3D CORE CALCULATION BASED ON THE METHOD OF DYNAMIC HOMOGENIZATION

Abstract

The classical two-step calculation scheme has been extensively used to perform three-dimensional deterministic core calculations thanks to its fast results. On the other hand, direct 3D transport calculations and 2D/1D Fusion methods, mostly based on the method of characteristics, have recently been applied showing a prohibitive computational time for routine design purposes as well as in the context of multiphysics and core depletion calculations, due to current machine capabilities. The Dynamic Homogenization method is here proposed as an alternative technique that may lie between the classical and the direct approaches in terms of precision and performance. In this work, the method is applied to the NEA ”PWR MOX/UO2 Core Benchmark” for a 3D configuration. Comparison of pin power relative errors and computational cost against the two-step and direct approaches are presented.

Keywords

• core calculations
• dynamic homogenization
• domain decomposition
• pwr
• apollo3®