Using Deterministic Methods for Research Reactor Studies

Abstract

As an alternative to prohibitive Monte Carlo simulations, deterministic methods can be used to simulate research reactors. Using various microscopic cross section libraries currently available in Canada, flux distributions were obtained from DRAGON cell and supercell transport calculations. Then, homogenization/condensation is done to produce few-group nuclear properties, and diffusion calculations were performed using DONJON core models. In this paper, the multigroup modular environment of the code DONJON is presented, and the various steps required in the modelling of SLOWPOKE hexagonal cores are described. Numerical simulations are also compared with experimental data available for the EPM Slowpoke reactor.