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Journals / Avrupa Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 38

The Investigation of the Sensitivity of Monte Carlo Simulation Results to Modelling Approaches for Nuclear Reactor Cores

Monte Carlo Simülasyon Sonuçlarının Nükleer Reaktör Kalp Modelleme Yaklaşımlarına Duyarlılığının Araştırılması

Mohammad Allaf(The University of Tokyo)0000-0002-4162-8975
Senem Şentürk Lüle(ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6632-5831
Üner Çolak(İSTANBUL TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-9293-6065
Pages
110–115
Publication Date
2022-08-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

It was also concluded that users of the deterministic codes should be aware of the fact that the simplifications in geometry and fuel composition in the core will result in significant deviation from the reality.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Monte Carlo simulations provide accurate results for the neutronic response of the system under consideration if modeling is performed appropriately since it has great influence on the results.
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Key Findings & Data:It was observed that the handling of fuel composition in different ways did not influence the results significantly (up to 11.1 cents in reactivity).
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Conclusion & Impact:It was also concluded that users of the deterministic codes should be aware of the fact that the simplifications in geometry and fuel composition in the core will result in significant deviation from the reality.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Kritiklik · Monte Carlo · Nötronik Analiz

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations provide accurate results for the neutronic response of the system under consideration if modeling is performed appropriately since it has great influence on the results. Sensitivity analysis of modeling approaches for geometry and fissile material composition distributions in the reactor core was performed by taking ITU TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor into consideration. The method of defining fuel element positions in the core by using circular or hexagonal lattice was considered as one case and three different methods of lumping material compositions in the fuel elements was considered as another case since these approaches are used by deterministic codes hence the accuracy of deterministic codes were also investigated. The validation study showed that both MCNP and Serpent Monte Carlo codes resulted in good agreement with the experimental data. It was observed that the handling of fuel composition in different ways did not influence the results significantly (up to 11.1 cents in reactivity). However, the influence of fuel arrangement is more pronounced (deviation in reactivity calculations is around 1$). These deviations at the results may affect the nuclear safety conclusion of reactors having small shutdown margins. It was also concluded that users of the deterministic codes should be aware of the fact that the simplifications in geometry and fuel composition in the core will result in significant deviation from the reality.

Özet

Monte Carlo benzetimleri, modelleme uygun şekilde yapılırsa söz konusu sistemin nötronik tepkisinin tahmininde doğru sonuçlar verir. Yakıt elemanlarında geometri ve bölünebilir malzeme bileşimlerinin dağılımının modellenmesinde kullanılabilecek yaklaşımlarının duyarlılığı İTÜ TRIGA Mark II Araştırma Reaktörü kullanılarak araştırılmıştır. Dairesel veya altıgen kafes kullanarak kalpteki yakıt elemanı konumlarını belirleme yöntemi bir durum, yakıt elemanlarındaki malzeme bileşimlerinin grup olarak toplanması için üç farklı yöntem diğer bir durum olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Böylece, sıklıkla bu yaklaşımları kullanan deterministik kodların da duyarlılığı araştırılmıştır. Doğrulama çalışması, hem MCNP hem de Serpent Monte Carlo kodlarının sonuçlarının deneysel verilere iyi bir uyum sağladığını göstermiştir. Yakıt bileşiminin farklı şekillerde ele alınmasının sonuçları önemli ölçüde etkilemediği (reaktivitede maksimum 11,1 cent) gözlenmiştir. Ancak yakıt elemanı konum modelleme yaklaşımının etkisi daha belirgindir (reaktivitede maksimum 1 $). Sonuçlardaki bu sapmalar, küçük kapatma marjlarına sahip reaktörlerin nükleer güvenlik değerlendirmelerini etkileyebilir. Deterministik kodların kullanıcılarının, kalpteki geometri ve yakıt bileşimindeki basitleştirmelerin sonuçlarda önemli ölçüde sapmaya neden olacağı gerçeğinin farkında olması gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Allaf, M., Lüle, S. Ş., Çolak, Ü. (2022). The Investigation of the Sensitivity of Monte Carlo Simulation Results to Modelling Approaches for Nuclear Reactor Cores. Avrupa Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, Sayı: 38, 110–115. https://doi.org/10.31590/ejosat.1065944

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