Numerical stability of the predictor-corrector method in Monte Carlo burnup calculations of critical reactors

Jan Dufek; Dan Kotlyar; Eugene Shwageraus; Jaakko Leppänen

doi:10.1016/j.anucene.2013.01.018

Numerical stability of the predictor-corrector method in Monte Carlo burnup calculations of critical reactors

Jan Dufek, Dan Kotlyar, Eugene Shwageraus, Jaakko Leppänen

Unit of Nuclear Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Monte Carlo burnup codes use various schemes to solve the coupled criticality and burnup equations. Previous studies have shown that the simplest methods, such as the beginning-of-step and middle-of-step constant flux approximations, are numerically unstable in fuel cycle calculations of critical reactors. Here we show that even the predictor-corrector methods that are implemented in established Monte Carlo burnup codes can be numerically unstable in cycle calculations of large systems.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	34-38
Number of pages	5
Journal	Annals of Nuclear Energy
Volume	56
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2013.01.018
State	Published - 18 Feb 2013

Keywords

Monte Carlo burnup calculations
Numerical stability
Predictor-corrector method

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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10.1016/j.anucene.2013.01.018

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title = "Numerical stability of the predictor-corrector method in Monte Carlo burnup calculations of critical reactors",

abstract = "Monte Carlo burnup codes use various schemes to solve the coupled criticality and burnup equations. Previous studies have shown that the simplest methods, such as the beginning-of-step and middle-of-step constant flux approximations, are numerically unstable in fuel cycle calculations of critical reactors. Here we show that even the predictor-corrector methods that are implemented in established Monte Carlo burnup codes can be numerically unstable in cycle calculations of large systems.",

keywords = "Monte Carlo burnup calculations, Numerical stability, Predictor-corrector method",

author = "Jan Dufek and Dan Kotlyar and Eugene Shwageraus and Jaakko Lepp{\"a}nen",

note = "Funding Information: This work was funded by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the European Commission under the High Performance Monte Carlo Reactor Core Analysis (HPMC) Project, within the 7th EU Framework Program, Project Number 295971.",

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T1 - Numerical stability of the predictor-corrector method in Monte Carlo burnup calculations of critical reactors

AU - Dufek, Jan

AU - Kotlyar, Dan

AU - Shwageraus, Eugene

AU - Leppänen, Jaakko

N1 - Funding Information: This work was funded by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the European Commission under the High Performance Monte Carlo Reactor Core Analysis (HPMC) Project, within the 7th EU Framework Program, Project Number 295971.

PY - 2013/2/18

Y1 - 2013/2/18

N2 - Monte Carlo burnup codes use various schemes to solve the coupled criticality and burnup equations. Previous studies have shown that the simplest methods, such as the beginning-of-step and middle-of-step constant flux approximations, are numerically unstable in fuel cycle calculations of critical reactors. Here we show that even the predictor-corrector methods that are implemented in established Monte Carlo burnup codes can be numerically unstable in cycle calculations of large systems.

AB - Monte Carlo burnup codes use various schemes to solve the coupled criticality and burnup equations. Previous studies have shown that the simplest methods, such as the beginning-of-step and middle-of-step constant flux approximations, are numerically unstable in fuel cycle calculations of critical reactors. Here we show that even the predictor-corrector methods that are implemented in established Monte Carlo burnup codes can be numerically unstable in cycle calculations of large systems.

KW - Monte Carlo burnup calculations

KW - Numerical stability

KW - Predictor-corrector method

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84873688492&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.anucene.2013.01.018

DO - 10.1016/j.anucene.2013.01.018

M3 - Article

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SN - 0306-4549

VL - 56

SP - 34

EP - 38

JO - Annals of Nuclear Energy

JF - Annals of Nuclear Energy

ER -

Numerical stability of the predictor-corrector method in Monte Carlo burnup calculations of critical reactors

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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