A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor

Christian Castagna; Davide Chiesa; Antonio Cammi; Sara Boarin; Ezio Previtali; Monica Sisti; Massimiliano Nastasi; Andrea Salvini; Giovanni Magrotti; Michele Prata

doi:10.1016/j.anucene.2017.11.011

arXiv · 1707.05194

A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor

Christian Castagna·Davide Chiesa·Antonio Cammi·Sara Boarin·Ezio Previtali·Monica Sisti·Massimiliano Nastasi·Andrea Salvini·Giovanni Magrotti·Michele Prata

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Abstract

We present a new model, developed with the Serpent Monte Carlo code, for neutronics simulation of the TRIGA Mark II reactor of Pavia (Italy). The complete 3D geometry of the reactor core is implemented with high accuracy and detail, exploiting all the available information about geometry and materials. The Serpent model of the reactor is validated in the fresh fuel configuration, through a benchmark analysis of the first criticality experiments and control rods calibrations. The accuracy of simulations in reproducing the reactivity difference between the low power (10 W) and full power (250 kW) reactor condition is also tested. Finally, a direct comparison between Serpent and MCNP simulations of the same reactor configurations is presented.

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Christian Castagna, Davide Chiesa, Antonio Cammi, Sara Boarin, Ezio Previtali, Monica Sisti, Massimiliano Nastasi, Andrea Salvini, Giovanni Magrotti, Michele Prata. 2017-07-17. A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2017.11.011

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