“Full-Core” VVER-440 extended calculation benchmark

Abstract

Abstract This work deals with “Full-Core” VVER-440 extended calculation benchmark which was proposed on the 24th Symposium of AER in October 2014 [2]. This benchmark is based on calculation benchmark defined by ŠKODA JS a.s. on the 21st Symposium of AER in 2011 [1]. This benchmark differs from the first “Full-Core” VVER-440 benchmark in use of control rods from group No. 6. Reason why these benchmarks exist is problematic validation of power distribution predicted by macro-code on the pin by pin level against experimental data. This new benchmark is also a 2D calculation benchmark based on the VVER-440 reactor core cold state geometry with taking into account the geometry of explicit radial reflector. Loading pattern for this core is very similar to the first pattern of the Mochovce NPP. This core is filled with fuel assemblies with enrichment of 1.6%w 235U, 2.4%w 235U and 4.25%w 235U. The main task of this benchmark is to test the pin by pin power distribution in fuel assemblies predicted by macro-codes that are used for neutron-physics calculations especially for VVER reactors. The reference solution has been calculated by MCNP6 code using Monte Carlo method and the results have been published in the AER community. The results of reference calculation were presented on the 27th Symposium of AER in 2017 [3]. In this paper is presented comparison of available macro-codes results for this calculation benchmark.