WIMS-AECLIRFSP Code Validation of Reactivity Calculations Following a Long Shutdown Using the Simple-Cell History-Based Method

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis is to validate the Reactor Fueling Simulation Program (RFSP) using the simple-cell model (SCM) history-based method in a startup simulation following a reactor shutdown period. This study is pan of the validation work for history-based calculations, using the WIMS - AECL code with the ENDF/B-V library, and the SCM linked to die RFSP code. In this work, the RFSP code with the SCM history-based method was used to track a 1-year period of the Point Lepreau reactor operating history, that included a 12-day reactor shutdown and subsequent startup. Measured boron and gadolinium concentrations were used in the RFSP simulations, and the predicted values of core reactivity were compared to the reference (pre-shutdown) value. The discrepancies ill core reactivity are shown to be better than +/- 2 milli-k at any time, and better than about +/- 0.5 milli-k towards the end of the startup transient. The results of this analysis also show that the calculated maximum channel and bundle powers are within an acceptable range during both the core-follow and the reactor startup simulations.