Evolution of physics parameters over a cycle of the SCWR

A number of reactor physics phenomena have been observed in a recent sensitivity study of the Canadian Super Critical Water-cooled Reactor (SCWR), using a quarter-core TSUNAMI/KENOV.a model, along the duration of its cycle. Using data from the recent study, sensitivities which varied the most over the SCWR's cycle are explained, drawing from the PARCS diffusion code, and the TRITON/NEWT lattice/depletion code, which aided in constructing the KENO V.a model. It has been found that a reduction in fissile content in the core reduces the effectiveness of moderation by¹H; and that spatial and energy self-shielding play a major role in how the burnable absorbers are depleted, and how they contribute to keff.