One-step Monte Carlo global homogenization based on RMC code

• Main Authors: Qingquan Pan, Kan Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-08-01
• Series: Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573318309719

Due to the limitation of the computers, the conventional homogenization method is based on many assumptions and approximations, and some tough problems such as energy spectrum and boundary condition are faced. To deal with those problems, the Monte Carlo global homogenization is adopted. The Reactor Monte Carlo code RMC is used to study the global homogenization method, and the one-step global homogenization method is proposed. The superimposed mesh geometry is also used to divide the physical models, leading to better geometric flexibility. A set of multigroup homogenization cross sections is online generated for each mesh under the real neutron energy spectrum and boundary condition, the cross sections are adjusted by the superhomogenization method, and no leakage correction is required. During the process of superhomogenization, the author-developed reactor core program NLSP3 is used for global calculation, so the global flux distribution and equivalent homogenization cross sections could be solved simultaneously. Meanwhile, the calculated homogenization cross section could accurately reconstruct the non-homogenization flux distribution and could also be used for fine calculation. This one-step global homogenization method was tested by a PWR assembly and a small reactor model, and the results show the validity. Keywords: global homogenization method, Superhomogenization theory, RMC code, NLSP3 code