Neutronics analysis of PWR core using DRAGON, TRIVAC, and DONJON computer codes

Abstract Operation of NPP has potential of nuclear hazard and radiation hazard. Therefore, all efforts are absolutely needed to be performed to ensure the safety of NPP operation. Neutronics analysis has important role in ensuring that safety aspect. In neutronics analysis, computer codes that could well simulate the neutronics condition in reactor core are needed. In this paper, neutronics analysis of 2652 MWt PWR core has been performed using DRAGON, TRIVAC, and DONJON computer codes. The purpose of simulation is to conduct the calculation of neutronics parameters which are important for safety. The neutronics analyses was conducted in two stages, i.e. cell calculation using DRAGON and full core calculation using TRIVAC and DONJON. For verification, the comparation between the calculation results of DRAGON, TRIVAC, and DONJON, and those of other computer codes results found in literature was performed. The effective multiplication factors calculated by DONJON for conditions where all control rods were fully up and fully down, and for ‘one stuck rod’ condition were 1.23399, 0.69705, and 0.91340, respectively. The core maximum power and average power were found to be 21166.1 kW and 16891.7 kW, respectively, with the power peaking factor of 1.2530. The maximum and average neutron fluxes in the core were 4.019038E+14 n/cm2s and 9.035312E+13 n/cm2s, respectively. The results of fuel cell calculation using DRAGON and the full core calculation using TRIVAC and DONJON have the differences of 4% and 1.3%, respectively, compared to the calculation results using other computer codes. This research shows that DRAGON, TRIVAC, and DONJON have capabilities to perform the calculation of neutronics parameters for NPP, specifically PWR type.