was a pleasure to share our work and connect with the international nuclear engineering community!

Co-authors: Benjamin Collins Caleb L Miller Charlie Owen Nicholas Herring Nicholas Luciano Cole Gentry Kevin Clarno, PhD