OSCAR-4 CODE SYSTEM COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS WITH A FIRST-ORDER SEMI-EMPIRICAL METHOD FOR CORE-FOLLOW DEPLETION CALCULATION IN MNR

Knowledge of the isotopic composition of a nuclear reactor core is important for accurate core-follow and reload analysis. In the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, fuel depletion estimates are based upon a semi-empirical calculation using flux-wire measurements. These estimates are used to plan and guide fuelling operations. To further support operations, an OSCAR-4 model is being developed. To evaluate the performance of the OSCAR-4 code for this application, 2 points of comparison, considering the period between 2007 and 2010, are presented: (i) the multiplication factor k eff and (ii) U-235 fuel inventory. The latter is compared with a simple first-order semi-empirical calculation. The calculation of k eff for the last operational 3 months yields 0.997 ± 0.002 (vs. 1.000 for an operating reactor), and differences in both core-average inventory and the maximum standard fuel assembly inventories estimates are found to be 5.7% and 7.5%, respectively.