Macroscopic cross section generation with WIMS-ANL for a PWR

Abstract

Based on the BEAVRS Benchmark (Benchmark for Evaluation And Validation of Reactor Simulations) which contains reference specifications for operational data and measurements for a pressurized water reactor (PWR), it presents a model for obtaining macroscopic cross sections for the different fuels assemblies of BEAVRS using the WIMS-ANL. The microscopic cross section data library used was ENDF/B-VI. For the cross-section calculation method, the multicellular model approach was considered, and the results were compared with other reference works. This methodology aims to validate the model of calculation of the cross sections, and thus, evaluate whether such methodology generates valid results. Also, in this work, the macroscopic cross-sections generated by WIMS were used to simulate the reactor core of a typical PWR in PARCS. All calculations were made for the reactor's Hot Zero Power status and the first cycle of operation.