PIRS: Python-based framework for coupled MC-TH reactor calculations

We develop a set of Python packages to provide a modern programming interface to codes used for analysis of nuclear reactors. Currently implemented interfaces to the Monte Carlo (MC) neutronics code MCNP and thermo-hydraulic (TH) code SCF allow efficient description of calculation models and provide a framework for coupled calculations. In this paper we illustrate how these interfaces can be used to describe a pin model, and report results of coupled MCNP-SCF calculations performed for a PWR fuel assembly, organized by means of the interfaces

Simulation of low-enriched uranium burnup in Russian VVER-1000 reactors with the Serpent Monte-Carlo code

This work deals with the assessment of the burnup capabilities of the Serpent Monte Carlo code to predict spent nuclear fuel (SNF) isotopic concentrations for low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel at different burnup levels up to 47 MWd/kgU. The irradiation of six UO2 experimental samples in three different VVER-1000 reactor units has been simulated and the predicted concentrations of actinides up to 244Cm have been compared with the corresponding measured values. The results show a global good agreement between calculated and experimental concentrations, in several cases within the margins of the nuclear data uncertainties and in a few cases even within the reported experimental uncertainties. The differences in the performances of the JEFF3.1.1, ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data libraries (NDLs) have also been assessed and the use of the newly released ENDF/B-VIII.0 library has shown an increased accuracy in the prediction of the C/E\u27s for some of the actinides considered, particularly for the plutonium isotopes. This work represents a step forward towards the validation of advanced simulation tools against post irradiation experimental data and the obtained results provide an evidence of the capabilities of the Serpent Monte-Carlo code with the associated modern NDLs to accurately compute SNF nuclide inventory concentrations for VVER-1000 type reactors