Processing of the multigroup cross-sections for MCNP calculations

Jakub Lüley1,2, Branislav Vrban1, Štefan Čerba1, Filip Osuský1, Vladimír Nečas1
1 Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Ilkovičova 3, 812 19 Bratislava, Slovakia
2 B&J NUCLEAR Ltd., Alžbetin Dvor 145, 900 42 Miloslavov, Slovakia

Main Article Content

Abstract

Stochastic Monte Carlo (MC) neutron transport codes are widely used in various reactor
physics applications, traditionally related to criticality safety analyses, radiation shielding and validation of deterministic transport codes. The main advantage of Monte Carlo codes lies in their ability to model complex and detail geometries without the need of simplifications. Currently, one of the most accurate and developed stochastic MC code for particle transport simulation is MCNP. To achieve the best real world approximations, continuous-energy (CE) cross-section (XS) libraries are often used. These CE libraries consider the rapid changes of XS in the resonance energy range; however, computing-intensive simulations must be performed to utilize this feature. To broaden our
computation abilities for industrial application and partially to allow the comparison with
deterministic codes, the CE cross section library of the MCNP code is replaced by the multigroup (MG) cross-section data. This paper is devoted to the cross-section processing scheme involving modified versions of TRANSX and CRSRD codes. Following this approach, the same data may be used in deterministic and stochastic codes. Moreover, using formerly developed and upgraded crosssection processing scheme, new MG libraries may be tailored to the user specific applications. For demonstration of the proposed cross-section processing scheme, the VVER-440 benchmark devoted to fuel assembly and pip-by-pin power distribution was selected. The obtained results are compared with continues energy MCNP calculation and multigroup KENO-VI calculation.

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References

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