Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for UO2 and MOX fueled PWR cells. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foad, Basma; Takeda, Toshikazu
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 75(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 595
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Sensitivity -- Uncertainty -- IR approximation -- Self-shielding -- PWR; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2014.08.068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: A method for calculating sensitivity coefficients has been improved. The IR approximation was used in order to get accurate results. Sensitivities and uncertainties are calculated using the improved method. The method is applied for UO 2 and MOX fueled PWR cells. The verification was performed by comparing our results with MCNP6 and TSUNAMI-1D. Abstract: This paper discusses the improvement of a method for calculating sensitivity coefficients of neutronics parameters relative to infinite dilution cross-sections because the conventional method neglects resonance self-shielding effect. In this study, the self-shielding effect is taken into account by using the intermediate resonance approximation in order to get accurate results in both high and low energy groups. The improved method is applied to calculate sensitivity coefficients and uncertainties of eigenvalue responses for UO 2 and MOX ( ThO 2 – UO 2 and PuO 2 – UO 2 ) fueled pressurized water reactor cells. The verification of the improved method was performed by comparing the sensitivities with MCNP6 and TSUNAMI-1D. For uncertainty, calculation comparisons were done with TSUNAMI-1D, and we demonstrate that the differences are caused by the use of different covariance matrices.