Validation of VHTRC calculation benchmark of critical experiment using the MCB code

Abstract

Abstract. The calculation benchmark problem Very High Temperature Reactor Critical (VHTR) a pin-in-block type core critical assembly has been investigated with the Monte Carlo Burnup (MCB) code in order to validate the latest version of Nuclear Data Library based on ENDF format. Executed benchmark has been made on the basis of VHTR benchmark available from the International Handbook of Evaluated Reactor Physics Benchmark Experiments . This benchmark is useful for verifying the discrepancies in k eff values between various libraries and experimental values. This allows to improve accuracy of the neutron transport calculations that may help in designing the high performance commercial VHTRs. Almost all safety parameters depend on the accuracy of neutron transport calculation results that, in turn depend on the accuracy of nuclear data libraries. Thus, evaluation of the libraries applicability to VHTR modelling is one of the important subjects. We compared the numerical experiment results with experimental measurements using two versions of available nuclear data (ENDF-B-VII.1 and JEFF-3.2) prepared for required temperatures. Calculations have been performed with the MCB code which allows to obtain very precise representation of complex VHTR geometry, including the double heterogeneity of a fuel element. In this paper, together with impact of nuclear data, we discuss also the impact of different lattice modelling inside the fuel pins. The discrepancies of k e ff have been successfully observed and show good agreement with each other and with the experimental data within the 1 σ range of the experimental uncertainty. Because some propagated discrepancies observed, we proposed appropriate corrections in experimental constants which can improve the reactivity coefficient dependency. Obtained results confirm the accuracy of the new Nuclear Data Libraries.

Monte Carlo Analysis of the Battery-Type High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor

“…This value is the maximum difference between cubic pattern and multiple realizations random pattern for infinite medium described in [25]. What is more, the reference [24] compares cubic pattern with random pattern for a full-core HTR and the deviation is less than 50 pcm. However, in this research, the fuel geometry heterogeneity effect [9] onto the neutron multiplication was intended to be shown and estimated quantitively with single random geometry realization.…”