BEAVRS: An integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measurements and uncertainties. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Shikhar; Liang, Jingang; Forget, Benoit; Smith, Kord
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 129(2021)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: BEAVRS -- Full-core reactor benchmark -- Uncertainty quantification -- Time series analysis -- Tilt-correction -- Validation; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2020.103488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract: The BEAVRS benchmark was proposed in 2013 to serve as a non-proprietary benchmark based on measured reactor data to validate high-fidelity reactor simulation methods. In its third version release, the benchmark now includes an open source repository to provide users all source files related to BEAVRS. This version will also contain complete documentation of the uncertainty quantification work conducted. As part of this process, this paper elaborates on a systematic approach to quantifying the uncertainty that arises from using radial tilt-corrected data to compare BEAVRS data to simulated data. These uncertainty metrics are combined with model fitting uncertainties from fitting simulation model trends to BEAVRS data in order to compute overall time-dependent uncertainty of fission reaction rates. It is found that axially-integrated fission chamber time-dependent 95% uncertainty values are 1.8% and 1.9% for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 respectively, which match well with results using traditional methods for uncertainty quantification. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Uncertainty in BEAVRS radial fission reaction rates is quantified. Traditional UQ methods and methods based on simulation model fitting agree closely. Uncertainty in using tilt-corrected BEAVRS data is assessed.